Middle and High Schoolers Explore STEM and Build Community at George Mason’s FOCUS 2025
Robots, perfumes, and metal that changes color. This past July, middle and high school students dove into the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and math during FOCUS’s annual STEM Camp and Academy. The immersive experience is designed to spark curiosity and showcase the wide range of STEM career paths, all while building confidence and community.
The program includes two tracks: a STEM Camp for middle schoolers and a more advanced Academy for high school students. Both are packed with hands-on workshops, expert panels, and engaging activities.
The FOCUS Camp welcomed 25 rising sixth- through eighth-grade students, including some who traveled from as far as Texas, for a week of interactive STEM learning. From expert discussions to creative experiments, participants collaborated on projects like designing custom perfumes using chemistry principles and altering the color of metals using battery voltage and electrolyte solutions.
“I signed up for FOCUS because I wanted to meet more kids who really like math,” said middle school student Charlotte C.H., who dreams of working as a mathematician for NASA. Her favorite activity? The panel of scientific experts that included NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow Natasha Latouf, PhD Physics ’25 and NASA Datanaut, CEO, Chief Space Officer and Founder of Planetary Systems AI, Cindy Chin.
“I loved getting the chance to ask them directly about working at NASA and how the application process works.”
Fellow participant Nia W. joined to explore the wide range of STEM opportunities. Her favorite part of the day was the morning sessions, when counselors introduced the daily theme.
“Each day was different,” Nia said. “I liked how we got to learn about all the parts of STEM, not just one thing.”
Charlotte and Nia had only one complaint—the program should be longer.
“I wish it was two weeks so we could get even more chances to do experiments within each letter of STEM,” Nia added.
While younger students explored the foundations of science and technology, older participants tackled more advanced topics through the FOCUS Academy, a college-style experience for high schoolers. Another 25 students took part in workshops on forensic science, chemistry, bioinformatics, mathematics, and astronomy—areas of specialization at George Mason University. The Academy also incorporates college prep, goal setting, and sessions designed to build leadership, social confidence, and overall wellness.
High school junior Dinah D. has attended FOCUS every summer since her freshman year. Interested in veterinary science, Dinah said the program has helped expand her perspective.
“I love going to the workshops and doing experiments with the George Mason professors,” she said. “I really love the FOCUS community. Every year I’m surrounded by love and positivity, and I feel comfortable being myself around people who share my interests.”
“It’s a great way to learn about STEM, especially if you don’t have classes offered in your school or opportunities to branch out,” Dinah said.
Whether discovering a new passion, meeting like-minded peers, or envisioning a future in science, FOCUS continues to empower the next generation, one experiment at a time.
