Students

Summer campers blast off with interstellar research

sholla4 — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:04:30 +0000

Summer campers blast off with interstellar research sholla4 Wed, 09/16/2026 - 10:04

From constructing an artificial star to capturing a 25-year timelapse of a supernova, 91�� is pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration. And our mission into the final frontier brings students along for the ride.

Whether a fourth-grader is getting their first taste of rocketry with bottle rockets or an intern is making cutting-edge discoveries in planetary atmospheres, George Mason summer programming offers a glimpse into the vast universe we call home as students and faculty make small steps towards one giant leap for humankind.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp

Founded in 2023, the Mason Space Exploration Center (MSEC) is dedicated to providing immersive and educational space experiences for families and inspiring the next generation of space explorers. And one avenue for that is their award-winning MSEC Summer Camp.

With Base Camp for rising fourth- and fifth-graders and Advanced Camp for rising sixth- through ninth-graders, MSEC Summer Camp introduces a range of students to the exciting possibilities of astronomy. Students practice programming with Micro:bit, and learn the importance of asking questions, designing solutions, and working as a team, just like the professionals. They even launch their own rockets—bottle rockets, that is.

"We want students to see and experience the many different fields that work in the space sector," said S Falgiano, deputy observatory director in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. "By giving our campers experience with astronomy, engineering, coding, and other space-related fields, we hope to build their multidisciplinary interest in space exploration."

For these younger campers, MSEC Summer Camp is a chance to see that they can do science without needing to be professional scientists in a laboratory. "They can make observations, ask questions, test theories, and draw conclusions," said Falgiano. And that, at its core, is what science is all about.

Google Space Data Centers Summer Camp

For the 10th- through 12th-graders, the College of Engineering and Computing offers a chance to step into the future of technology. In partnership with Google, the Space Data Centers Summer Camp lets students explore how artificial intelligence (AI), energy systems, and data centers are evolving for space environments.

Throughout the week, campers walk through virtual reality re-creations of nuclear power plants, watch drone demonstrations, and tour data centers to learn key concepts of AI computing, electrical power systems, space environments, thermal management, and other aspects of operating computing infrastructure in space.

"The camp brings together space exploration, AI, energy, computing, and engineering while emphasizing interdisciplinary and industry collaboration," said Liling Huang, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Applying concepts to real-world solutions is a key part of the program. Students were challenged to envision and develop solutions for infrastructure that may be needed for the next generation of space exploration. Camp culminated with a poster presentation and expo where students met with industry experts to share their novel ideas. From this, two students were awarded Google-sponsored research scholarships and were invited to continue their research through Huang's year-long high school Research, Innovation, Spark, and Exploration (RISE) Scholars Program.

Beyond the camp, Google also sponsors the first teen-focused program in the history of the CIGRE Grid of the Future Symposium, organized by the College of Engineering and Computing and hosted by Dominion Energy. The inaugural 2026 Teen Program gives high school students an early opportunity to experience the professional power and energy community, present their research ideas, tour Dominion Energy’s System Operations Center, and connect with industry experts.

"We want students to leave camp willing to ask, 'why not?' and then use engineering and science to determine what it would take to make an ambitious idea possible," said Huang.

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program

For those high schoolers and undergraduates hoping to spend their summers in the lab, the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) hosted by George Mason’s College of Science is a stellar choice.

"There's quite a bit of literature that hands-on research experiences support students' persistence/identity in STEM fields, and we like to think that ASSIP is one key program trying to bring these experiences to as many students as possible," said Amanda Still, director of undergraduate student research initiatives and internships. "The interns’ eager hands to pursue the 'I wonder if...’ ideas of faculty really help to promote new research directions and embody the word 'pioneering.’"

This year, 20 interns were assigned to research or support space-related projects across the College of Engineering and Computing and the College of Science.

In the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science, for example, Associate Professor Edward Oughton oversaw 16 ASSIP students, some of whom worked on projects concerning space weather: a space weather risk assessment for Virginia, refining radar detection strategies for small space weather debris, and the economic impacts of losing GNAA/GPS, Navigation and Timing services due to space weather events.

"It's important to engage these students in space activities because we have so many challenges there to address," said Oughton, "from protecting terrestrial and space-critical infrastructure systems from space weather, to making sure we have the workforce to enable us to go back to the Moon, on to Mars, and then beyond."

"George Mason is a pioneering university in this area," said Art Poland, research faculty in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Three ASSIP interns supported his research work on the solar atmosphere, measuring the velocity of gases in hot magnetic loops above the surface of the Sun. "It's an amazing steppingstone for students who want to go into space science or engineering."

Bold Solutions for a Changing World

In This Story

Liling Huang

Topics

GCI-Space

Summer Camps

College of Engineering and Computing

College of Science

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Students

Game, Set, Content: This George Mason student-athlete brings followers inside Division I tennis

Katarina Benson — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:45:33 +0000

Game, Set, Content: This George Mason student-athlete brings followers inside Division I tennis Katarina Benson Mon, 09/14/2026 - 14:45

For most student-athletes, the work happens behind the scenes. Early-morning lifts, long days of classes, hours on the court, and weekends spent traveling to competitions are rarely seen by anyone outside the team. For 91�� women's tennis senior Cenan Liu, sharing that experience has become part of her story.

Through a growing social media presence, the Markham, Ontario, Canada native majoring in a business with a concentration in marketing and business analytics has built an audience by documenting the realities of Division I athletics—from practice sessions and match weekends to "What I Eat in a Day" (WIEIAD) videos and the challenges of balancing college, tennis, and content creation. What started as a creative hobby has evolved into a platform that connects with thousands of aspiring student-athletes while opening doors to opportunities with brands such as LEGO Canada and Audible.

Cenan Liu. Photo by Rafael Suanes/George Mason Athletics

“I started creating content during my freshman year of high school because I saw a girl who I knew post about getting free tennis shoes from social media, and I figured if she could do it, I could too,” Liu said. “I built a very engaged tennis community, and I would post about my training, tennis videos, etc.”

While tennis was the foundation of her content, the COVID-19 pandemic helped shape her platform's direction. "During a time where everybody was online, it was hard to feel connected to my peers and fellow creators," Liu said. "I started to explore different niches including fashion and tech, before ultimately falling in love with watching 'What I Eat in a Day' videos, leading to my transition to creating WIEIAD videos in college."

During that time, Liu found inspiration in creators who shared their experiences as college athletes. "I really resonated with college athletes, specifically Kaila Novak, who shared her D1 life at UCLA as a soccer player," Liu said. "She really inspired me to film those same videos I enjoyed watching so much."

Watching creators document their daily lives helped Liu realize that some of the most compelling content wasn't centered on results or accomplishments, but on the experiences that came with being a student-athlete.

Tennis naturally became the foundation of her content. “Whether I want it to or not, tennis is a huge part of my life and always will be,” she said. “I think it’s super important for me to create content about tennis because I personally think there is a lack of college content out there about a lot of the stuff I talk about, whether it’s about recruiting, college food, tournament experiences, etc.”

Liu practicing at George Mason. Photo by Rafael Suanes/George Mason Athletics

Her content isn’t just highlights; it’s the honest middle ground of being a student-athlete. “Our spring season is incredibly busy, with constant travel, training, and competition, and I enjoy bringing my audience along for that journey through vlogs and behind-the-scenes content,” Liu said. “I love being able to show them what college tennis actually looks like beyond the highlights they see online.”

Content creation quickly became more than a hobby—it became a creative outlet and a career. “Content creation is the best way for me to funnel my creative ideas into videos that hopefully resonate with my audience,” Liu said. “During tennis practice, lift, and classes, I don’t feel like I get the opportunity to be as hands-on and as creative as I can when I create content.”

That creativity opened doors she never expected, including commercial shoots with major brands. “A casting producer reached out to me via email saying she found me through YouTube Shorts, and they needed a tennis player for an Audible commercial,” she said. “They flew me out to LA, and I stayed there for two days before taking a redeye flight to land back in Washington at 7 a.m. to compete in a tournament the same day!”

Another moment that stands out came with LEGO Canada. “They needed a tennis player in Toronto for a video shoot,” Liu said. “It was an insane full-circle experience because the commercial was filmed at my childhood tennis club. Getting to go back after so many years brought back so many memories of when I was a junior player, and I had no idea the next time I was back, I’d be filming a LEGO commercial.”

Despite the growing opportunities, Liu's content remains grounded in the experiences that first connected her with her audience.

"Being a college athlete is a major part of my identity, and a lot of my content revolves around sharing the realities of student-athlete life," Liu said, "whether that's balancing classes and practices, traveling for matches, managing a busy schedule, or navigating the highs and lows that come with competing at a high level."

Beyond documenting her own experiences, Liu sees her platform as a way to help others better understand what college athletics is really like. "I also think it's interesting for students at other schools to get a glimpse into what life at George Mason is really like, both academically and athletically," Liu said. "At the same time, a large portion of my audience consists of high school students who are interested in playing college sports, so I love being able to show them what college tennis actually looks like beyond the highlights they see online."

Liu hopes her content offers a glimpse of the student-athlete experience. "I hope my content gives people a more realistic understanding of the student-athlete experience while helping them feel inspired and connected to the journey." she said.

Liu’s message is simple but powerful: Show up and be yourself. “The most important piece of advice that you’ve probably heard a bajillion times is to be consistent with your posting,” she said. “Authenticity is also really important and that’s something that I try to really focus on because it’s something that I believe you can genuinely feel through the screen, whether somebody is genuine or not.”

As she continues competing for the Patriots and growing her platform, Liu remains focused on telling stories that resonate with people. By sharing the realities of student-athlete life, she's created more than content—she's built a community.

Learn more about Mason Athletics

Topics

Students

Student Athlete

Mason Athletics

Costello College of Business

NIL

Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program

Katarina Benson — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:40:21 +0000

Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program Katarina Benson Mon, 09/14/2026 - 14:40

91�� Korea students are taking their learning beyond the classroom. Through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Korea–Nepal Youth Exchange Program, students are gaining hands-on experience with global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable development.

Students presented at the FAO headquarters in Rome. Photo provided

The program, which was recently highlighted in a MoneyToday interview with Sangyong Lee, director of Mason Korea’s Career Development Center, allows students to explore how global challenges intersect with the economic, cultural, and social realities of local communities. Lee joined participating students in Nepal as they worked alongside local youth and communities saw the program’s impact firsthand.

“The students are growing from mere participants into active agents who put their heads together with Nepalese youth to brainstorm alternatives,” he said.

The program gives students opportunities to discover their potential through experience, particularly in environments that challenge them to work across cultures and address real-world issues.

Through field-based activities, the experience encouraged students to approach complex issues not only from an academic perspective, but also through collaboration, empathy, and cross-cultural understanding.

“The weeklong journey gave me an opportunity to see people’s lives and the future of local communities through agriculture, while learning about the direction of international cooperation by listening to voices on the ground,” said sophomore global affairs major Suhyun Bae.

The Nepal program builds on students’ participation in an FAO youth program in Laos last year. Following that experience, participating students developed content focused on climate-smart agriculture and later had the opportunity to present their work at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

This progression, from Laos to Rome to now Nepal, reflects an approach to global learning in which individual experiences can develop into longer-term academic and professional opportunities.

International programs like these are an important part of career preparation. Pre-departure preparation, field-based projects, post-program reflection, and career portfolio development help students connect what they experience abroad with their future academic and professional goals.

Participants in the FAO program. Photo provided.

These programs help students develop cross-cultural communication, collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, which are increasingly valued across international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, global companies, and other internationally focused careers.

“Although we came from different cultures and approached problems in different ways, those differences ultimately became a strength in our teamwork,” said Dayeon Shin, a junior majoring in global affairs.

By engaging directly with communities, students are gaining more than international exposure. They are learning how their academic knowledge, perspectives, and skills can contribute to global challenges that extend far beyond the classroom. The success of the FAO program has inspired the Career Development Center to continue developing opportunities with international organizations and exploring partnerships in areas including international development and environmental, social, and governance initiatives.

Learn more about Mason Korea

Topics

Mason Korea

Students

Patriot Pride in action: Men’s volleyball gives back to Special Olympics Virginia

Katarina Benson — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:05:25 +0000

Patriot Pride in action: Men’s volleyball gives back to Special Olympics Virginia Katarina Benson Thu, 09/10/2026 - 11:05

The Special Olympics Virginia Area 26 Volleyball Team can often be found in the stands at the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC) on the Fairfax Campus, cheering on 91��’s men's volleyball team. Recently, a group of Patriots returned the favor, joining the Area 26 athletes on their home court and volunteering at the Warhawks Team's practice at Van Dyck Park in Fairfax.

Special Olympics Virginia provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for people with intellectual disabilities, creating opportunities to develop skills, compete, and build connections within their communities.

Special Olympics Virginia Area 26 Volleyball Team and the 91�� men's volleyball team. Photo provided

"We met some of the guys from the [Warhawks] team throughout the course of our season, as they showed up to a good number of our matches in full force," said Patriots' senior opposite hitter Jackson Herbert. "They were always the loudest in the stands, and we really appreciate the support. So, when they wanted help with their practice, all our guys jumped at the opportunity. It meant a lot to us because of the support they give us, so we wanted to do what we could in return."

During the practice, the George Mason student-athletes coached the Warhawks Team, shared their volleyball knowledge, and spent quality time on the court with the athletes.

"A large part of our team culture and George Mason athletics as a whole is giving back to our community," said Herbert. "This opportunity was a perfect activity for us to combine our knowledge of volleyball and our desire to help in the community. It means a lot to our team to give our experience and knowledge to those that don't have the same access to it as us, so we were grateful to spend a beautiful day outside and help teach other driven athletes."

The Area 26 team’s support has been integral to making the RAC a formidable home-court environment in recent years. George Mason has posted a 38-6 home record at the RAC dating back to 2024.

"Many of our Special Olympics athletes are graduates of the George Mason’s LIFE Program," said volunteer team coordinator Gretchen Ortega. "Having current George Mason athletes come out to support them felt like Patriot Pride in action!"

George Mason men's volleyball is still months away from returning to the court for regular-season action, but the Patriots continue to make an impact in the Northern Virginia community throughout the year.

"Although I am proud of my team for their athletic abilities, I am more proud of what they do off the court," said men’s volleyball head coach Jay Hosack. "Being a part of the Special Olympics is a unique opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourselves. I'm sure this won't be the last time they are there helping coach that team to greatness!"

Learn more about Mason LIFE

Topics

Students examine the global impact of the 9/11 attacks in George Mason course

sbrown79 — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:11:49 +0000

Students examine the global impact of the 9/11 attacks in George Mason course sbrown79 Thu, 09/10/2026 - 10:11

On the first day of class, 91�� history professor Meredith Lair asked her students a simple question: Where were you on 9/11?

As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Lair is providing students with a chance to examine the event, not just as a turning point in U.S. history, but through the lenses of public memory, media literacy, commemoration, and civic responsibility.

For most of Lair’s students, the answer to her question is not a memory, but an act of historical reconstruction. Only five students in the history special topics class are old enough to remember the attacks. The rest were born later and only know the event through archives and public memory.

Meredith Lair, associate professor in the Department of History and Art History in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, teaches a course on the history and memory of the Sept. 11 attacks. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

History major Peter Fadel came into the course knowing about 9/11 mostly through family stories, including those of an uncle who went into the city to help with cleanup efforts.

“I was hoping to learn more about the events and how the world was before 9/11,” said Fadel, a Lebanese American who grew up in Ohio. “I also wanted to learn about the circumstances that led to this tragedy, as well as hear the stories and perspectives of my older classmates. I’m lucky to be at George Mason having these conversations and learning about the “why,” which I think is very important going into this course.”

Barbara Kyriakakis, a retired George Mason staff member, was working on campus that day and remembers the attacks vividly. She lost a neighbor who has aboard United Airlines Flight 93.

In an ABC News interview, Kyriakakis said, “We watched a little girl grow up without her father.” But what she also remembers is that “the whole United States came together.”

Now 83, Kyriakakis is one of the older students taking Lair’s course, and that generational range is part of the reason Lair teaches the course and hopes to continue doing so every five years—coinciding with the five-year anniversaries.

"I wanted to create a space that would be a kind of bulwark against forgetting,” said Lair, an associate professor in the Department of History and Art History in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The course, cross-listed HIST 389 Topics in U.S. History and HIST 387 Topics in Global History, examines the attacks themselves, as well as their long aftermath: the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the expansion of the national security state, anti-Muslim sentiment, memorialization, and the persistence of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

“What historians do is teach skills about information handling—collecting, processing, and sharing data. I think that serves democracy, because we want educated citizenry,” Lair said. “I want students to learn how to ask good questions and to get used to doing real research, not doomscrolling on YouTube as research.”

This emphasis aligns with George Mason’s commitment to strengthening trust and engagement in democracy by preparing students to weigh evidence, evaluate sources, and think critically about how knowledge is produced.

Lair said she wants students to leave the course with more than a set of facts.

“I want them to appreciate, understand, and remember,” she said. “I’m hoping to connect them to what happened, so they see how much it impacted people who still walk amongst them, and the changes that the event made on the world.”

The course also highlights George Mason’s own contributions to preserving the history of 9/11. Lair is incorporating materials from the September 11 Digital Archives, created by the university’s Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media, one of the earliest large-scale efforts in the country to collect personal stories, images, and reflections from the attacks and their aftermath.

“[The center] has always been ahead of the curve in terms of digital history internationally,” said Lair. “They wanted to seize on the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and allowed people to record their experiences.”

Students will use the archive for their final project, “A Legacy of 9/11,” which asks them to research one of the event’s enduring effects.

Lair’s commitment to remembrance goes beyond the classroom: Each year, she marks the anniversary by releasing monarch butterflies from a conservation project she maintains as a symbol of hope.

Lair, the daughter of a career Army veteran, said she considers this course as her way of “cleaning up my little corner of the world,” and hopes the course gives students historical perspectives, but also something more personal: a deeper understanding of resilience, community, and what people owe one another in times of crisis.

“The American people really showed up for each other that day and I find that very inspiring and steadying,” Lair said. “That’s a lesson young people really need today.”

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Engagement in Democracy

Discover more GCI democracy research

Learn about other solutions >>

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of History and Art History

9/11 anniversary

GCI-Democracy

Students

Mason Korea welcomes students from nine countries this fall

ckearney — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:07:42 +0000

Mason Korea welcomes students from nine countries this fall ckearney Wed, 09/09/2026 - 14:07

91�� Korea welcomed its newest Patriots at the Fall 2026 Convocation on August 22, bringing together students, faculty, university leadership, and members of the Incheon Global Campus community to mark the start of a new academic year.

Vice Provost Janette Muir and Campus Dean Joshua Park (far right)greet students with Mason Korea faculty. Photo provided

This fall’s incoming class includes students from nine countries: Korea, the United States, Mongolia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Spain, Tajikistan, Vietnam, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. International students make up more than 40% of the incoming class, reflecting the continued growth of Mason Korea’s global community.

Across the campus, students now represent 17 countries, bringing a wide range of cultures, experiences, and perspectives to classrooms and campus life. Mason Korea continues to strengthen its presence on both sides of the Pacific and recently recorded 12.2% enrollment growth.

Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs and a founding member of Mason Korea, traveled from Fairfax to join the celebration and welcome the incoming class. Ju Young Byun, CEO of the Incheon Global Campus Foundation, also delivered congratulatory remarks during the ceremony.

Campus Dean Joshua Park welcomed the new students by emphasizing the value of learning in an international community at a time when technology is rapidly transforming education and the workplace.

Mason Korea welcomed its incoming class in August. Photo provided

“Bringing together students from different countries and backgrounds gives them the opportunity to challenge one another’s perspectives and learn from experiences that no artificial intelligence can replicate,” Park said. “Mason Korea is committed to helping our students develop the global competencies they need to succeed wherever their paths may take them.”

Students at Mason Korea follow the same curriculum and earn the same George Mason degrees as their counterparts in Virginia, with undergraduate students spending three years in Korea and one year at the Fairfax Campus. This experience gives students the opportunity to study across two countries while building academic, professional, and personal connections in both Korea and the United States.

Learn more about Mason Korea

Transcript

Take a look inside Mason Korea’s 2026 New Student Orientation and meet the students beginning their journey at Mason Korea this fall.

Topics

Mason Korea

Students

Autonomous blimps take flight at EagleBank Arena: 2nd annual Airborne Robotics Cup inspires future STEM innovators

Nathan Kahl — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 19:04:00 +0000

Autonomous blimps take flight at EagleBank Arena: 2nd annual Airborne Robotics Cup inspires future STEM innovators Nathan Kahl Tue, 09/08/2026 - 15:04

In This Story

The floor of EagleBank Arena buzzed with high-tech aerial excitement on August 15 as 91�� hosted the culmination of the second annual Airborne Robotics Cup (ARC 2026). The STEM outreach competition ran an intense 12-hour tournament featuring dynamic, lighter-than-air autonomous blimp “soccer” matches.

Lighter-than-air vehicles prepare for battle. Photo credit Yidi Huang.

ARC was founded and organized by Ningshi Yao, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and director of the Control, Intelligent Autonomy, and Optimization (CIAO) Lab. It was co-organized by the Capital Youth Outreach Club (CYOC).

The initiative serves as a core component of Yao’s National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. As part of the award’s integrated education plan, it translates university research in robotics, control theory, and autonomous systems into transformative hands-on learning for K-12 students, with vital venue, equipment, and organizational backing from the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) and the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC).

The tournament received enthusiastic support and on-site participation from CEC leadership and its academic departments. Ariela Sofer, divisional dean of the Volgenau School of Engineering, kicked off the morning session by encouraging students to pursue curiosity and explore the expansive possibilities within engineering. During the evening awards ceremony, Amarda Shehu, associate dean for research, celebrated the students’ accomplishments and underscored the transformative impact of early engagement with robotics and artificial intelligence, alongside Alex Sprintson, ECE chair, who recognized the exceptional ingenuity and technical rigor demonstrated by the competitors.

Alex Sprintson, ECE department Chair; Ariela Sofer, divisional dean of the Volgenau School of Engineering; student Ningshi Yao; student Aaron Liu; and Capital Youth Outreach Club co-organizer Jun Zhao. Photo credit John Liu.

Adding to the strong departmental support, Pelin Kurtay, ECE associate chair, attended to engage with participants and cheer on the young roboticists. Leigh McCue, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, joined the morning awards session to deliver encouraging remarks on multidisciplinary engineering and present awards to the winning teams across the morning’s two competition groups.

Building on last year's debut success, ARC expanded exponentially in 2026. The program received more than 180 applications, and through a highly competitive selection process, 16 talented finalist teams comprising more than 80 middle and high school students earned spots in the tournament.

Rather than a standalone one-day competition, ARC represents a comprehensive two-month summer engineering program. Over the past seven weeks, students dedicated their weekends to four intensive in-person training sessions and four hands-on practice sessions at MARC. Led by Yao, alongside ECE PhD student Ahnaf Asif Khan, graduate student Yojan Gautam, and former George Mason Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program participants Adam Bhatti and Harry Yu, the mentorship team taught students foundational mechatronics skills from the ground up, including soldering, assembling basic blimp kits, embedded programming, and custom 3D printing.

Student leadership and authentic engineering problem-solving took center stage throughout ARC2026. Reflecting on the engineering hurdles of lighter-than-air robotics, Lucas Liu, a junior from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and captain of Team 14, noted, "Working with blimps taught our team very quickly that every single gram matters. Through constant iteration, we redesigned parts and switched to lighter microcontrollers, bringing the total weight down to 70% of the original."

Aaron Liu, captain of Team 12 and representing his team from Luther Jackson Middle School, echoed the value of hands-on troubleshooting, "Building and flying a robot is a lot more complicated than watching one fly. Engineering problems don’t always happen when it's convenient, and solutions don't come linearly. You just have to keep going one step at a time," said Aaron.

Reflecting on the broader impact and purpose of the initiative, Yao emphasized the long-term growth of the participants. "ARC is far more than just a competition," said Yao. "It is a launchpad for lifelong skills, including problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Today is a celebration of taking ideas from concept to reality, embracing setbacks, and learning through hands-on trial and error."

Winning teams celebrate their achievements alongside faculty and mentors during the awards presentation. Photo credit Yidi Huang.

That transformative experience resonated strongly with families across the community. "Your continuous support, patience, guidance, and extra effort meant so much to them and to us as parents," shared Sisi Jou, parent of Team 15 competitor Skylon Jou. "Skylon already said he definitely wants to participate again next year and hopes to come back even stronger!"

Building on the tremendous energy and success of this second edition, the CIAO Lab and its partners are already preparing to expand ARC for summer 2027 by increasing team capacity, broadening community outreach, and continuing to cement George Mason as a premier hub for youth robotics innovation.

Topics

lighter-than-air robotics

Electrical and Computer Engineering

STEM outreach

EagleBank Arena

robotics

Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center

National Science Foundation

Students

Smithsonian-Mason REU helps aspiring conservation scientists find their path

ckearney — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:19:59 +0000

Smithsonian-Mason REU helps aspiring conservation scientists find their path ckearney Tue, 09/08/2026 - 14:19

For Olivia “Liv” Laurie, one of the defining moments of her summer research experience came while holding a baby bird in her hands.

Laurie, a student at Mount Holyoke University, spent 10 weeks this summer working with American kestrels, North America’s smallest raptor, at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) in Front Royal, Virginia. She helped monitor cameras in nearly 70 nest boxes, band kestrel nestlings, and analyze GPS and camera data to better understand how the birds move across the landscape and what prey they bring back to their nests.

“The fieldwork was one of my favorite parts,” she said. “It’s an awe-inspiring experience to be able to hold this raptor that’s so important for our environment.”

Liv Laurie, a student at Mount Holyoke University, spent 10 weeks this summer working with American kestrels, North America’s smallest raptor, at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) in Front Royal, Virginia. Photo by Robert Barrett/SMSC

Laurie was one of just 10 undergraduates selected from nearly 800 applicants for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funded by the National Science Foundation. The students came from around the country to spend the summer immersed in field- and laboratory-based conservation research at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s 3,200-acre campus.

At SMSC, a partnership between 91�� and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute designed to educate the next generation of conservation leaders, students work alongside Smithsonian scientists and conservation practitioners while conducting hands-on research focused on endangered species and biodiversity. George Mason is one of the few universities to partner with the Smithsonian Institution in this way.

For the students, the experience offered something that cannot be easily replicated in a classroom: the chance to find out what doing conservation science actually looks—and feels—like. That was exactly the kind of experience Laurie was looking for. “One of my goals coming into this program was to explore research as a career and see if it was something I was interested in,” she said.

The REU gave her a much broader view of the possibilities. “There are tons of different fields in conservation that I didn’t even know existed before I came here,” she said.

For Laurie, that meant working with Smithsonian researcher Joe Kolowski on a project examining American kestrel movements and feeding behaviors. The findings can help scientists understand how kestrels are using the Virginia landscape—and ultimately provide information that can help protect them.

REU students Maria Cornejo and David Campos worked on reproductive technologies for threatened Przewalski's horses and whooping cranes. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

Maria Cornejo, a junior from Penn State, came to the program already thinking about a career as a wildlife veterinarian. She was initially drawn in by the REU’s title, “Saving Endangered Species and Habitats,” and the prospect of working on such projects.

While working with Smithsonian scientist Budhan Pukazhenthi on reproductive technologies for threatened ungulate conservation, Cornejo had the opportunity to interact with the endangered Przewalski's horses. Seeing the Smithsonian’s veterinarians in action brought clarity to Cornejo’s career goals. “It helped me to see this is what I want to do,” she said.

The experience also helped David Campos of Dominican University hone in on possibilities for graduate studies as well as careers. “You get to experience so many different aspects of conservation, and you're exposed to a lot of different lab techniques, scientists, different career paths,” he said. “[The REU was] definitely a fundamental step in trying to figure out what kind of scientist you want to become.”

Campos, who spent his summer working on a cryo-preservation protocol for whooping crane sperm, also found some of the most valuable lessons came when the research didn’t go as expected, and he appreciated having a mentor there—Nucharin Songsasen, head of the Smithsonian’s Center for Species Survival—to guide him.

“There can be the real setbacks when doing research,” he said. “Being with a mentor that's very open to giving suggestions and guidance was essential. I'm really glad that I had that experience now instead of experiencing it by myself on a larger-scale research project.”

These are the kinds of experiences that Elizabeth Freeman, executive director of SMSC and an associate professor in George Mason's School of Integrative Studies, and Anneke DeLuycker, professor of conservation studies, hope the students will take away.

Biology major Valerie Hernandez of Evergreen State University spent the summer exploring nutritional forage quality and tradeoffs in bird-friendly haying. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

This summer was the first of three SMSC will offer with the NSF REU funding, Freeman said, and its organization was reflective of the experiences offered in the semester-away programs that SMSC offers twice a year. SMSC has hosted students from more than 70 universities and colleges at its semester-away programs

“We try to offer a range of project types—lab-based, field-based, some are even computer-based,” said Freeman, who also served as one of the mentors this summer, sharing her African rhino behavioral research with Henry Reinke of Williams College.

The diversity of subjects extended beyond birds and mammals and included reptiles as well as plants and trees.

The REU began in June with a “bootcamp” covering such topics as how to establish a research project, writing a resume, and best practices for conservation success to get the students up to speed quickly. Then, while the students conducted their research, one day a week was devoted to professional development. On those days, DeLuycker offered lessons on the business side of being a scientist—developing an abstract, creating a poster, and communicating research, all working toward the final presentations the students gave before an audience on their last day of the REU.

Those discussions were followed by an afternoon colloquium series where guest speakers from the Smithsonian and affiliated conservation groups came to talk about various case studies in conservation, emphasizing successes and future directions, as well as highlighting emerging or innovative solutions in conservation.

DeLuycker said she was extremely impressed by the quality of the students’ presentations and the REU cohort overall. “Their talks were polished, highly professional, and insightful,” she said. “This group really bonded. It was lovely to see them relying on each other for advice and sharing exciting, fun moments over meals.”

Environmental biology major Charlie Shivers of DePauw University spent the summer studying forests' long-term responses to climate change. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

One of the challenges, Freeman said, was whittling down the 800 quality applicants to 10 recipients. For the final stage of the process, they provided each mentor with 10 to 12 applicants to evaluate. When reviewing the applicants, Freeman said they prioritized candidates who expressed a desire to engage in scientific research, but had limited access to these types of experiences that an R1 research university like George Mason can provide.

George Mason alumnus and former Board of Visitors Rector Jimmy Hazel established a scholarship to encourage REU participants to continue their academic experience at SMSC. The James W. Hazel Scholarship will provide $10,000 to each REU participant who enrolls in one of the semester-away programs.

The NSF- REU program helps open doors for emerging scientists—creating opportunities for students to discover the challenges of conservation work and the impact they can have in protecting species and ecosystems around the world.

Explore the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Topics

National Science Foundation

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI)

Research

Students

College of Science

School of Integrative Studies

Advancing 21st-century education through models, math, and mentorship

sholla4 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:17:35 +0000

Advancing 21st-century education through models, math, and mentorship sholla4 Wed, 09/02/2026 - 13:17

Education is at the core of everything we do here at 91��. And we believe that while talent is equally distributed among people, opportunities are not. As Virginia's largest and most diverse university, it's our duty to advance 21st-century education for all: whether through hands-on experiential learning with the technology of tomorrow, teaching complex topics through novel techniques, or breaking down barriers to give everyone the knowledge needed to succeed.

These summer programs showcase how George Mason is opening doors for all students to explore, learn, and grow in their passions and skills to prepare for whatever their future holds.

MGTA Prep Program students learning game design, Python, and animation in the Art and Design building on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Mason Game and Technology Academy

Founded in 2013, Mason Game and Technology Academy (MGTA) offers a variety of game design and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) classes throughout the year for ages 11-18. Students can learn character modeling and animation, Python programming, Unreal Engine 3D design, 2D digital art, and more. Some courses, like Python programming, offer both introductory and intermediate levels.

"Our goal is to get students to embrace these critical STEM skills early and reward their curiosity," said Joshua Emswiller, operations manager for MGTA. Critically, the curriculum focuses less on how to "use" the software, and more on developing long-lasting skill sets that will help students adapt to rapidly changing technological advancements.

Courses are taught by faculty, alumni, and student interns in computer science and computer game design—many of whom have start-up companies with the Virginia Serious Games Institute, of which MGTA is a part. For the George Mason students, this is an opportunity to teach the skills they've learned in classes and mentor academy students.

"MGTA hopes to continue to be a great opportunity for students in the community as well as giving George Mason students a chance to use their knowledge to benefit others,” Emswiller said

Mason Math Odyssey

No need to sail to Greece for this Odyssey: Mason Math Odyssey (MMO), in its fourth year, brings rising 6th- through 9th-graders on an exciting mathematical journey through space and time as they learn about the greatest mathematical discoveries over millennia.

"We see many students who struggle with undergraduate math courses and lack preparation and motivation to succeed," said Maria Emelianenko, professor of mathematics. "MMO is aimed at raising mathematical awareness, fostering critical thinking skills early on, and broadening Mason's outreach efforts in the community."

Each day explores different areas of mathematics. Friendly competitions bring students together to build problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. Major math concepts are practically applied to real-world situations, like exploring advanced concepts of non-Euclidean geometries through measuring “city-block” distances—measuring distance in horizontal and vertical direction, not on the diagonal—using a map of Washington, D.C., and comparing those distances on a sphere. All the lessons culminate on the final day, where the campers must apply their knowledge to navigate a series of puzzles in order to unlock their medal.

Varied learning modes, hands-on activities, and mentorship from George Mason students all come together to help campers build a passion for mathematics that will follow them on their journeys through school and their future careers.

"With math being the foundation of many careers, bringing the excitement back into math classrooms is the spark that is needed to fuel students’ curiosity and ensure their future success," said Emelianenko.

Early Identification Program

For the past 40 years, the Early Identification Program (EIP) has brought students to campus over the summer for educational opportunities and a chance to experience life as a college student. Between its Summer Academy and its Institute for Excellence (IFE), EIP welcomed approximately 1,000 students to the Fairfax and Science and Technology campuses this summer.

Both programs help prepare students for the coming school year. Summer Academy assigns students to academic courses aligned with the curriculum in their county school districts to give them a head start on the subjects with valuable insights and support from licensed teachers and experienced mentors. IFE offers 5-week college courses so students can earn college credits.

"Our work is centered around making college accessible for first-generation students,” said Gabriella Rodriguez, assistant director of pre-college initiatives and IFE manager.

EIP also offers college and career readiness opportunities to support students in preparing for higher education. Special events throughout the summer—Career Day, Major Fair Day, Professional Shadowing Day—all center on exposing students to new career paths and programs of study.

"Our summer programs have evolved a lot over the years, but the student experience is still at the heart of it," said Rodriguez. That heart shows through the number of EIP alumni who return to support summer programming. Rodriguez herself is an alum of the program.

"I fondly remember my mentors and teachers in Summer Academy and the way everyone came together to give us a memorable experience," she said. "I wish the same for our students now."

Topics

Summer Camps

Mason Game and Technology Academy

College of Science

Early Identification Program (EIP)

GCI-Education

Students

Bold Solutions for a Changing World

Deloitte internship helps Costello student shape her future in consulting

Katelynn C Hipolito — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:37:15 +0000

Deloitte internship helps Costello student shape her future in consulting Katelynn C Hipolito Tue, 09/01/2026 - 10:37

Interning at Deloitte was on Iman Chaudhry’s radar ever since she entered the Costello College of Business at 91�� as a freshman and learned about the major firms in the area. As the president of the Mason Consulting Group, she’s tuned in to what’s happening at Costello and the opportunities available.

Deloitte’s discovery internship program students. Photo provided by Iman Chaudhry.

Promoted heavily across campus, Deloitte’s discovery internship program immediately caught Chaudhry's eye, especially because she had previously participated in a case competition with the firm.

“I always tell everyone that a cold application isn’t usually enough,” she says. “You have to be intentional about networking; it's really about building genuine relationships.” She put in the legwork before ever submitting her application by networking with recruiters and partners at Deloitte, many of whom were Costello alumni. Because of that, she felt few nerves as she began her internship, already familiar with many of the people working at the firm.

Joining about two dozen other students in the discovery internship program, Chaudhry was assigned to do strategy consulting work for a national security defense client. Mixed in with her rotations across different workflows, meetings, research tasks, and other deep work were plenty of opportunities to connect with senior leadership, as well as social events to bond with fellow interns.

“I always tell everyone that a cold application isn’t usually enough,” she says. “You have to be intentional about networking; it's really about building genuine relationships.”

— Iman Chaudhry, Costello College of Business Student, Mason Consulting Group president

Even though she's only halfway through her undergraduate education, Chaudhry has pushed herself to take both her academics and career development seriously. Working in small groups and presenting to audiences, both in the classroom and in her extracurriculars, prepared her for the intern work she did this past summer. She continues to be excited to see how the skills she developed in the classroom translate to the real world. “The tools may change, but the growth mindset remains the same.”

Iman Chaudhry, Costello College of Business Student, Mason Consulting Group president at Deloitte’s discovery internship program. Photo provided by Iman Chaudhry.

Witnessing how fast technology is evolving in the workplace has encouraged Chaudhry to pursue more courses in ethics and AI and other emerging tools. Interning at Deloitte has also made her contemplate the specific field of consulting that she wants to pursue. "I had a lot of fun this summer, and it's given me a lot to think about where I want to take my career," she reflects.

In the shorter term, Chaudhry is eager to leverage her experiences to implement new ideas in operating and optimizing the consulting work she oversees as president of the Mason Consulting Group.

Iman Chaudhry found her discovery internship experience to be immensely educational, informing her about the areas she wants to study further and the career direction she wants to take. As a junior studying management information systems at Costello, she looks forward to future internships where she can continue to expand her knowledge and explore her career possibilities.

Topics

Internships

Experiential Learning Program

Costello College of Business News

Costello College of Business Students

Students

Costello College of Business

Students

Summer campers blast off with interstellar research

Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp

Google Space Data Centers Summer Camp

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program

Related news

In This Story

Topics

Game, Set, Content: This George Mason student-athlete brings followers inside Division I tennis

Related Stories

Topics

Mason Korea students expand global skills through FAO Youth Exchange Program

Related Stories

Topics

Patriot Pride in action: Men’s volleyball gives back to Special Olympics Virginia

Related Stories

Topics

Students examine the global impact of the 9/11 attacks in George Mason course

Related Stories

Topics

Mason Korea welcomes students from nine countries this fall

Related Stories

Topics

Autonomous blimps take flight at EagleBank Arena: 2nd annual Airborne Robotics Cup inspires future STEM innovators

In This Story

Topics

Smithsonian-Mason REU helps aspiring conservation scientists find their path

Related Stories

Topics

Advancing 21st-century education through models, math, and mentorship

Mason Game and Technology Academy

Mason Math Odyssey

Early Identification Program

Topics

Related news

Deloitte internship helps Costello student shape her future in consulting

Related Stories

Topics