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.
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 2026 is now open!
Dates for the camps are:
Wk 1 : June 15 – 19
Wk 2 : June 22 – 26
Wk 3 : June 29 – July 3
Wk 4 : July 6 – 10
Wk 5 : July 13 – 17
Wk 6 : July 20 – 24
Wk 7 : July 27 – 31
Wk 1 Manassas Character Modeling and Animation with 3Ds Max (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will be able to create characters and bring them to life using the 3D modeling software Autodesk 3Ds Max. All of the great 3D game characters you know and love are made with the process we learn in this course. You’ll start your journey by learning the fundamentals of creating 3D design and step by step, creating a 3D character. You’ll also be introduced to texturing 3D models and rigging them for 3D animation. This course is a great foundation for students who are interested in 3D art and animation.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 1: June 15 – 19
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk 1 Manassas Game Design with Unity (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will utilize the Unity game engine to learn game design and development. Students will learn the basics of how games are made and the different roles each developer has when creating a game project. Students will use this knowledge to build 2D or 3D worlds and games using Unity’s pre-existing assets and interface while also learning some basic programming with C#. This course is a great foundation for students interested in the game design field.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 1: June 15 – 19
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk 2 Manassas 3D Modeling with Blender (Intro)
In this intro level class, 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. During this week, students will be learning the process involved with creating a simple 3D character in Blender. The students will model, rig, and animate their character and render out a video of their animation. This course is a great foundation for students who are interested in 3D art and animation.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 2: June 22 – 26
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk 2 Manassas Python Programming (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will learn the fundamentals of programming using Python. Python is an excellent first programming language because students can quickly learn how to think like a programmer. This course incorporates fun, visual features to teach Python. While learning to code in Python, students will be able to observe their code in illustrative patterns and designs. This is a fun way to integrate art/design, computer science, and geometry all tied into one course! For more advanced students, this course will also allow them to delve deeper into Python programming, and learn to program simple, textual, and graphical
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 2: June 22 – 26
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk 3 Manassas C# Programming with Unity (Intermediate)
In this Intermediate course, students will utilize the C# programming language within the Unity game engine to help students learn game programming. Unlike the Unity Design course, this course will cater to those wanting to learn more about the programming side of Unity. Students will program and develop a 2D game from scratch using C# scripts to enable desired game features, object and character behaviors, and game mechanics. This course is a great foundation for students who wish to learn game programming.
Note: Students taking this course are expected to have a general interest in programming. This course is a programming course first and foremost and will introduce more advanced topics than our Game Design with Unity course. Students will still be given a general intro to programming for this course, but it will be faster pace than a normal intro programming course
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 3: June 29 – July 3
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $695
Wk 3 Manassas Unreal 3D Game Design (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will utilize Unreal Engine 4 to learn game design and development. Students will learn various aspects of game design using Unreal Engine through its built-in tools for creating materials, landscapes, lighting, post-processing, physics and their node-based programming system Blueprints. Using these and other tools, students will develop game prototypes, create game mechanics, and learn about animation and cinematics. Students will learn how to package your games for distribution and will have the skills necessary to build and share your games. This course is a great foundation for students who wish to learn more about game development.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 3: June 29 – July 3
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk4 Fairfax 3D Modeling with Blender (Intro)
In this intro level class, 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. During this week, students will be learning the process involved with creating a simple 3D character in Blender. The students will model, rig, and animate their character and render out a video of their animation. This course is a great foundation for students who are interested in 3D art and animation.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 4: July 6 – 10
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk4 Fairfax Godot Game Design (Intro)
In this intro level class, students will learn the fundamentals of game design using the Godot game engine. The topics covered in this course include game design theory, basic scripting, and art implementation. By the end of the course, students will have a short game of their own to show their friends. This course is a great foundation for students interested in game design.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 4: July 6 – 10
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk4 Fairfax Python Programming (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will learn the fundamentals of programming using Python. Python is an excellent first programming language because students can quickly learn how to think like a programmer. This course incorporates fun, visual features to teach Python. While learning to code in Python, students will be able to observe their code in illustrative patterns and designs. This is a fun way to integrate art/design, computer science, and geometry all tied into one course! For more advanced students, this course will also allow them to delve deeper into Python programming, and learn to program simple, textual, and graphical.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 4: July 6 – 10
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk4 Manassas 2D Digital Art for Games (Intro)
In this intro level class, students will learn to create their own characters and worlds and bring them to life through digital art using Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn how to use a drawing tablet in conjunction with the software. Lessons include texturing, landscaping, shading and coloring techniques, and character design. This course is a great foundation for students interested in drawing and art.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 4: July 6 – 10
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk5 Fairfax Blender 3D (Intermediate)
In this Intermediate course, students will build on their existing Blender knowledge and focus on advanced modeling, creature design, lighting, rendering, materials, and compositing techniques. The course will also introduce Geometry Nodes, giving students hands-on experience creating procedural tools and non-destructive systems that support more flexible and creative workflows used in the industry.
This is a fast-paced, hands-on class designed for students who are already comfortable navigating Blender. Lessons are flexible and can shift based on student interests—whether that’s environments, props, stylized work, realism, or tool-building. The instructor will actively answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and adapt material to support what students are most passionate about creating.
Note: Students taking this course are expected to either have taken MGTA’s intro level 3D Modeling with Blender course or have some general knowledge of Blender beforehand. This is not an intro level class
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 5: July 13 – 17
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $695
Wk5 Fairfax Python Game Programming (Intermediate)
In this intermediate course, students will learn how to apply their programming knowledge to address complex problems. This class will help students learn the process of breaking down complex coding challenges into discrete, simpler tasks, and identifying which tools they have to address those smaller tasks. This will culminate with students creating a 2D Game in Python.
Note: Students taking this course are expected to either have taken MGTA’s intro level Python Programming course or have some general knowledge of Python beforehand. This is not an intro level class.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 5: July 13 – 17
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $695
Wk5 Fairfax Unreal 3D Game Design (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will utilize Unreal Engine 4 to learn game design and development. Students will learn various aspects of game design using Unreal Engine through its built-in tools for creating materials, landscapes, lighting, post-processing, physics and their node-based programming system Blueprints. Using these and other tools, students will develop game prototypes, create game mechanics, and learn about animation and cinematics. Students will learn how to package your games for distribution and will have the skills necessary to build and share your games. This course is a great foundation for students who wish to learn more about game development.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 5: July 13 – 17
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk6 Fairfax 2D Digital Art for Games (Intro)
In this intro level class, students will learn to create their own characters and worlds and bring them to life through digital art using Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn how to use a drawing tablet in conjunction with the software. Lessons include texturing, landscaping, shading and coloring techniques, and character design. This course is a great foundation for students interested in drawing and art.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 6: July 20 – 24
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk6 Fairfax Game Design with Unity (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will utilize the Unity game engine to learn game design and development. Students will learn the basics of how games are made and the different roles each developer has when creating a game project. Students will use this knowledge to build 2D or 3D worlds and games using Unity’s pre-existing assets and interface while also learning some basic programming with C#. This course is a great foundation for students interested in the game design field.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 6: July 20 – 24
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk6 Fairfax Unreal 3D Game Design (Intermediate)
In this Intermediate Unreal Engine course, students will apply established programming knowledge to the design and implementation of complex gameplay systems using Unreal Engine’s Blueprint framework. This class is intended for students who are already very comfortable with core coding principles and want to translate those skills into Unreal Engine’s visual scripting environment. Students will work with industry-standard workflows to architect for scalable systems within Unreal Engine, emphasizing Blueprint-based gameplay programming. Topics will include advanced Blueprint scripting patterns, gameplay architecture, Blueprint communication, data-driven design, and state management. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to design, debug, and maintain sophisticated gameplay mechanics in their own projects.
Note: Students taking this course are expected to either have taken MGTA’s Intro level Unreal 3D Game Design course or have some general knowledge of Unreal beforehand. This is not an intro level class
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 6: July 20 – 24
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $695
Wk6 Manassas Python Game Programming (Intermediate)
In this intermediate course, students will learn how to apply their programming knowledge to address complex problems. This class will help students learn the process of breaking down complex coding challenges into discrete, simpler tasks, and identifying which tools they have to address those smaller tasks. This will culminate with students creating a 2D Game in Python.
Note: Students taking this course are expected to either have taken MGTA’s intro level Python Programming course or have some general knowledge of Python beforehand. This is not an intro level class.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Manassas George Mason Sci-Tech Campus
Dates: Week 6: July 20 – 24
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $695
Wk7 Fairfax C# Programming with Unity (Intermediate)
In this Intermediate course, students will utilize the C# programming language within the Unity game engine to help students learn game programming. Unlike the Unity Design course, this course will cater to those wanting to learn more about the programming side of Unity. Students will program and develop a 2D game from scratch using C# scripts to enable desired game features, object and character behaviors, and game mechanics. This course is a great foundation for students who wish to learn game programming.
Note: Students taking this course are expected to have a general interest in programming. This course is a programming course first and foremost and will introduce more advanced topics than our Game Design with Unity course. Students will still be given a general intro to programming for this course, but it will be faster pace than a normal intro programming course
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 27 – 31
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 13 – 17
Price: $695
Wk7 Fairfax Character Modeling and Animation with 3Ds Max (Intro)
In this intro level course, students will be able to create characters and bring them to life using the 3D modeling software Autodesk 3Ds Max. All of the great 3D game characters you know and love are made with the process we learn in this course. You’ll start your journey by learning the fundamentals of creating 3D design and step by step, creating a 3D character. You’ll also be introduced to texturing 3D models and rigging them for 3D animation. This course is a great foundation for students who are interested in 3D art and animation.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 27 – 31
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk7 Fairfax Roblox Game Development (Intro)
This course utilizes the Roblox game platform to teach students game design and development. Students will build multiplayer worlds and use the Lua programming language to create desired game mechanics. During the second half of the course, students will create their own game by choosing from a collection of custom tutorials provided with one of the base game templates provided (Platformer, Racer, RPG). Students will publish their games on Roblox to share with their classmates and their parents.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 27 – 31
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695
Wk7 Fairfax Web Design with JavaScript (Intro)
In this intro course, students will learn the basics of web design. Students will be taught how to write simple JavaScript code for the purposes of making a simple website on which they can show off and host other coding projects they have made as an online portfolio.
Prerequisites:
Keyboard typing skills
General knowledge of IT/computers
Location: Fairfax George Mason University
Dates: Week 7: July 27 – 31
Times: 9 AM – 4 PM (1 hour for lunch at noon)
Ages: 12 – 17
Price: $695