College Preparatory: Early Identification Program (EIP)
Contact: eip@gmu.edu, 703-993-3120
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: The Early Identification Program (EIP) serves as the college preparatory program at George Mason University. EIP empowers students to achieve their goal of attaining higher education and succeeding once there. Our aim is to educate the whole student. We provide year-round academic enrichment, personal and social development, civic engagement, and leadership training opportunities.
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Conflict Resolution: Conflict Resolution Youth Summit
Contact: Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, ugradcar@gmu.edu, 703-993-4165
Location: Fairfax Campus (In-Person)
Age/Grade Levels: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Description: The Conflict Resolution Youth Summit explores some of today's toughest problems through the lens of peace and conflict resolution. It spans four evenings on the George Mason University Fairfax Campus. Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are invited to connect with other students from varied backgrounds with common interests and goals.
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Conservation: Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation Summer Programs
Age/Grade Level(s): High school; exact grade level is determined by the course
Location: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia (in-person course only)
In-person or virtual: Both in-person and virtual programs are available
Contact number: 540-635-0115
Contact email: smsc@gmu.edu
Description: Live and learn alongside an international community of Smithsonian researchers and industry professionals, and earn college credits through George Mason University. The one-week summer program, Introduction to Field Conservation Ecology, offers first-hand exposure to conservation fieldwork.
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Debate: George Mason Debate Institute
Age(s): 6th through 12th graders
Contact: Jackie Poapst, George Mason Debate Team, 267-393-1604
Description: The George Mason University Debate Institute (GMDI) is one of the largest debate summer camps in Virginia. We offer introductory and intermediate classes for rising 6–12 graders in policy debate (introductory and intermediate levels) and public forum debate (intermediate only). With small class sizes, a dedicated teaching staff, and lots of experience, the GMDI is the place to be in 2023. The GMDI's motto, modeled after George Mason University, is "Innovation is Tradition." The institute aims to foster skills development in many areas, including in-depth research, critical thinking, persuasion, argumentation, and overall communication.
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Environmental Science/Conservation: Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE)
Ages: High schoolers (rising juniors and seniors)
Contact: George Mason University, Office of Admissions, wyse@gmu.edu, 703-993-5010
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: WYSE is a week-long experiential learning program for highly-engaged high school students. Students will experience an integrated and forward-thinking approach to the environment, while acquiring valuable “in-the-trenches” knowledge. Curriculum includes hands-on learning with industry leaders, international conservation experts, research scientists, and Washington insiders.
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Forensics: George Mason Institute of Forensics (GMIF)
Contact: George Mason Forensics Team, gmif@gmu.edu, 703-993-5887
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: With the phenomenal success of the George Mason Institute of Forensics (GMIF) over the years, we are pleased to announce the 19th Annual George Mason Institute of Forensics for the summer of 2023. George Mason University and the George Mason Forensics Team invite you to participate in the fun that is GMIF, where you will learn from some of the great minds in forensics. With a faculty-to-student ratio of 1:4, we have the greatest concentration of talent and success in the nation. Students will come from our institute with a tournament-ready piece, as well as an in-depth understanding of their craft and themselves.
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Game Design, Programming, and STEM: Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA)
Contact: Mason Game and Technology Academy, mgta@gmu.edu, 703-993-7101
Location: Virtual and in-person offerings at Fairfax Campus and SciTech Campus
Ages: 10 and up
Description: The Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA) is part of the Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI) and the nationally acclaimed Mason Computer Game Design Program. MGTA inspires students to pursue advanced studies in the STEM fields of the future and helps prepare them for success. MGTA offers age-appropriate STEM classes for ages 9–18 with personalized instruction, offering students the rare opportunity to engage with Mason faculty and their most advanced students. Topics include: Game Design and Game Programming with Unity and C#, Art Modeling and Animation, Python and Machine Learning/AI, and Roblox Game Development.
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Journalism: Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC)
Contact: George Mason University, Office of Admissions, wjmc@gmu.edu, 703-993-5010
Location: Fairfax Campus
Ages: High schoolers (rising juniors and seniors)
Description: WJMC is a week-long experiential learning program for highly-engaged high school students. Students will experience an integrated and forward-thinking approach to journalism and media while acquiring valuable “in-the-trenches” knowledge. Curriculum includes hands-on learning with industry leaders, award-winning journalists, international media outlets, and Washington insiders.
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Podcasting/Radio: WGMU Summer Podcast and Radio Camp
Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 12–17
Location: Fairfax Campus
Contact: Rodger Smith, WGMU Radio and Student Media, rsmith6@gmu.edu, 703-993-2874
Description: WGMU'S Summer Podcast and Radio Camp will provide students hands-on training in a professional radio environment! Students will get a chance to produce podcasts and be a deejay and play music over WGMU, streamed around the world from our website. Learn from broadcast professionals how to write, edit, and produce podcasts. Learn how to produce a live DJ show and produce commercials, promos, and public service announcements.
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Science: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program
Contact: Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP), College of Science, cosassip@gmu.edu
Ages: High school and undergraduate students
Locations: Fairfax Campus, SciTech Campus, and/or Potomac Science Center
Format: In-person, virtual, and hybrid options available
Description: The nationally known Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) provides transformative research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. Selected participants work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University and collaborating institutions using state-of-the-art technology across many disciplines. Note: The 2023 ASSIP application is now closed. The 2024 ASSIP application will be available in November 2023.
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STEM: STEM Bridge Camp
Contact: STEM Accelerator, College of Science, stemcos@gmu.edu
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: STEM Bridge Camp is for incoming Mason first year students only. In this newly-revamped two-week camp that meets in person on the Fairfax Campus, incoming first year students will experience science courses and the college lifestyle before the fall semester. Students will also get specific and daily guidance in mathematics. Students will review lab protocol, exam preparation, and experience sample classes from Mason faculty. There will also be advising, career sessions, time to meet current Mason students, and opportunity to make new friends. A daily math portion of camp will aim to improve math placement scores and prepare students for college math courses. On the first day (if needed) and last day of camp, students will have the opportunity to take the math placement test. Students can choose to reside on Mason’s Fairfax campus for the duration or commute daily to and from camp.
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STEM: Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM (FOCUS)
Contact: Kelly Knight, College of Science, 703-993-5478
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: The FOCUS camp is a week-long camp held on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University for rising 6–8th graders. Each day, participants engage in four different interactive and hands-on STEM workshops and on the last day, the participants present what they learned in these workshops in a conference-style setting. Sign up to receive updates when 2023 information becomes available.
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