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The Milky Way and starry night sky over a Pennsylvania pine forest, illustrating the science of searching for planets with Penn State University scientists.
Pennsylvania

A Week With the Scientists at Penn State University

Program No. 14314RJ
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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 )
13 expert-led lectures
5 expert-led field trips
5 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
4:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 4:30 p.m. Program Registration; 6:00 p.m. Welcome Dinner and Orientation. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:30-6:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room with the professors.
Evening:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Instructors will lead lessons and field trips, each with their own style and areas of expertise. The majority of the instructional sessions will take place either at the Millenium Science Complex or at the Steidle Building. Transportation will be provided. For 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 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/current 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 to material science! They will address what materials science and engineering is and why it's so interesting. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a coach necessitating going up/down 2 steps. Coach has wheelchair lift if requested. Walking from the coach into the lecture hall and museum.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room, choose what you like from the breakfast buffet.
Morning:
We’ll set off on a narrated trolley ride around the Penn State campus. After arriving at Millennium Science Complex, we’ll get a lecture to understand what does a materials scientist actually does.
Lunch:
At the Hetzel Union Biulding (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 option is the Soup & Garden, which offers choices from a diverse salad and hot main dish bar.
Afternoon:
After returning to the Millennium Science Complex, we’ll focus on how materials respond to light: why some materials are mirrors while others are windows and why different materials are different colors. We will finish the afternoon with multiple hands-on optics demonstrations.
Dinner:
Hotel buffet.
Evening:
After dinner, we will return to campus to get a private tour of the university's Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum led by the museum's docent.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a coach necessitating going up/down 2 steps. Coach has wheelchair lift if requested. Walking from the coach into the lecture hall. Taking the elevator to the lab tours and walking few hundred yards on the tour.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
At the Millennium Science Complex with our instructors, we will start with a lecture on semiconductors and how they are shaping modern society. Next, we will hear the story of the blue LED!
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
Our lecture series will continue in the Millennium Science Complex where our instructors will address critical materials. We will then hear a facilities use overview talk before embarking on tours of our fabrication and characterization facilities.
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. You may wish to visit other attractions on campus and in town on your own or just relax at the hotel.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a coach necessitating going up/down 2 steps. Coach has wheelchair lift if requested. Walking from the coach into the lecture hall. Walking few hundred yards on the tour. Walking .2 miles to and from dinner; climbing one flight of stairs in restaurant; small, slow service elevator available if necessary.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We will spend today at the Steidle Building. This morning we will learn about Materials Science Teaching and Research at Penn State followed by an introduction to materials and demonstrations.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
We have a full afternoon with lectures on artificial intelligence used to design new materials as well as electrochemistry. These will be followed by demonstrations and a tour of the Tour of Steidle Building labs.
Dinner:
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a coach necessitating going up/down 2 steps. Coach has wheelchair lift if requested. Walking from the coach into the lecture hall.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
At the Steidle Building, we will learn about polymers for various applications followed by demonstrations.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
Back at the Steidle Building, attend a lecture on quantum information material science: the future of computing. This will be followed by a talk on metals and ceramics - processing them and their properties. We will end the day with more fascinating demonstrations.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure, or spend time with your fellow Road Scholars, reflecting on the knowledge you’ve gained over the course of the program! Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Our professors from this week will join us at the hotel for breakfast. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like 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.
May 16, 2027 - May 21, 2027
May 23, 2027 - May 28, 2027
Jun 06, 2027 - Jun 11, 2027
Jun 13, 2027 - Jun 18, 2027
May 16 - May 21, 2027 Itinerary Differences: SCIENCE of MODERN MATERIALS (Electronics, Plastics, Glass, and Energy) is the focus of this departure date.