washington DC historical tour with george mason Univercity global steam pathway program

5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS

ITINERARY

DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON DC

Meet at the school and proceed to Atlanta Airport.

Flight # TBD, departs from ATL Airport.

Arrives at Washington DC Airport.

Proceed to explore Washington DC.

Photo Stop at the White House and the Washington Monument.

Visit one of the Smithsonian Museum listed below:

National Air and Space Museum
National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of African Art
National Museum of American History

Proceed to hotel & check in.

Stay overnight at Washington DC.

DAY 02: VISIT HISTORICAL SITES: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT VERNON, WOODLAWN HISTORIC SITE, ETC.

After Breakfast proceed to George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Walk in the footsteps of a president at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The most visited historic estate in America, Mount Vernon offers a glimpse into 18th-century plantation life through beautiful grounds, intriguing museum exhibits, and immersive programs honoring George Washington’s legacy. Don’t miss Be Washington, a new award-winning interactive experience that puts you in the boots of George Washington as commander in Chief or president as you face the leadership challenges he confronted. For a more in-depth workshop, students can serve on Washington’s cabinet in The Situation Room.

Next, make your way to another historic site that is steeped in culture. For architecture buffs, this is a 2-for-1 must-see. Woodlawn Historic Site was part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. In 1799, he gave the site to his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Lewis’ new bride, Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis, Martha’s granddaughter, in hopes of keeping Nelly close to Mount Vernon. The newly married couple built the Georgian/Federal house designed by William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol. Operated as a historic house museum since 1949, Woodlawn is an interesting case-study of the cultural relevance of the house museum.

Next, drive six miles south to wrap up your day at the thriving Workhouse Arts Center. Explore a former prison turned vibrant art space at the Workhouse Arts Center. The campus is home to more than 65 working artists and offers student groups a variety of artist-led workshops including ceramics, drawing, eco art, glassblowing, theatre improv and dance. But the history of the Workhouse Arts Center is what truly sets it apart; it was a former prison for non-violent criminals. Visit the on-site Lucy Burns Museum to learn about the efforts of the courageous “Silent Sentinels”, women imprisoned at the Workhouse a century ago for demanding the right to vote in a fierce fight for equality.

Add On: Groups can also enjoy a thrilling interactive murder mystery meal that will keep you guessing (and laughing) all the way through dessert.

DAY 03: FULL DAY GLOBAL STEM PATHWAY PROGRAM AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Today, after breakfast, proceed to George Mason University.

Enjoy a full day of scientific inquiry and learn about cutting-edge technology at Virginia’s largest university by enrollment. George Mason University offers the Global STEM Pathways Program, a hands-on immersive STEM experiences for middle, high school and community college students. Learn about emerging STEM careers in areas like forensic science, data science, bioinformatics, climate dynamics, environmental science, geo-information science, and more. Your day on campus will feature a campus tour, meeting faculty, lab work and a panel session with current George Mason students to investigate real-world scientific problems. You will have a variety of tasty dining options on campus during your lunch break. Wrap up your day with a reception to receive your program certificate and an invitation to continue the learning experience by joining the Mason Global STEM Ambassadors Network.

Spend your evening indulging in some brain-teasing fun at the Room Escape Fairfax. As a player, you will be locked in a room for 60 thrilling minutes, time that you must use to find hidden clues and solve puzzles towards your escape. There is a selection of exciting scenarios to choose from including “Save the White House”, “The Cure”, “Escape from Venus”, “Survive the Joker’s Trap” and “Jail Bus” (the transportable escape room).

Add On: Potomac River Cruise Tour

DAY 04: VISIT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ARMY, GEORGE MASON’S GUNSTON HALL, ETC.

Today, after breakfast, proceed to visit the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial (opening in 2020). In 1917, more than 120 suffragists were imprisoned in the Occoquan Workhouse (now the Workhouse Arts Center) in retaliation for picketing the Woodrow Wilson White House for the right to vote. The reports of inhumane conditions, beatings and force-feeding at the workhouse electrified the country and became the “turning point” in the struggle for the 19th Amendment. Take a self-guided tour of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial, the nation’s only suffragist memorial dedicating to commemorating the struggle of these women and educating future generations.

Proceed to visit Fairfax County’s newest museum (opening TBD). The National Museum of the US Army shines a unique light on the symbiotic relationship between Army and society, highlighting the Army’s direct influence on our nation socially, technologically, scientifically, financially, and culturally. The Experiential Learning Center provides a unique and immersive learning space for student groups to participate in hands-on G-STEM (Geography and STEM) learning activities. Groups also get to work in small teams to solve an Army humanitarian mission.

Next, make your own custom chocolate bars at River-Sea Chocolates. This family-owned chocolate factory crafts artisan chocolate using premium quality cacao sourced from small-scale sustainable farms around the world. Enjoy a bean-to-bar factory tour to see, smell, touch and taste the entire process of chocolate making. This educational voyage touches on factors that contribute to taste and the social and environmental impacts of cacao trade. The bar decorating class allows students to let loose their creative side while the chocolate making class gives you first-hand experience tempering chocolate before decorating your own bars.