Get ready for VALHEN STEM Academy

Students and parents/legal guardians must complete, sign, and submit all required forms by the deadline, or your spot in the program will be given to a student on the waiting list.  Note: Our program is the VALHEN STEM Academy, our program dates are 7/24-7-26. On the Lab Risk form, when it asks for the PI, please list Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon.

Required forms must be completed by June 15. Most mandatory forms may be completed through the secure Mason Dynamic Forms Portal. All forms in the packet must be completed (Acknowledgement of Risk; Medical Authorization to Treat; Authorization for Drop-off/Pick-up; and Photo and Video Release).  

If you prefer to print/sign/submit your forms, please contact Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon at khilkerb@gmu.edu.

Bringing Prescription Medication? If YES, you need one more form! VALHEN staff does not dispense medication.  You must complete the Self-Administration of Medication form if you are bringing prescription or pharmacist-controlled (sold from behind the pharmacy counter) medications.  This form must be completed, signed by a health care provider, and submitted as a printable form (no virtual form option).  Obtain required signatures and email this completed form to stempath@gmu.edu by July 10.

Be sure to review the full STEM Academy Code of Conduct. You and your parent/guardian are required to complete and digitally sign the full code of conduct form.

Sign up for a pre-STEM Academy virtual Open House Session

Register for a pre-STEM Academy virtual open house on June 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. or July 11 from 4 to 5 p.m. to meet your fellow STEM Academy participants and the program staff.  Preview our schedule and engage in Q&A.  

If you have special dietary requirements or need any accommodations to fully participate in the STEM Academy, please contact Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon at khilkerb@gmu.edu no later than Wednesday, July 10.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES are strongly recommended. Please label your bottle with your name. Filling stations are located across campus.

LAPTOP COMPUTERS OR TABLETS are recommended for research and presentation development for the Global Sustainability Big Ideas Challenge session. Please make a record of your device serial number. A limited number of loaner devices will be available, which must be signed out and returned at the end of the program.  

DRESS for the HSA program is casual (please see Code of Conduct for more specific information). STEM buildings and labs can be quite cool, so we recommend packing a hoodie or light jacket (see packing list for more information). Long pants and close-toed shoes are required for Thursday’s Electrochemistry session, and you should consider bringing an umbrella as some activities are outside. Students are strongly encouraged to wear their HSA t-shirt on Friday for the Big Ideas session.

View complete packing list 

We strongly encourage you and your parent/guardian to sign up for Mason Alert to receive text messages about emergencies on campus and any changes to campus operations (severe weather and other alerts). To sign up, text “masonalert” to “226787”  and you will receive emergency text message notifications until you text STOP to 226787. This service is provided per the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 226787 to cancel or HELP for tech support.

View Mason’s full emergency preparedness and campus safety plan.

Please reach out to us with any questions at stempath@gmu.edu. 

RESIDENTIAL CHECK-IN will begin at 9:15 am on July 24, and all residential students should have completed their check in by 10:15 am. Students should come directly to Piedmont Hall on the Fairfax Campus (building 64 on the Campus Map). If you are driving to campus, please park in Rappahannock Parking Deck and bring your bags to the front lobby to check in at the registration table. Please arrive as early as possible during the check-in window, as this will allow sufficient time for you to check-in, unpack, and meet your roommate before we leave the dormitory at 10:50 am - Kickoff programming begins promptly at 11:00 am and we will not return to the dormitory until 9:15 pm!). Parents/guardians/visitors assisting with check-in may help deliver items to their student’s sleeping room, but must vacate Piedmont Hall by 10:30 am. Once check-in is completed, for security reasons no parents/guardians or any other visitors are permitted to enter the HSA dormitory for the duration of the program. If a parent/guardian needs to visit a participant on campus during the program, program staff will facilitate a meeting at a separate location.

RESIDENTIAL CHECK-OUT will begin at 3:15 pm on July 26, and all residential students should have signed out of the program no later than 4:15 pm. Students must remove all personal items, dispose of trash and recycling in provided receptacles, and return university-provided bedding/towels and their key card. Students will leave the awards ceremony and return to Piedmont Hall (building 64 on the Campus Map). If you are being picked up, please have your ride park in Rappahannock Parking Deck. Be sure to visit the check-out table in the Piedmont Hall Lobby before departing. Parents/guardians and other visitors assisting with check-out may enter the dormitory to help with clearing their student’s sleeping room, but participants and family/visitors must vacate Piedmont Hall by 4:15 pm.

Day-Only participants should report to the Johnson Center Bistro on the Fairfax Campus (building 30 on the Campus Map). The Bistro is on the bottom floor.  If you are being dropped off on campus, the best drop off location is to take Sandy Creek Way to York River Road, stop in front of Research Hall at the loading zone (building 50 on the Campus Map). From there it is a 3 to 5 minute walk up the hill past Exploratory and Enterprise Halls to the Johnson Center. Program staff will be available at both the Research Hall drop-off area and in the Bistro. 

Important: Students who are 14 and older may be given permission to self-check-in/check-out on the Authorization for Drop-off/Pick-up form. Select this option if 1) you will be traveling independently to/from the program or 2) you will be dropped off/picked up from campus Kiss and Ride style (where the driver remains within the vehicle). If the self-check option is not selected, a parent/guardian or other designated individual over the age of 16 listed on the student’s Authorization for Drop-off/Pick-up form will need to park and enter Exploratory Hall to show ID and check the participant in/out of the program daily. For those who prefer to check their student in and out, please utilize the free, 30 minute visitor parking available in the Shenandoah Parking Deck. 

Day One - July 24 Check In/Out Options:

Check-in Options
Program Check-in (Johnson Center - Bistro) 10:15 am to 10:45 am. 

Check-out Options
Before Dinner/Adventures in STEM – Gaming: 5:50-6:05 pm (Research Hall)
After Dinner/Adventures in STEM - Gaming: 7:40-7:55 pm (Research Hall), or

Day Two – July 25 Check In/Out Options:

Check-In Options
Join Residential Students for Breakfast: 8:15 a.m. (Johnson Center - Bistro), or 
No-Breakfast Option: 8:45 am – 8:55 am (Johnson Center - Bistro).

Check-Out Options

Before Dinner: 6:30 p.m. (Research Hall)
After Dinner: 7:30 p.m. (Research Hall)
After Optional Astronomy Night Session: 9:15 p.m. (Research Hall)

Day Three – July 28 Check In/Out

Check-In Options
Join Residential Students for Breakfast: 8:15 a.m. (Johnson Center - Bistro), or 
No-Breakfast Option: 8:45 am – 8:55 am (Johnson Center - Bistro).

Check-Out Option
Program Check-Out: 3:15 p.m. (Johnson Center - Bistro)

HOUSING is provided in Piedmont Residence Hall. All rooms include a bed, desk, and closet. Bed sheets, a pillow, and a blanket, as well as a hand towel, bath towel, and washcloth are provided for all participants. If you prefer, you may bring your own linens (Twin XL) and towels. Wireless internet is available.  Rooms are in traditional dormitory style, with two students per room with shared bathrooms. Students may not enter a sleeping room that is not their own. Staff will conduct room checks each night.

KEY CARDS will provide individual room access and are programmed to each student’s individual room. You are required to carry your key card at all times. Any student who loses this card will be charged a $25 replacement fee.

PROVIDED MEALS include lunch and dinner on Wednesday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Thursday, and breakfast and lunch on Friday. One mid-afternoon snack is provided daily. Additional snacks and drinks are available for purchase on campus and in vending machines in the residence halls (at the students’ expense). Students may also bring additional food items to the program, but all snacks must be in sealable/closed containers (single-serve pouches are recommended). Refrigeration is not available, except in cases of medical necessity (must notify program in advance). No nut-containing products (peanut butter, etc.) are permitted in sleeping rooms.

DIETARY NEEDS must be reported two weeks in advance of HSA. We will work with food vendors to accommodate dietary needs.

PROVIDED MEALS include lunch and dinner on Wednesday, (optional) breakfast, lunch, and (optional) dinner on Thursday, and (optional) breakfast and lunch on Friday. One mid-afternoon snack is also provided daily. Additional snacks and drinks are available for purchase on campus at the student’s expense. Students may bring additional food items to the program, but all snacks must be in sealable/closed containers (single-serve pouches are recommended). Refrigeration is not available, except in cases of medical necessity (must notify program in advance). No nut-containing products (peanut butter, etc.) or items containing shellfish are permitted at HSA.

DIETARY NEEDS must be reported two weeks in advance of HSA. We will work with food vendors to accommodate dietary needs.