Academic Camps

Student Media Podcast and Radio Camp
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
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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, crys@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.
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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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Engineering, Robotics, and Game Design: Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center

Contact: fccamps@gmu.edu, 703-993-8444
Ages: Various camp options for ages 6-13
Location: SciTech Campus (Manassas)
Description: The Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center offers several camps about engineering, robotics, and game design. Visit the website for details.
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Environmental Science/Conservation: Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE)

Contact: George Mason University, Office of Admissions, wyse@gmu.edu, 703-993-5010
Ages: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) is a weeklong 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: Rising high school 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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Math: Mason Math Odyssey

Contact: Mathematical Sciences Department, jlawler@gmu.edu, 703-993-9688
Age group(s): Rising 6th to 9th graders
Location: Fairfax Campus
Description: Mason Math Odyssey camp is a place for students who are curious about math to learn about beautiful mathematics concepts typically not taught in K-12 curriculum. Students will engage in fun and friendly team competitions that will help build mathematical maturity while honing problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. Camp participants will embark on an exciting mathematical journey through space and time to learn about some of the greatest mathematical discoveries from ancient times to this day, get exposed to some of the fundamental mathematical concepts from the areas of geometry, topology, number theory, probability and algebra, as well as mathematical modeling, and compete for a chance to win the camp trophy. As part of the daily agenda, students will be immersed into one of the mathematical themes through guest lectures, hands-on activities, and group projects featuring Olympiad-style problems, as well as simple mathematical puzzles and culminating in a peer and instructor judged presentation.
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Nanotechnology: Nanocamp

Contact: Eleanor Wagoner, Institute for Biohealth Innovation
Ages: 16–18 years old
Location: SciTech Campus (Manassas, Virginia)
Description: Nanocamp is an exclusive opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in a new nanofabrication lab in a small group environment. Be among the first to use Mason’s cutting-edge equipment, and take part in experiments designed by Mason researchers and industry experts. Application required.
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Podcasting/Radio: Student Media Summer Podcast and Radio Camp

Age/Grade Level(s): Ages 12–17
Location: Fairfax Campus
Contact:
Rodger Smith, 703-993-2874
Description: Student Media’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, email
Ages: 15+
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 2024 ASSIP application is now closed.
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Space: Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp

Contact: College of Science, 626-234-1628, email
Ages: Grades 4–9 (rising)Location: Fairfax CampusFormat: In-person
Description: The Mason Space Exploration Center camp will inspire the next generation to “launch” their curiosity and creativity about space. Campers will experience fun and engaging hands on training in STEM activities from experts in working with programming and electronics (arduinos), generative AI tools like ChatGPT, mathematics, the physics of motion and gravity, creating a scale model of the solar system, touring the second largest on-campus observatory on the east coast, a small-sat development lab and radio dish, using a solar telescope, experience robotic food delivery, and much more.
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STEM: BioEBuzz Summer Camp

Contact: Department of Bioengineering, 703-627-5588, email
Ages: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Location: Fairfax Campus
Format: In-person
Description: What is bioengineering and how is it applied to solve biomedical problems? How are the exciting discoveries and technological innovations underway in our labs impacting human health? Participants will learn through hands-on experiences, including applying robotics and ultrasound technology to develop sensitive prosthetics that allow for individual digit mobility control. This is a four-day camp offered from Monday, June 17, through Friday, June 21. Note: no camp on Wednesday, June 19 (Juneteenth). Application deadline is March 15, 2024.
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STEM: STEM Bridge Experience

Contact: College of Science STEM Accelerator, stemcos@gmu.edu
Ages: STEM Bridge Experience is for incoming Mason first year students only.
Location:
Fairfax Campus
Description: In this weeklong, on-campus experience, 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 STEM Accelerator, 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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