Pennsylvania
A Week With the Scientists at Penn State University
Program No. 14314RJ
Discover the science behind searching for planets, weather forecasting and materials used for energy through captivating discussions and exciting excursions with Penn State experts.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
12 expert-led lectures
4 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation, Meteorology Intro
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:30-6:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
Joined by the professors - choose what you like from the dinner buffet with coffee, tea, and water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Multiple instructors will lead lessons and field trips, each with their own style and areas of expertise. All instructional sessions will take place at the Weather Center in the Walker Building, which is about 0.4 mile from the Inn. Transportation will be provided for those who prefer not to walk. Given the nature of meteorological observation, some activities may be altered depending on weather conditions. For our lunches, participants will receive prepaid debit cards to choose and buy lunch (included in the program cost) from an extensive selection at the Hetzel Union Building. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll wrap up as our presenters give an introduction on the basics of meteorology. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Day
2
Forecasting Fundamentals & Weather Analysis
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Walking .4 miles ot campus, or getting in/out of a van necessitating going up/down a 2 steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet, plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
We’ll set off for our first day on the Penn State campus. You have the option to walk or take van transportation. After arriving at the Weather Center in the Walker Building, we’ll get started with an orientation focusing on weather basics and forecasting fundamentals with our instructors.
Lunch:
At the Hetzel Union Building (HUB), participants will be given prepaid debit cards with which to buy lunch included in the program cost. Among many other choices, the most popular choice is the Soup & Garden, which offers choices from a diverse salad and hot main dish bar.
Afternoon:
After returning to Walker Building, we’ll have two more lectures about weather analysis and numerical weather prediction with the expert instructors. In the late afternoon, the group will split in two. Each will participate in one activity. For our first activity, we will have the unique opportunity, exclusively for Road Scholar, to see and learn about the inner workings of the weekday TV show "Weather World" filmed right in the Walker Building's TV studio. For our second activity, we will have the opportunity to participate in a data analysis exercise with our instructors to enrich our understanding of meteorological evaluation. Whichever activity you did not do today, you will participate in tomorrow!
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. You may wish to visit other attractions on campus and in town on your own or just relax at the inn.
Day
3
Field trip, Satellite Imagery & Observational Networks
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus necessitating going up/down a few steps. Thirty minute drive-through campus tour. Ten minute motor coach drive for the field trip.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will start the day by boarding the bus and doing a drive through tour of Penn State Campus. After this, we will go on a field trip just minutes down the road for an expert-led visit of a a weather facility.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
Our lecture series will continue in the Walker Building with our instructors as we address technology such as satellite and radar imagery used in weather forecasting and observational networks. In the late afternoon, the group will again split in two, and participate in the activity they did not do yesterday. For our first activity, we will have the unique opportunity, exclusively for Road Scholar, to see and learn about the inner workings of the weekday TV show "Weather World" filmed right in the Walker Building's TV studio. For our second activity, we will have the opportunity to participate in a data analysis exercise with our instructors to enrich our understanding of meteorological evaluation.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Hurricanes, field trip, Weather on the Web, Office Hours
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus necessitating going up/down a few steps; walking five minutes to dinner. Ten minute motor coach drive for the field trip.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we’ll delve deep into the world of hurricanes and emergency management with our expert lecturers in the Walker Building.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will take the bus to visit, and have an expert led tour, of Accuweather - a local weather organization. Returning to the Walker Building, strap in for a whirlwind exploration of Weather on the Web. Our lectures today will be followed by optional office hours. You are welcome to stay and ask your instructors follow-up questions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. You may wish to visit other attractions on campus and in town on your own or just relax at the inn.
Day
5
Severe Weather, Human Impact, office hours, guest speaker
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Walking .4 miles ot campus, or getting in/out of a van necessitating going up/down a 2 steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Starting out the day at the Walker Building, we will hear a lecture on thunderstorms and severe weather.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will hear a lecture exploring the impact humans can have on weather and climate. We’ll learn about these current hot topics from our instructors. Our afternoon will end with optional office hours. Feel free to stay and ask your instructors your lingering quesitons.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
After our farewell dinner, we'll be joined by a special guest for one final lecture to wrap up the program. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Professor Breakfast, Wrap-Up Session, Program Concludes
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
For our final meal of the program together, our professors from week will join us at the hotel for the breakfast buffet.
Morning:
This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy all your Road Scholar learning adventures and we look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025
Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025
Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
Jun 1 - Jun 6, 2025 Itinerary Differences:
Meteorology: Weather Patterns, Predictions and Climate Change.
