Campers gain hands-on experience with real astronomical instruments and explore university labs, culminating in a press conference to share their discoveries.
The Mason Space Exploration Center (MSEC) Summer Camp offers an exciting journey of discovery through expert-led STEM activities, computer coding, physics demonstrations, and hands-on projects related to space exploration. Campers engage in programming and electronics with Micro Bits, creating solar panels and radar detectors, and even launching them on rockets. They explore physics and astronomy concepts like motion and gravity, and construct a campus-wide scale model of the Solar System. The camp includes tours of the George Mason Observatory, featuring the Geller Telescope, and opportunities for optical exploration using solar telescopes and Sunspotters. Campers also visit physics and engineering labs, fostering teamwork and leadership skills through small teams and rotating roles. The program culminates in a “press conference” where campers communicate their findings to families.
Each day focuses on an astronomy theme such as Rocketry and Flight, Science in Space, Telescopes and Light, or Mapping the Night Sky, with hands-on activities and expert-guided instruction.
This camp is ideal for rising 4th through 9th graders with a curiosity and passion for space and STEM.
George Mason University Fairfax and SciTech (Manassas) campuses
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