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Pennsylvania

A Week With the Scientists at Penn State University

Program No. 14314RJ
Discover the science behind weather forecasting, searching for planets and how to detect black holes — captivating discussions and exciting excursions with Penn State experts.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 19 - May 24, 2024
Starting at
1,449
Itinerary Note

Astronomy: Planets, Stars, Galaxies and the Universe.

Jun 2 - Jun 7, 2024
Starting at
1,449
Itinerary Note

Meteorology: Weather Patterns, Predictions and Climate Change.

Jun 9 - Jun 14, 2024
Starting at
1,449
Itinerary Note

Astronomy: Planets, Stars, Galaxies and the Universe.

DATES & starting prices
PRICES
May 19 - May 24, 2024
Starting at
1,749
Itinerary Note

Astronomy: Planets, Stars, Galaxies and the Universe.

Filling Fast!
Jun 2 - Jun 7, 2024
Starting at
1,749
Itinerary Note

Meteorology: Weather Patterns, Predictions and Climate Change.

Jun 9 - Jun 14, 2024
Starting at
1,749
Itinerary Note

Astronomy: Planets, Stars, Galaxies and the Universe.

6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

The sky is not the limit on this learning adventure! Choose your week to study astronomy, meteorology, or Physics alongside some of the nation’s leading scientists at Penn State University. Behind-the-scenes excursions and expert-led discussions allow for the exploration of weather patterns or asteroid impacts, while using the most cutting-edge technology the university has to offer. Discover how the universe was created and learn about detecting black holes and neutron star and visit a Nuclear Reactor with Penn State experts.
Activity Level
Easy Going
A trolley is available to transport participants from the hotel to the campus.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Choose the Meteorology date and learn how to read radar, observational networks and understand numerical weather prediction with demonstrations from expert meteorologists.
  • Choose the Astronomy date and learn from knowledgeable astronomers about Mars in 3-D and dark energy while searching for planets and life around other stars.
  • Choose the Astronomy date and View astronomical objects through a variety of telescopes including one large research-grade telescope.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Jon M. Nese
Jon is associate head of undergraduate programs and a teaching professor in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State, where he teaches a variety of undergraduate courses. He was previously chief meteorologist at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and on-air storm analyst at The Weather Channel. He has co-authored two books: "The Philadelphia Area Weather Book," which received the 2005 Louis J. Battan Author’s Award from the American Meteorological Society, and a college-level introductory textbook, "A World of Weather: Fundamentals of Meteorology."

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Jon Nese
Jon M. Nese View biography
Jon is associate head of undergraduate programs and a teaching professor in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State, where he teaches a variety of undergraduate courses. He was previously chief meteorologist at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and on-air storm analyst at The Weather Channel. He has co-authored two books: "The Philadelphia Area Weather Book," which received the 2005 Louis J. Battan Author’s Award from the American Meteorological Society, and a college-level introductory textbook, "A World of Weather: Fundamentals of Meteorology."
Profile Image of Chris Palma
Chris Palma View biography
Chris Palma is the associate dean for undergraduate students in the Eberly College of Science at Penn State University. He earned a B.S. in astronomy and astrophysics from Penn State and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Virginia. For his research, he studies dwarf galaxies near the Milky Way as well as educational practices for introductory astronomy. He is actively involved in the training of K-12 science teachers.
Profile Image of Kevin Luhman
Kevin Luhman View biography
Kevin Luhman is a professor at Penn State University. He earned B.S. degrees in astronomy and physics from the University of Texas and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Arizona. For his research, he studies brown dwarfs and the birth of stars and planets.
Profile Image of Jane Charlton
Jane Charlton View biography
Jane Charlton graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1983 with a B.S. in chemistry and physics. She received her Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of Chicago in 1987. After postdoctoral positions at Cornell University and the University of Arizona, she came to Penn State in 1992. She is now a professor of astronomy and astrophysics, working on a variety of topics including galaxy evolution, interacting galaxies, and quasars. Charlton developed a science fiction story-based online course in Astronomy for Penn State undergraduates.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Adventures in Tornado Alley: The Storm Chasers
by Mike Hollingshead, Eric Nguyen, Chuck Doswell
The destructive power of nature has always been a source of fear and fascination, and never more so than now, when climate change and extreme weather conditions are constantly in the news. Across the central United States, the infamous storms of Tornado Alley are fueled by the collision of cold fronts from Canada and warm fronts from the Gulf of Mexico. People have been chasing these storms for decades in pursuit of thrilling experiences, but now a new generation of storm chasers is combining scientific knowledge with powerful images.
An Observers Guide to Clouds and Weather
by Toby N. Carlson, Paul Knight, Celia Wykoff
With help from Penn State experts, start at the beginning and go deep. This primer, intended for both serious enthusiasts and new meteorology students, will leave you with both refined observation skills and an understanding of the complex science behind the weather: the ingredients for making reliable predictions of your own. It is currently possible to access the weather maps, satellite photographs, and radar displays and learn forecasts up to ten days or more in advance online. Available data are generated by powerful computers that use banks of differential equations and mounds of data to make their predictions. And yet knowing what the atmosphere has in store can be a much more simple, intimate, and rewarding experience: simply look at the sky. This informative and accessible guide walks readers through the process of making weather predictions through understanding cloud types and sky formations. It connects fundamental meteorological concepts with the processes that shape weather patterns, and will make a potential expert of any dedicated student or reader.
Weather Explained: A Beginners Guide to the Elements
by Derek Elsom
Weather--it's all around us, but sometimes we don't notice it: other times, it's all we can talk about. With an in-depth look at the way weather works, an exploration of the power of storms and extreme weather, and an investigation into how we make forecasts, Weather Explained provides the answers behind what we experience when we walk outdoors.
Weather: The Ultimate Book of Meteorological Events
by Accord Publishing
Weather: The Ultimate Book of Meteorological Events is a comprehensive volume that combines dozens of essays from more than 20 meteorology and climate change experts. Adapted from over 20 years of material from the bestselling Weather Guide calendar, it is a compilation of some of the most spectacular weather photography and writing in the world. In order to fully appreciate the weather's majestic beauty, more than 100 photographers have contributed their awe-inspiring images, expertly portraying some of the most dramatic weather events of the past two decades.
Meals
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Low Salt, Gluten Free, Low Fat
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024
  • Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024
  • May 19, 2024 - May 24, 2024
  • Jun 02, 2024 - Jun 07, 2024
  • Jun 09, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024
5 nights
State College
Hyatt Place State College is a stylish boutique-style hotel located steps away from Penn State in the heart of State College, PA. The property features 165 guest rooms and an on-site restaurant and shops. The hotel is within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, and the Palmer Museum of Art, and is a convenient 4 mile drive from nearby University Park Airport.
5 nights
State College
Hyatt Place State College is a stylish boutique-style hotel located steps away from Penn State in the heart of State College, PA. The property features 165 guest rooms and an on-site restaurant and shops. The hotel is within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, and the Palmer Museum of Art, and is a convenient 4 mile drive from nearby University Park Airport.
5 nights
State College
Hyatt Place State College is a stylish boutique-style hotel located steps away from Penn State in the heart of State College, PA. The property features 165 guest rooms and an on-site restaurant and shops. The hotel is within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, and the Palmer Museum of Art, and is a convenient 4 mile drive from nearby University Park Airport.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.