K-12 Initiatives

US Drone Soccer

Dates:

• January 24
• February 7
• February 28
• March 7

Time: Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 6-12

The US Drone Soccer League is an innovative program designed to engage middle and high school students in Esports and gaming, preparing them for future STEM careers in aviation and engineering. In collaboration with local organizations, this program introduces students to unmanned aircraft systems, teaching them to build, test, and fly drones in a competitive 5 versus 5 aviation-based format. Through this hands-on experience, students gain valuable insights into the engineering principles and physics of flight, equipping them with the skills necessary for high-demand technical fields.

Check out the highlights of last year's regional competition below.

Immersion Days

Dates:

• February 16
• April 16

Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: 9 - 12

High school students from the Alexandria Public School system are invited to register for a dynamic series of four half-day sessions, where they'll engage in hands-on, inquiry-based learning using Databot technology. Guided by the K-12 initiatives team, students will design hypotheses, develop protocols, conduct experiments, and analyze data, ultimately presenting their research findings to family and peers. This program fosters critical thinking and scientific exploration, empowering students to draw meaningful conclusions from their innovative projects.

Registration will reopen in August 2026.

College Readiness and Research Hybrid Sessions

Date: March 9
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Zoom

The College Readiness and Research Program (CR&R), funded by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, aims to help first-generation students prepare for college. By increasing college enrollment among low-income individuals, veterans, and first-generation students, the program seeks to break down educational barriers and spark interest in STEM fields. With support from the MAOP undergraduate team, CR&R hosts two hybrid sessions annually, offering interactive discussions and expert panels on topics like career pathways and financial aid, providing mentorship and guidance beyond traditional school resources.

STEM Xplorers Field Trip

Virginia Tech STEM Discovery Fair

Dates:

• January 28
• February 4
• February 11
• February 18
• February 25

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location:  Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: K-12

Join us for the third annual Virginia Tech STEM Discovery Fair at Virginia Tech Academic Building 1! This exciting event is packed with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities designed just for K-12 students, sparking creativity and curiosity as they explore groundbreaking projects in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Discover the fun and adventure of STEM as you dive into a world of innovation and learning!

Virginia Tech OceanBowl Fest

Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location:  Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 3 - 8

The inaugural VT OCEANS Bowls Games Competition invites schools to register or inquire about entering their teams in this dynamic event. This annual competition offers students an incredible chance to explore STEAM concepts through a mix of physical and digital challenges. Schools interested in fostering essential skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in a fun and interactive environment are encouraged to reach out and secure their participation.

Engineer a Robot Limb

Dates:

• June 29 - July 1
• July 27 - July 31

Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Registration Fee: $400
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 2-5
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 pm

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming costs. Program fees are non-refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.

Data Detective: Explore Tech in Action

Dates:

• TBA

Times: TBA
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: TBA

The Data Detective: Explore Tech in Action is a thrilling adventure that lets students dive into the wondrous world of technology! This program is packed with fun and excitement as students discover how modern gadgets work, including cool sensors and computers. They will have a blast with hands-on activities, making learning both fun and engaging!

Science of Flight

Dates: July 13 - July 17
Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Registration Fee: TBA
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: TBA
Number of Students: TBA
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: TBA

Engineer a Robot Limb

Dates: June 23 - June 26
Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Registration Fee: Free
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 3-5
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:30 pm

Register for an exciting journey into the world of biomedical engineering, where young minds will get a chance to combine biology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. This program is specifically designed to engage elementary students with hands-on and minds-on activities, allowing them to explore and understand the fascinating intersection of technology and healthcare. 

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming costs. Program fees are non-refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.

Data Detectives: Explore Tech in Action

Dates: July 27 - July 31
Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Registration Fee: $400
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: K-12
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 pm

The Data Detective: Explore Tech in Action is a thrilling adventure that lets students dive into the wondrous world of technology! This program is packed with fun and excitement as students discover how modern gadgets work, including cool sensors and computers. They will have a blast with hands-on activities, making learning both fun and engaging!

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming costs. Program fees are non-refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.   

Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action

Dates: July 13 - July 17
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Registration Fee: $400
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 2-5
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: Thursday, July 16 at 6:30 pm

The Data Detective: Explore Tech in Action is a thrilling adventure that lets students dive into the wondrous world of technology! This program is packed with fun and excitement as students discover how modern gadgets work, including cool sensors and computers. They will have a blast with hands-on activities, making learning both fun and engaging!

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming costs. Program fees are non-refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.

Explore the Future Through Data and Sensor Technology

Dates: July 20 - July 24
Times: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Registration Fee: $400
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: TBA
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: Tuesday, July 8 at 6:30 pm

Register for the “Explore the Future Through Data and Sensor Technology” Summer Program! This immersive experience invites middle school students to delve into the fascinating world of sensor technology, coding, and data science. Here, students will not only learn about technology but also see, hear, and perceive it in action.The Summer Program is designed to engage young minds in a hands-on learning environment. Through interactive sessions, students will explore a variety of sensors, how they work and their applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring and smart homes. They will be encouraged to think critically and creatively, and work collaboratively as they uncover hidden insights within data and code sensors to perform specific functions. 

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming cost. Program fees are non-refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Program Overview

Dates: July 23 - July 26
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Registration Fee: $800
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 6 - 8
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: Thursday, June 17 at 6:30 pm

The AI and Robotics Program is a dynamic, 40-hour educational experience hosted at Virginia Tech. Designed for middle school students, this program immerses young learners in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence, with a focus on developing a VEX IQ robot that simulates a NASA Mars Rover Mission. Students will gain foundational skills in engineering and programming, including simulation programming of a rover, while exploring various STEM career paths. 

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming costs. Program fees are non refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.

Engineering the Future with Data and Sensor Technology

Dates: July 7 - July 20
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Registration Fee: $400
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 11 - 12
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 pm

The summer program “Engineer the Future with Data and Sensor Technology” offers an exciting opportunity for students to delve into the realms of data, sensor technology, and coding by engaging with real-world engineering problems. Through both individual research interests and collaborative projects, participants will enhance their understanding of STEM fields and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming costs. Program fees are non-refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.

Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action

Dates: July 27 - July 31
Times: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Registration Fee: $800
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, 3625 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305
Age Groups: Grades 9 - 12
Number of Students: 30
Mandatory Student and Parent Virtual Orientation: July 23 at 6:30 pm

Get ready to lift off with Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action, a high-energy, hands-on summer program designed for middle and high school students excited by flight, coding, and innovation. Hosted at the Virginia Tech Academic Building One, this immersive week-long camp introduces students to the world of aerial robotics through daily challenges, guided learning, and collaborative exploration.

Program fees cover meals, materials, staff, travel, t-shirts, lanyards, and programming cost. Program fees are non-refundable and transferable for up to 12 months of the program date.