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Several MSEC campers are gathered in front of Exploratory Hall. They are throwing colorful paper airplanes around the camera.
George Mason University

MSEC Space Saturdays

Mason Space Exploration Center

Phone Number
404-840-8361
Address

Attn: Mason Space Center

George Mason University

4400 University Dr. Stop 3F3

Planetary Hall 243

Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 US

Opportunities for adventure and learning with MSEC

Space Saturdays are a two-hour hands-on workshop where young space enthusiasts can explore an observatory, observe the Sun through a solar telescope, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to spark your child's curiosity and excitement about space.

A university student in a green shirt explains the instruments of the telescope to several middle schoolers.

Join us for Space Saturdays, a two-hour workshop designed to ignite your child’s passion for space and science. Each session offers a unique, hands-on experience that includes activities such as:

  • Explore one of the largest on-campus observatories on the East Coast, where your child will get a close-up look at cutting-edge space research.
  • Observing the Sun (with proper safety measures, of course) and its fascinating features using a state-of-the-art solar telescope.
  • Creating a scale model of the Solar System. Engage in an interactive activity where your child will create their very own scale model of the Solar System, learning about the vast distances and sizes of planets.
  • ...and more surprises!

New activities are on the horizon, making Space Saturday a must-attend event for young space enthusiasts. Don’t miss this opportunity to combine education with excitement—register now for Space Saturday and watch your child’s curiosity about the cosmos take flight.

Register for Space Saturdays.

Spend your weekend with MSEC

Registration:

Registrations for Space Saturday currently cost $30 per camper per block. Each Solar Saturday will be comprised of two Blocks, one AM Block from 10 a.m. to noon for Grades 4-6 and one PM block from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Grades 6-8. It is advised to not sign up for both blocks in one day, as activities will likely be similar between both sessions. Registration for all MSEC events is completed via the TouchNet Portal; please contact camp administration if you encounter any issues with the process.

Location:

Pickup and Dropoff will be held at Exploratory Hall. Recommended Parking is within the Shenandoah Parking Deck or Lot K. Follow instruction from both the MSEC FAQ and all materials given by MSEC Staff prior to the event date.
Grade Levels:

The recommended grade levels for this activity are 4-8. Registrants currently enrolled Grades 4-6 will be considered the "Junior Group" and registrants currently enrolled within Grades 6-8 will be considered for the "Senior Group". 

Grade Levels:

The recommended grade levels for this activity are 4-8. Registrants currently enrolled Grades 4-6 will be considered the "Junior Group" and registrants currently enrolled within Grades 6-8 will be considered for the "Senior Group". 

2025 Sessions and Availability

April 2025

Note: There will be a temporary change in staffing the first couple of weeks. For information and procedures regarding the Space Saturdays of April 5 and April 12, please contact Lead Flight Director Gabriella Whitefield.

DateCamper Positions
Available (AM)		Camper Positions
Available (PM)
April 5----
April 121515
April 191415
April 261515

Availability of Spring Sessions of Space Saturdays will continue to be updated weekly. As of this time, we are not planning on expanding the Space Saturdays program past May. However, we do plan to return the program with enough parent and school interest in September.

A Counselor and Camper are observing the Sun to spot the spots causing the recent aurora sightings. The camper has turned to the camera with a surpised look.
A camper and counselor use the virtual planetarium software together.
A camper views a Saturn POV of its ring system in the virtual planetarium.
A camper prepares a recreation of Venus to use the scaled Solar System.
Two campers collaborate on the depiction of Mercury for the Solar System Walk.
A camper takes a big aura step from (modeled) Venus to Earth. He is grinning nearly from ear to ear.
Two campers place down the final planet* Pluto in Exploratory Hall, over 75 meters away from the Sun.
A Counselor and Camper view upcoming celestial events in the Stellarium Planetarium.
A camper observes the Sun through the filtered Lund telescope. Her shadow and the telescope's are cast upon the wall of the observatory.
A camper uses the virtual planetarium to see the moons of Jupiter.
A camper's virtual rocket creation appears to have forgotten which direction space is. It scrapes across the ground with fire erupting from its motors. The camper is elated by this.
A camper performs a series of calculations on a whiteboard.
Two campers and their director are interrupted in drawing Pluto by a Starship Delivery Robot.
Campers and Counselors line up to begin measurements of their outdoor solar system model.
The campers and two counselors count the readout on a tape measure to the distance of Mars in their model.
The campers and a conselor measure out the distance between the Sun and Venus in the model using a tape measure.
The camper's finished depiction of Jupiter

Camp Location

Exploratory Hall with snow on the ground

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.