Mason Space Exploration Center | GMU College of Science

Welcome to the Mason Space Exploration Center!

Founded in 2023, the Mason Space Exploration Center is a premier organization in Northern Virginia dedicated to providing immersive and educational space experiences for families. As a proud partner of George Mason University Observatories and the Department of Physics & Astronomy, we offer hands-on STEM activities that inspire the next generation of space explorers.

For more details and registration, please visit our program pages linked below. If you have any questions, our contact information is located on the sidebar to the left. We look forward to meeting you and your future space adventurers soon.

MSEC Summer Camp 2025

A week-long adventure filled with space exploration, STEM challenges, and unforgettable learning experiences.

If you would like to be added to the Summer 2025 Waitlist, use the TouchNet portal to sign up. Camp administration will contact you when registration opens around March.

Registration & More Information

MSEC Space Saturdays

Dive into space science with observatory tours, hands-on activities, and more. If you are interested in reserving a session for your school, scout troop, or similar, contact camp administration.

Registration & More Information

Campers face STEM challenges and develop innovative solutions to solve them

Three mission specialists discuss their latest design for an orbital rocket. One suggests putting the motors on the bottom of the rocket this time.

Thank You to Our Team and Sponsorships

We would like to thank the following staff for their hard work in this season's 2024 Space Summer Camp:

Ian Helm, Educational Program Manager

Center Marketing and Communications: Natasha Gilliam, Laura Powers, Zander Leon, and Tracy Mason

Center Development: Audrey Kelaher and team

A very special thank you to our friends at Inventr.io. This camp could not run without your generosity!

We'd also like to thank the following organizations and staff for helping "launch" the first 2023 Space Summer Camp:

Kevin Collins, Lead Flight Director

Center Marketing and Communications: Natasha Gilliam, Laura Powers, Zander Leon, and Tracy Mason

Center Development: Audrey Kelaher and team

Image Gallery

Several campers gather around a high-end computer in our Mission Control. They are having a lot of fun with math, it seems.. — Several campers are gathered around a high-end computer in the LANDOLT Mission Control Center. Our explorers use campus facilities to perform advanced calculations and use real-world hard skills like Microsoft Office Suite and C++.

A camper's virtual rocket has catastrophically failed on the launchpad. Next time, he will point the rocket up instead of down. — An explorer's first attempt a virtual rocket is not always their most successful -- so were NASA's first attempts at space travel. In rocket science, failure is a part of the standard developmental process (even explosively so).

A camper shows of their water rocket. Flight Director Apoorva is seen in the background happily aproving. — Campers constructed (and decorated!) water bottle rockets for launch. We partially used reused and recycled construction materials.

Flight Director Apoorva and a camper successfully launch a water rocket. It appears Apoorva is getting a faceful of rocket exhaust! — Campers launched their water rockets on the Observatory grounds. They additionally performed data analysis on their results to determine the relation between launch pressure and maximum height. Getting sprayed is a small price to pay for the experimental data.

A camper presents their construction of an LED transmitter using their Inventr.IO "30 Days Lost in Space" Arduino Kit. — Campers use the "30 Days Lost in Space" Arduino Kit by Inventr.IO. Registration for the online course can be done for free through Inventr's site.

A camper looks through the Solar Telescope at the Sun. It was very hot that day, and a bit unnerving to see the source of that heat magnified so much! — Two campers use the Solar Telescope to safely observe the Sun. Here, their project is to track the movement of sunspots.

Two campers high five after a successful mission for the day. — A resounding success for our mission specialists' rocket launch!

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.

Two campers collaborate on the depiction of Mercury for the Solar System Walk.

Camp Leadership

Executive DirectorAssociate Professor of Physics & Astronomy, George Mason Observatories Director

Peter Plavchan's research is supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation to study the formation and frequency of exoplanets, planets that orbit other stars. He has led the development of several NASA mission concepts.

Center Director for OutreachAssistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Director of Mason Observatories

Howdy! Rob Parks knew he wanted to become an astronomer in the 7th grade after reading about Dr. Vera Rubin's discovery of dark matter. While his specific interests within astronomy have changed over the years, his passion for learning what lies beyond our night sky never has.

Outreach Coordinator

Ian Helm is a proud George Mason University alum (BA Astronomy '23). He has had a lifelong interest in astronomy, and put his passion to work as part of Peter Plavchan's exoplanet research group. Ian also served as an Observatory Tour Guide for two years, participating in scientific outreach events across the local area, and previously served as a camp counselor for the Virginia Space Flight Academy on Wallops Island, Virginia. Large and in charge, Ian is coordinates the flight directors and camp curriculum to ensure a successful season.