K-12 STEM Programs

FOCUS Camp
August 1 – 5, 2022

Technology and innovation take center stage at this week-long camp for rising 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade girls. Participants exercise their critical thinking skills and engage in creative problem-solving activities that foster interests in technology, engineering, forensic sciences and mathematics.

Register here or contact Kelly Knight at kknight6@gmu.edu for further information.

FOCUS Academy for High School Students
The FOCUS Academy will return in 2023.

This is a hands-on, residential camp with STEM workshops and professional development activities that prepare students for college. Priority is given to alumnae of the FOCUS Camp.

ASSIP

June 21 - August 11

For students 16+. ASSIP was established for high school and undergraduate students who are passionate about science and eager to gain practical science, technology, engineering and math experience. Selected students work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University and collaborating institutions using state-of-the-art technology to solve hypothesis-driven questions.

ASSIP Young Researchers (ASSIP-YR) — Students 13 – 15

ASSIP-YR is a mentor-differentiated, non-wet lab research experience for academically advanced younger students. Students will be admitted by application and mentor interview. Visit assip.cos.gmu.edu to learn more.

The Global STEM Scholars Program (GSSP) is a collaboration between the George Mason University College of Science, the International Development Institute (IDI), and high schools across the globe to provide a four to five day rigorous and immersive STEM experience for cohorts of secondary students from developing nations.

Find our more about the program or contact learn about partnering with Mason and IDI by contacting Kerin Hilker-Balkisoon.

STEM Bridge Camp

July 5 - July 29

Before classes start in August, this week-long residential camp welcomes incoming students with lab experiences, exam preparation, and lectures by Mason faculty. Students attend advising and career sessions, while working and living with other Mason STEM accepted freshmen. The Boot Camp has two available tracks: biology/chemistry and math/physical sciences/engineering. Note that these tracks are appropriate for all science, math, and engineering majors, not just those in biology, chemistry, or mathematics.

Math Boot Camp

July 11 - July 15

The Math Bootcamp aims to improve math placement scores and prepare students for college math courses. During the 5-day residential camp, students are assembled into small working groups based on skill level to obtain deeper understanding of mathematical concepts in algebra, trigonometry or calculus. Math professors, graduate students and undergraduate learning assistants will provide guidance and support to each camp attendee. On the first day (if needed) and last day of camp, students will have the opportunity to take the math placement test.  Participation in the camp adds one additional opportunity to the Mason two-attempt limit (max 3, total). 

The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park is a collaborative venture between three local public school systems, including Manassas City, Manassas Park City and Prince William County, hosted at George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus. The College of Science is the University partner with the Governor’s School.

How it Works
High school students attend classes five days a week on George Mason’s Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus each morning, and then return to their base high schools in the afternoon to complete the rest of their classes. They have dual enrollment at their high schools and at Mason. They will earn at least 12, and potentially up to 32 Mason credits. All courses are taught by experienced teachers from the Prince William County school system who underwent a vetting process to become affiliated with Mason.

Course Disciplines
The Governor’s School students choose physics, chemistry, or biology as the science ‘strand’ for the two-year program, before graduating from high school with a Virginia advanced studies diploma. In 2013-2014, The Volgenau School of Engineering developed Mason courses for some students to take at The Governor’s School. All students complete Mason undergraduate mathematics courses. Many conduct research with the assistance of Mason faculty.

Who are We
Padmanabhan Seshaiyer (Padhu) is the contact for Mason faculty to collaborate with the school. He is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Mason faculty members are invited to mentor gifted students in authentic research experiences, and/or to give guest lectures at the Governor’s School. Reid Schwebach, a Mason Science STEM Accelerator faculty, Rachel Cleaver, the University associate director of K-12 Partnerships, and Elena Johnson, the Director of the Washington Scholars Program and Partnerships, are members of the Governor’s School Executive Committee who work with the Director of the Governor’s School, Jason Calhoun, as well as the public school systems to help oversee the Governor’s School operations.

Padhu and Janette Muir, from Mason Provost’s Office, participate in the school’s top-tier school oversight committees, which are organized by the public school systems. The Governor’s School Advisory Committee includes Reid Schwebach (STEM Accelerator Program), John Schreifels (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Larry Rockwood (Biology), Mike Summers (Physics), and Robert Sachs (Mathematical Sciences).

For further information about the Governor’s School, please contact Padhu Seshaiyer at pseshaiy@gmu.edu, or Reid Schwebach at  jschweba@gmu.edu.