STEM Outreach

Outreach Programs and Events

Camp Registration Opens Wednesday, January 17 at 10:00a.m.

Led by STEM teachers and college students enrolled in STEM programs, our STEM Camp program introduces Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to thousands of grade-school students.

Camps are focused on hands-on, project-based learning that provides students with excellent opportunities to begin exploring STEM fields and to chart a course for future STEM education and workforce opportunities. Our STEM camp tracks include Coding, Robotics, Cybersecurity, Fabrication, Rocketry and more!

Camps will run June through August, but registration is open throughout the summer.

Camp Highlights

  • Camps last one week and are:
    • $375 per week if registering before February 15
    • $425 per week if registering between February 16 and April 15
    • $475 per week if registering after April 16
  • Camps are offered at many of our NOVA Campuses, and at some schools in Northern Virginia.
  • Camps run from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
    • Drop off as early as 8:00 a.m.
    • Pick up as late as 5:00 p.m.
  • We offer the following discounts (automatically added at checkout):
    • Multi-Child ($50) for each additional child in same registration.
    • Multi-Camp ($35) for each additional camp in same registration.
    • NOVA Employees and Students get a $50 discount on their registration.

2024 STEM Camp Offerings

  • STEM ES (rising 4th to 5th grade)

    Sample Activities:

    • Learn about design thinking
    • Build and program VEX GO kit as a heat shield (like the one used by the James Webb telescope)
    • Make a thermometer using the micro:bit

    Format: Primarily Individual with some group interactions

  • Coding with Robotics (rising 4th to 7th grade)

    Sample Activities:

    • Build and program VEX IQ Robot
    • Challenges: Maze, Sumobot, and Catapult
    • Real World Application: MARS Rover

    Format: Pairs

  • Fabrication (rising 4th to 9th grade)

    Sample Activities

    • Design a product that converts a common household item into a toy or game
    • Design or revise a product that makes your school life easier

    Format: Individual

  • STEM MS (rising 6th to 8th grade)

    Sample Activities:

    • Build and code an alarm with LEDs and sound
    • Build a small computer with a Raspberry Pi

    Format: Individual

  • VEX Robotics (rising 6th to 10th grade)

    Sample Activities:

    • Build and Code a VEX V5 robot
    • Solve a Maze: Integrate sensor feedback into your code
    • Team competition at end of camp

    Format: Pairs, competing against other camp teams.

  • Arduino (rising 7th to 10th grade)

    Sample Activities:

    • Build and program a custom display with a custom message
    • Wire and control LED’s to turn on and off in a pattern
    • Wire and control a motor/servo with a sensor

    Format: Students work in groups of 2-4 students, complete challenges and compete against other teams.

  • Rocketry (rising 7th to 12th grade)

    Sample Activities:

    • Build a 2-foot rocket to complete a flight altitude challenge
    • Use Rocket Simulation software to model flight
    • Field trip to launch site

    Format: Individual Challenges.

  • Cybersecurity (rising 9th to 12th grade)

    Sample Activities:

    • Explore and experience different cybersecurity tools
    • Capture the flag challenge

    Format: Individual and team

Sign Up Camps

More Information & Policy Documents

Contact Information

systemic@nvcc.edu or (703) 530-3505

NOVA's Summer Bridge Programs are focused on Engineering Technology (ET), Data Center Operations (DCO), Information Technology (IT), and Computer Science (CS). These programs provide students an opportunity to explore either ET/DCO or IT/CS through hands-on activities and industry site visits. Students will be introduced to NOVA's campuses, offices (e.g. student services, financial aid, etc.), and career pathways. Transportation will be provided between the two participating NOVA Campus and any site tours or field trips conducted as part of the program. Students will need to drive to campus or be dropped off and picked up at the session campus closest to them each day. These programs are free, but space is limited. Students may only apply to one session as outlined below.

Bridge Program Information Sessions: Please register for an upcoming information session at the link below:

Information Session Register https://form.jotform.com/240164609084152

  • Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 4:30pm
  • Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 4:30pm

Application: https://form.jotform.com/233454784736164

  • Early application deadline is February 29, 2024, at 11:59pm EST
  • Regular application deadline is April 4, 2024, at 11:59pm EST

For more information contact: Kathleen McNamee kmcnamee@nvcc.edu

Details of the Programs

Engineering Technology (ET) Ready is a 1-week program designed for students wanting to learn more about ET. This program is targeted for high school freshman, sophomores, and juniors; however, seniors may apply.

  • Session 1-1: July 9-12, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Manassas Campus
  • Session 2-1: July 16-19, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Loudoun Campus
  • Session 3-1: July 23-26, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Woodbridge Campus
  • Session 4-1: July 30-August 2, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Annandale Campus

Engineering Technology (ET) & Data Center Operations (DCO) is a 2-week program designed for current high school seniors who are interested in learning more about ET/DCO and earning a college credit. Priority will be given to seniors, but juniors may apply.

  • Session 1-2: July 9-19, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Week 1 Manassas Campus, Week 2 Loudoun Campus
  • Session 2-2: July 23-August 2, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Week 1 Woodbridge Campus, Week 2 Annandale Campus

Information Technology (IT) & Computer Science (CS) is a 2-week program designed for current high school seniors who are interested in learning more about IT/CS and earning a college credit. Priority will be given to seniors, but juniors may apply.

  • Session 1-2: July 9-19, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Week 1 Manassas Campus, Week 2 Loudoun Campus
  • Session 2-2: July 23-August 2, 9:30a-2:30p, 4 days per week (Tues-Fri) Location: Week 1 Woodbridge Campus, Week 2 Annandale Campus

NOVA STEM Day is a free showcase of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math on designated NOVA campuses throughout the year. Featuring excellent exhibits, awesome hands-on activities and wonderful workshops, NOVA STEM Days are lively learning opportunities for students of all ages. Activities are taught by NOVA faculty and community educators (with college and high school students on hand to help out). Pre-pandemic, NOVA STEM Days attracted between 2500 and 3000 people to a NOVA campus each year.

As we return to in-person activities, more NOVA STEM Days are planned for the near future.

Regional STEM Expos

We engage with local STEM events at libraries and schools, participate in Maker Faires, and bring STEM to large community events and educational conferences such as Celebrate Fairfax, Youth For Tomorrow's Country Fair & Auctions, and the USA Science & Engineering Festival.

We run the Robotics Pavilion (along with other hands-on activities) at Celebrate Fairfax every year in June, which averages 70,000 people in attendance.

Our pavilion in the past has featured:

  • VEX VRC & IQ Robotics
  • Osmo Learning Game System
  • Sphero
  • Micro: Bit
  • 3D Printing
  • Laser Engraving
  • Vacuum Forming

Info: celebratefairfax.com

Every other year the USA Science & Engineering Festival is held in Washington DC, a famous two-day STEM event that draws over 340,000 people. We operate an exciting STEM booth that draws students and parents because it’s not just an exhibit; it’s hands-on fun!

Info: https://usasciencefestival.org

The Maker Faire NoVa is an annual gathering of curious and inventive people who enjoy learning and love sharing what they can do. Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments and projects. It is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. 

Info: https://nova.makerfaire.com/ 

STEM Resources and Internships

Check out these STEM activities and websites for virtual learning that include challenges, tasks, and games for students from PreK to College.

Past Sessions - Video Recordings

Already a STEM master? Bring your skills back to the community as a NOVA SySTEMic Intern. NOVA is recruiting high school and college students interested in STEM education for paid summer STEM internships in support of our summer STEM camps. Interns will support camp instruction, contribute to curriculum development, and learn to teach technical skills in a low stress, fun environment.

Applications open on February 15, 2024! Apply HERE!

For more info contact SySTEMic Program Manager Aleksander Marthinussen at amarthinussen@nvcc.edu