FOCUS

FOCUS offers hands-on STEM workshops, leadership training, and college preparation for middle and high school students*

FOCUS CampJuly 14-18

A five day, nonresidential camp for middle school students on the Fairfax campus. $150 per participant.

The FOCUS camp for middle school students is a week-long camp held on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University for rising 6th-8th graders. Each day the participants engage in four different interactive and hands-on STEM workshops. On the last day, the participants present what they learned in these workshops in a conference-style setting. Camp is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Drop-off in the morning begins at 9 a.m.

The 2025 FOCUS Camp is sold out. Join the waitlist.

FOCUS AcademyJuly 14-18

A five day residential camp for high schoolers on the Fairfax campus. $500 per participant.

The FOCUS Academy for high school students is a program designed to be more advanced and immersive in the college experience than the FOCUS middle school programs. The STEM workshops are lengthier and more advanced, along with other enhancement sessions such as college and SAT prep, goal setting, fitness classes, a farewell party, and more.

The participants stay in suite-style upperclassmen dorms which have two rooms connected by a bathroom. Two participants reside in each room. The FOCUS academy counselors and a 'dorm mom' (graduate student or senior leadership) stay in single rooms on the same floor as the participants. The $500 fee includes program, food, and lodging.

The 2025 FOCUS Academy is sold out. Join the waitlist.

FOCUS is changing lives

18%

Increase in interest in a STEM career by the end of camp

91%

Of participants report a better understanding of their career goals

96%

Of parents report the FOCUS camp had an impact on their child

More about FOCUS

In January 2014, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Claudette Davis, and Kelly Knight from the George Mason University STEM Accelerator Program partnered with Danielle Craddock, founder of GIRL, Inc., to launch the FOCUS program. Their original goal was to increase the participation of minoritized individuals in STEM, with a particular focus on women and women of color.

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.

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.