Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—STEM, and therefore, STEM education—are vital to our future— and George Mason University’s Global Learning Institute seeks to be at the forefront of this important academic endeavor. Through a partnership with Mason’s College of Science, the Global Learning Institute will host a two-week summer boot camp for students interested in STEM fields, research, lab work, and how to find a rewarding science-related career.
During this two week program, students from 9th-12th grade will engage in hand-on, experiential learning and lab-based intellectual experience in biology, physics, chemistry and forensic science. They will team up and work closely with GMU STEM faculty and students.
CURRICULUM
Students will break into teams for two two-hour modules per day that will focus on academic instruction and content-based activities, in addition to building a final design challenge together. Specifically, each team will:
- Build a Sea Perch ROV, an aquatic rover developed by the Department of Navy to promote STEM among
students from high school to college.- Building the unit will require development of basic lab skills.
- Understanding how the unit works will be the subject of the Physics of the Sea Perch discussions.
- These discussions will include hands-on lab exercises that examine fundamental physics concepts essential to the building and use of the Sea Perch.
- Conduct a biological (aquatic microbiology and ecology) and chemical (environmental chemistry) investigation of the ecosystem. Experimentation will include field study as well as in-lab essential exercises that will develop skills
required to analyze biological and chemical data collected. - Students will complete a pre- and post- assessment and write a reflection of the lab experience at the end of the week, so to receive a Certificate of Participation at the close of the program.
PROGRAM DATES & FEES
The Summer STEM Research Program runs from June 10 – June 23 (2 weeks).
Fees for the program are:
- Residential Program: $2,500
- Program fee includes tuition, room, meals, airport pick-up/drop-off, excursions, and supplemental insurance
- Commuter Program: $2,100
- Program fee includes tuition, daily lunch, excursions, and supplemental insurance
Unfortunately, the Global Learning Institute does not offer any Scholarships/Grants or Financial Aid for our programs.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
To Apply:
- Complete the application below before May 6, 2016
- Submit student’s most recent transcript – official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable
- Transcripts can be faxed to 703-993-5095, or mailed directly to,
Office of Global Strategy
4400 University Drive
MS6E6
Fairfax, VA 22030
- Transcripts can be faxed to 703-993-5095, or mailed directly to,
- For more detailed information about the 2016 Summer STEM Research Program, please call Jim Burke (703) 993-9381 or email jburke23@gmu.edu
