Mason Game and Technology Academy

Ms. Vera Lichtenberg is the founding Director of the VSGI’s Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA), one of the largest youth STEM programs in the U.S., hosting students and school teachers on Mason campuses each summer from around the globe.
Vera Lichtenberg, the founding Director of the VSGI’s Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA). (Retired as  Director of the Academy - April 1, 2022)

MGTA inspires students to pursue advanced studies in STEM fields and helps prepare them for success. 

One of the most transformational community programs in the nation, The Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA) is part of the Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI) and the nationally acclaimed Mason Computer Game Design Program.

MGTA is the K-12 program for game design, allowing students of all ages and levels of experience the ability to learn about the same technologies that our undergraduate students and professionals use regularly. In addition to teaching K-12 students, MGTA offers Game Design students internships, allowing them to teach some of the skills they’ve learned personally to the next generation of upcoming game designers.

MGTA was founded in 2013 to provide students the rare opportunity to engage with university professors and advanced Game Design and CS students, through challenging enrichment courses that combine all of the STEM core competencies in a challenging, fun, and engaging way. 

Python is an excellent first programming language because students can quickly learn how to think like a programmer.
In Minecraft Modding classes, students are able to progress from introductory to advanced Java programming.
A student play testing a game designed in their 3D Game Design class.
A camper assembling a new computer as part of an Intro to Computer Hardware class.
Students build 2D and 3D worlds and utilize C# scripts to create desired game mechanics in a Unity and C# class.