NOVA Labs makerschool provides an uncommon, innovative approach to twenty-first-century education! It strives toward its vision of creating the global innovators, leaders, and makers of the future by offering authentic learning, play, and experimentation opportunities.
Your children — Kindergarteners through high schoolers — are invited to join them for a maker camp like no other! Whether they’re budding hobbyists, tinkerers, engineers, artisans, or entrepreneurs, NOVA Labs makerschool has a summer opportunity for them:
GRADES 1-3
June 16-20, 2025
LEGO Master Builders
This class is all about LEGO worlds — amusement parks, space exploration, and superhero cities. Your child will become a master builder while learning basic mechanics with the LEGO BricQ and WeDo sets.
June 23-27, 2025
Alchemy for Young Wizards
Unleash your inner wizard in this magical camp! Campers will craft potions, create dazzling reactions, and explore mystical science. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, and outdoor exploration, they’ll build literacy, math, and social skills in a week of enchanting fun.
June 30-July 3, 2025
Young Inventors: Explore Mechanical Machines
Young inventors will create imaginative machines, from mechanical dinosaurs to wind-powered cars. They’ll build simple automatons and custom night lights while exploring gears, simple machines, and mechanical concepts.
July 7-11, 2025
Amazing Aeronauts
Soar to new heights in this flight-themed camp! Campers will explore aerodynamics by designing planes, launching rockets, and building flying creations. This hands-on week also fosters literacy, math, and social skills — perfect for young adventurers!
July 14-18, 2025
Magic Makers: Magician’s Academy
Step into a world of magic in this camp for young magicians! Campers will learn dazzling tricks, craft props like wands and capes, and master sleight of hand. Through hands-on activities, they’ll build confidence, creativity, and magical skills to amaze!
July 21-25, 2025
Hero Forge: Build a Super Suit
Cape or no cape? You decide! Campers will design and build their own superhero outfits, complete with capes and accessories. Along the way, they’ll learn maker techniques like cutting, gluing, and sewing. A creative adventure fit for every young hero!
July 28-Aug 1, 2025
The Pirate’s Life: Makers of the High Seas
Arrgh, me hearties! Set sail for a swashbuckling adventure as campers become pirates! They’ll craft hats, build parrots, design boats, and draw treasure maps. With hands-on activities and pirate games, this camp is packed with creativity, teamwork, and nautical fun!
Aug 4-8, 2025
Dragon Tamers: Make Mechanical Dragons
Tame your dragon in this creative camp for young dreamers! Campers will design mechanical dragon companions, craft dragon-scale armor, sew monster stuffies, and make pop-up cards. A week of hands-on fun and imagination awaits!
GRADES 3-6
June 23-27 & July 21-25, 2025
Introduction to LEGO Robotics with EV3
Using LEGO EV3 kits, campers will explore the engineering design process in robotics. They’ll define problems, build prototypes, test solutions, and refine designs—all while embracing FIRST Robotics’ spirit of cooperation and professionalism. This is a great introduction to next year’s Robotics Season!
July 7-11 & July 28-Aug 1, 2025
Competition Ready with LEGO Robotics
Using LEGO EV3 kits and Education plans, campers will explore the engineering process in competitive robotics. They’ll build and program autonomous robots using sensors — perfect prep for next year’s FIRST Robotics Season!
GRADES 4-6
June 16-20, 2025
Makerspace Explorers
Is your camper ready to explore Makerspace tools and technologies? In this hands-on camp, students will master 3D printers, electronics, hand tools, and vinyl cutters. They’ll learn safe, effective tool use while earning stamps in their ‘Maker Passport’ and gaining confidence with each skill. Guided by Makerschool instructors, students will develop independence and creativity, making this the perfect program to spark curiosity and hands-on learning.
June 23-27 & July 14-18, 2025
Elephant Toothpaste & Other Explosions
Make summer a blast! Campers will dive into Mark Rober-inspired experiments and activities, from creating elephant toothpaste to tackling the Nova Labs Air Rocket Build Challenge and designing mousetrap cars. Get ready for a summer of exciting, hands-on discovery!
June 30-July 3, 2025
Gravity Cars & Gizmos
Campers will tackle three exciting engineering challenges — building gravity-powered cars, designing egg-drop contraptions, and racing robots. Perfect for aspiring engineers, this camp fosters creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on fun!
July 7-11, 2025
Mico-Pets with Mico: bits
In this hands-on camp, campers will design, build, and program their own robotic best friend using Micro: bit. From robot dogs to Kraken creations, the possibilities are endless! This fun educational camp also includes literacy, math, and outdoor activities.
July 21-25, 2025
STEM Explorers Girls
This camp is designed for young girls and sparks creativity through robotics, coding, 3D printing, and more! Campers will code robotic animals, design cookie cutters, build rocket cars, and create habitats — all while exploring STEM in a fun, hands-on way.
July 28-Aug 1, 2025
Galactic Explorers and Space Pirates
Set sail through the stars in this adventure where space exploration meets pirate lore! Campers will design telescopes and 3D-print spaceships, create galaxy art, and craft pirate gear. With treasure hunts and rocket-powered pirate ships, this camp is an unforgettable cosmic quest!
Aug 4-8, 2025
Bridges, Trebuchets & Castles
Step back in time for a medieval adventure in engineering! Campers will design and build catapults, trebuchets, castles, and bridges, combining hands-on making with castle defense challenges. This camp sparks creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork — perfect for aspiring engineers and fantasy fans!
GRADES 5-12
June 30-July 3, July 14-18, & Aug 4-8, 2025
Coding Autonomous Drones
This camp introduces campers to drone technology and coding through real-world missions. They’ll explore applications, regulations, and flight concepts while piloting FPV drones with beginner-friendly block coding. No prior experience is needed — perfect for aspiring drone enthusiasts!
TEENS 12+
June 16-20 & July 21-25, 2025
Shop Foundations: Mixed Media Makers
In this beginner-friendly camp, young makers will explore the Mixed Media Shop at Nova Labs. In a safe environment, they’ll gain hands-on experience with drills, hand tools, and power tools while learning sawing, carving, sculpting, and finishing techniques. Campers will create artistic and functional projects to take home and cherish using wood and other materials.
June 23-27 & July 14-18, 2025
Ultimate Makers: Maker Technology
In this camp, teens turn ideas into reality using digital fabrication, laser cutting, soldering, 3D printing, and electronics. Each day brings new challenges to build skills and creativity. Guided by expert makers in a state-of-the-art makerspace, campers transform from curious learners to skilled creators.
June 23-27, 2025
Makers’ Movie Magic: Stop-Motion Filmmaking
Students will direct, record, and animate their own stop-motion project. They’ll design sets using digital and traditional tools, create characters, and bring their story to life. This class fosters creativity while teaching design, storytelling, editing, and animation principles.
June 30-July 3, 2025
Manga & Comics
Campers will explore Manga and Comics, creating original stories with digital and traditional tools. Guided by artists, they’ll develop characters and transform designs into comic books, buttons, and more.
July 7-11, 2025
Cosplay: Sewing & Costumes
Bring your favorite characters to life in this cosplay sewing camp! Teens will design and sew a custom cloak and accessories, then personalize them using makerspace tools like a laser cutter and heat press. No sewing experience needed — just creativity and a passion for costumes!
July 21-25, 2025
Cosplay: Prop Making
Bring your favorite characters to life with custom props! Teens will design and build an EVA foam helmet, master finishing techniques, and wire basic electronics for light-up effects. Using tools like a laser cutter, heat press, and 3D printer, this camp takes cosplay creativity to the next level!
Aug 4-8, 2025
Laser Cut Art & Murals
Teens will explore public art by designing stencils and creating a collaborative mural for Nova Labs. They’ll learn art history, laser cutting, painting, and finishing while crafting unique pieces to take home. Teamwork and creativity shine in this hands-on, mural-making experience!
TEENS 13+
June 16-20, 2025
Digital Art Makers
Teens will explore graphic design using open-source software and bring their creations to life with laser cutters, vinyl cutters, sublimation printers, and heat presses. Perfect for young artists, this camp focuses on transforming digital art into wearable and shareable pieces like clothing, bags, and hats.
June 30-July 3 & July 28-Aug 1, 2025
Woodworking 101
Designed for junior makers, this camp offers a safe woodshop experience. Campers will use tools like drill presses, scroll saws, and hammers to craft projects they can proudly take home.
July 14-18, 2025
Art Studio: Jewelry, Stained Glass & Resin
Explore the Nova Labs Studio Shop in this hands-on camp! Teens will craft metal jewelry, experiment with resin casting, and create stained glass pieces while learning cutting, soldering, and metalworking. Perfect for art-loving makers, campers will take home stunning handmade creations.
July 28-Aug 1, 2025
Hands-On Electronics: Build a Synthesizer
Build your own synthesizer in this hands-on electronics camp! Teens will learn soldering and laser cutting as they assemble a synth board and design a custom case. By week’s end, they’ll take home a functional synthesizer and skills to keep experimenting — perfect for tech-savvy makers!
TEENS 14+
July 7-11 & Aug 4-8, 2025
Woodworking & Metalworking
In this hands-on camp, teens will refine their woodworking and metalworking skills, progressing from 80 to 220-grit. Guided by expert makers, they’ll master safe tools to use to create practical, high-quality projects that are perfect for aspiring artisans.
CONNECT
☎️ (703) 437-5780
🌐 Website
🌐 Summer Camps
🔗 Facebook • Instagram
📌 3850 Jermantown Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030 • Fairfax County
Important Disclaimer: Events/opportunities on DullesMoms.com are curated from public sources and subject to changes/cancellations that might not be reflected. Always click on the provided event link to confirm details.
#NLMSummer