STEM Outreach

STEM Outreach: STEM Expos and STEMinars

STEM Expos

We coordinate on-campus NOVA STEM Days, 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.

NOVA STEM Day

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 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/ 

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 Registration is Open!

Camp Highlights

  • Camps last one week and are only $315.
  • Camps are offered at many of our NOVA Campuses, and at some schools in Northern Virginia.
  • Camps run from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • We offer the following discounts:
    • Multi-Child (15%) for each additional child in same registration.
    • Multi-Camp (10%) for each additional camp in same registration.
    • NOVA and Micron Employees have a $35 discount.

2023 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

Bridge Programs in Computer Science/Information Technology and Engineering Technology are FREE summer programs for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in getting into these high-demand, high wage tech fields.

NOVA IET offers free 2-week summer bridge programs to help juniors and seniors get ready for college! During these programs, students will receive an introduction to one of three in-demand technology fields (Computer Science, Information Technology, or Engineering Technology), tour at regional employers, and meet NOVA faculty, students, and staff. Bridge students will gain critical skills and have the opportunity to receive college credit.

Who can apply? Graduating High School seniors/current juniors. The Bridge Program is intended for students who have little or no experience with these fields and would like to learn more.

Application is closed, and participants have been selected for Summer 2023.

For more information or questions contact:
Chris Russell at crussell@nvcc.edu or Jim Crane at jcrane@nvcc.edu.

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 for Summer 2023 are closed.