MGTA PROGRAM

The MGTA Prep Program offers Game Design and STEM classes in spring, summer and fall. All of our Prep classes are taught by a mix of George Mason University faculty, graduates, and advanced-level students to maximize on fun, interactive, and cutting-edge instruction. With subjects from Game Design to Intro to Python to Art and Animation, there is a class for everyone.

For more general information on our programs, please visit our Program FAQs page HERE.

Spring, summer and fall classes are listed below.

Spring Classes

MGTA’s Spring program is 6 classes which take place on Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM.
The classes are located at George Mason University on either the Fairfax campus or the Manassas campus. Please see class details for more information.
Welcome Letters and detailed program information will be emailed before classes start, with information concerning schedule, directions and classroom locations.

Registration for spring 2025 is now open!

Game Design with Unity (Fairfax)

In this intro course, students will learn game design and development using the Unity game engine. This class is for students who are interested in making games as a potential career. The instructors will teach the student how to use the Unity engine by programming in C#. The subjects taught will include Unity basics, programming/C# fundamentals, level design and 2D game design.

Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: Fairfax George Mason Campus
Dates: Saturdays: 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, (Skip this weekend), 3/29, 4/5, 4/12
Times: 10 AM – 3 PM (1 hour off for lunch)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $595

REGISTER NOW!

Summer Classes

MGTA’s Summer program consists of five-day commuter classes that meet from 9 am to 4 pm each day.
The classes are located at George Mason University on either the Fairfax or Manassas campus. Please see class details.
Welcome Letters and detailed program information will be emailed before classes start, with information concerning schedule, directions, class locations, pick-up and drop-off information.

Registration for summer 2025 is now open!

3D Modeling with Blender (Manassas: June 9 - 13)

In this intro course, students will learn the basics of Blender, a free and open-source 3D software used by both beginners and experts in the 3D animation/modeling industry. This class is for students who are interested in making 3D models and animation for video games and movies. The instructors will teach the student how to use the Blender software to create a game character completely from scratch. The subjects taught will include Blender basics, 3D Modeling, color/texture materials, rigging and animation and lighting/rendering.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Manassas) George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 1: June 9 – 13
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Unreal 3D Game Design (Manassas: June 9 - 13)

In this intro course, students will learn the fundamentals of the Unreal engine and coding with Blueprints. This class is for students who are interested in game design, building levels, and scripting gameplay features. The instructors will teach the student industry standard workflows with one of the most popular game development software. The subjects taught will include, Blueprint scripting, level design, importing assets, materials, and the basics of object-oriented programing.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Manassas) George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 1: June 9 – 13
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Game Design with Unity (Manassas: June 16 - 20)

In this intro course, students will learn game design and development using the Unity game engine. This class is for students who are interested in making games as a potential career. The instructors will teach the student how to use the Unity engine by programming in C#. The subjects taught will include Unity basics, programming/C# fundamentals, level design and 2D game design.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Manassas) George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 2: June 16 – 20
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

2D Digital Art for Games (Manassas: June 16 - 20)

In this intro course, students will learn the fundamentals of Photoshop and creating 2D art for games. This class is for students who are interested in drawing, animation and creating their own worlds and characters. The instructors will teach the student how to use a drawing tablet using the Photoshop software. The subjects taught will include Photoshop basics, concept art, character design, pixel art and animation and UV texturing for 3D models.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Manassas) George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 2: June 16 – 20
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 11 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Roblox Game Development (Manassas: June 23 - 27)

In this intro course, students will use the Roblox game platform to learn game design and development. This class is for students who have a budding interest in game design, art and programming. The instructors will teach the student how to use the Roblox game platform to create levels and worlds for their avatars to play and roam around in. The subjects taught will include game design, level design and basic programming

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Manassas) George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 3: June 23 – 27
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 11 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Python Programming (Manassas: June 23 - 27)

In this intro course, students will learn the fundamentals of Python and computer programming. This class is for students who are interested learning coding for video games and beyond. The subjects taught will include basic control structures such as Booleanconditions, loops, and functions. More advanced topics include primitive python data structures such as using and manipulating lists, dictionaries, and creating a working game.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Manassas) George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 3: June 23 – 27
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Python Programming (Fairfax: July 7 - 11)

In this intro course, students will learn the fundamentals of Python and computer programming. This class is for students who are interested learning coding for video games and beyond. The subjects taught will include basic control structures such as Booleanconditions, loops, and functions. More advanced topics include primitive python data structures such as using and manipulating lists, dictionaries, and creating a working game.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Fairfax) George Mason University
Dates: Week 4: July 7 – 11
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Unreal Game Design (Fairfax: July 14 - 18)

In this intro course, students will learn the fundamentals of the Unreal engine and coding with Blueprints. This class is for students who are interested in game design, building levels, and scripting gameplay features. The instructors will teach the student industry standard workflows with one of the most popular game development software. The subjects taught will include, Blueprint scripting, level design, importing assets, materials, and the basics of object-oriented programing

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Fairfax) George Mason University
Dates: Week 5: July 14 – 18
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Godot Game Design (Fairfax: July 21 - 25)

In this intro level course, students will learn the exciting world of game development using Godot, a free and powerful game engine. No prior programming experience is needed. You’ll learn the fundamentals of game design, scripting, and art. By the end of the course, you’ll have created your own working game that you can share with friends and family. Get ready to put your creativity to the test and turn your game ideas into a reality!

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Fairfax) George Mason University
Dates: Week 6: July 21 – 25
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Worldbuilding for Games with Unity (Fairfax: July 28 - August 1)

In this intro course, students will learn how to design and create a 3D environment using the Unity game engine. This course explores the fundamentals of 3D world-building: working with 3D models and materials, building and painting landscapes, adding particle effects like fog, fire, snow and rain, and ambient prop animations. No programming will be needed. By the end of the course, the students will have created an immersive game environment, and will include an interactive 3D character using Mixamo to explore the landscape.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Fairfax) George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 28 – August 1
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

3D Modeling with Blender (Fairfax: July 28 - August 1)

In this intro course, students will learn the basics of Blender, a free and open-source 3D software used by both beginners and experts in the 3D animation/modeling industry. This class is for students who are interested in making 3D models and animation for video games and movies. The instructors will teach the student how to use the Blender software to create a game character completely from scratch. The subjects taught will include Blender basics, 3D Modeling, color/texture materials, rigging and animation and lighting/rendering.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Fairfax) George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 28 – August 1
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

2D Digital Art for Games (Fairfax: July 28 - August 1)

In this intro course, students will learn the fundamentals of Photoshop and creating 2D art for games. This class is for students who are interested in drawing, animation and creating their own worlds and characters. The instructors will teach the student how to use a drawing tablet using the Photoshop software. The subjects taught will include Photoshop basics, concept art, character design, pixel art and animation and UV texturing for 3D models.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Fairfax) George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 28 – August 1
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 11 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

3D Game Design with Unreal Editor for Fortnite (Fairfax: July 28 - August 1)

In this intro course, students will learn the basics of game design and Unreal through Unreal Engine for Fortnite. These tools serve as the bridge between the full Unreal Engine and Fortnite Creative. Students will also get an introduction to object oriented programming using the new Verse programming language and Fortnite creative devices. This course heavily focuses on games design principles like fun, balance, immersion, rules, playtesting, and feedback. By the end, students will have learned everything from building levels, scripting new functionality, and publishing their own levels and games directly to Fortnite for anyone to play.

Prerequisites: 
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers

Location: (Fairfax) George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 28 – August 1
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (45 mins for lunch)
Ages: 12 to 17
Price: $695

REGISTER NOW!

Fall Classes

MGTA’s Fall program is 6 classes which take place on Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Welcome Letters and detailed program information will be emailed before classes start, with information concerning schedule, directions and classroom locations.

Registration is now closed for 2024.