Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM (FOCUS)

In January of 2014, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Claudette Davis, and Kelly Knight of the George Mason University STEM Accelerator Program and Danielle Craddock, founder of GIRL, Inc, joined together to create Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM (FOCUS). FOCUS is a week-long camp which exposes students to a variety of disciplines within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

The camp is presented in a fun, hands-on, intellectually stimulating format designed to elevate their interests again. The first four days focuses on a different “letter” of the STEM acronym. On day five, the participants have an opportunity to collaborate with their groups and present one of the topics from the week in a poster session with invited faculty, students, and family. There is also a “Leadership and Entrepreneurship” component to FOCUS which gives the students an opportunity to meet successful women who currently work for leading organizations and/or own their own businesses. 

In July of 2014, the camp launched with 19 students and 4 learning assistants who served as mentors/counselors for the camp participants. The camp was a huge success. The positive feedback received from the parents and the students was overwhelming. In December of 2014, the STEM Accelerator program was awarded a grant in the amount of $20,000 from the Northern Virginia’s Business Women’s Giving Circle to expand the FOCUS program. With those funds, the cost was reduced almost 60% for the 2015 camp. The funds also allowed the program to grow significantly to 75 students and 20 counselors. 

With $20,000 in funding received from Battelle Corporation and $1000 from VA Bio, the FOCUS camp grew to 93 students and 22 undergraduate learning assistants in 2016. The Battelle Corporation financially supported the program in 2017 and 2018 as well. In 2017, we reached our goal of 100 students and 24 undergraduate learning assistants.

As FOCUS camp participants began to outgrow the middle school program, we received numerous requests to begin a high school program, therefore, in 2018, the FOCUS Academy residential program was introduced. With $20,000 in financial support from the Business Women's Giving Circle again, twenty-five high school girls, primarily FOCUS middle school camp alumni, stayed on the George Mason University campus and became fully immersed in the college experience. Each day they participated in various activities including: advanced, hands-on STEM workshops, college prep and goal setting sessions, a career panel, and other exciting activities.

In addition to the senior leadership team, we have a 1:5 ratio of undergraduate counselors to participant in both the middle and high school FOCUS programs. Our counselors are STEM majors, many of whom are interested in becoming STEM educators themselves.

All of our workshops and sessions are led by George Mason University faculty and other discipline-specific experts from outside of the University. 

Contact Kelly Knight at kknight6@gmu.edu to become a FOCUS counselor.

• To provide middle and high school students with a unique educational and social enrichment opportunity 
• To provide positive role models and experiences with STEM that will increase their confidence level in their knowledge, skills, and competencies in STEM
• To increase their interest in STEM
• To help them to better understand their career goals

FOCUS Camp

On the first day of camp, parents are invited to attend the opening session during which we will introduce ourselves to the participants, expectations for the week are discussed, and they will meet their counselors for the week. 

Lunch each day is buffet-style which offers many food options including vegetarian and gluten-free foods. The dining hall is made aware of participant allergies ahead of time but if there are any concerns, we recommend that participants with severe food allergies pack a lunch that does not require refrigeration. Participants are permitted to bring snacks to eat during breaks.

Participants will have many workshops in laboratories so they should wear closed-toe shoes and long shorts/pants. Participants not dressed appropriately will not be permitted in any workshops held in laboratories.

Participants are allowed to keep their cell phones with them during camp but they are asked not to use them during workshops out of respect for the presenters and their fellow participants.

Following camp registration and payment, you will receive an information packet with more detailed information regarding camp via email. Also, please remember to complete all camp forms in order to finalize your registration.

If participants will be self-administering any medication (i.e. EpiPen, etc.), please be sure to complete the self-administration of medication form as well.​

FOCUS Academy

On the first day of the Academy, parents are invited to attend the opening session during which we will introduce ourselves to the participants, expectations for the week are discussed, and they will meet their counselors for the week. 

During the Academy, participants will reside in suite-style dormitory. Room assignments will be given upon arrival; rooms are double occupancy. Academy Counselors will perform room checks each night.

Academy participants are not permitted to invite guests who are not a part of the Academy to the dormitory. This is a violation of our housing policy that will result in their IMMEDIATE removal from the Academy.

Participants are required to provide their own linens and toiletries for the duration of their stay.

Participants will have many workshops in laboratories so plan to bring closed-toe shoes and long shorts/pants. Participants not dressed appropriately will not be permitted in any workshops held in laboratories.  There may also be a fitness class (optional) so at least one activewear outfit is recommended as well.

Participants are allowed to keep their cell phones with them during camp but they are asked not to use them during workshops out of respect for the presenters and their fellow participants.

Following camp registration and payment, you will receive an information packet with more detailed information regarding camp via email.  Also, please remember to complete all camp forms in order to finalize your registration.