Pennsylvania
A Week With the Scientists at Penn State University
Program No. 14314RSBLOG
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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800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
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DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 18 - May 23, 2025
Starting at
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6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
1
Registration, Dinner, Orientation, Intro Material Sciences
University Park/State College, PA
2
Campus Tour, material synthesis, 2D materials
University Park/State College, PA
3
Polymers, biomaterials, 3D printing
University Park/State College, PA
4
Semiconductors, computational materials science, solar cells
University Park/State College, PA
5
Ferroelectrics/piezoelectrics, metals, glass & ceramics
University Park/State College, PA
6
Review, Program Concludes
University Park/State College, PA
At a Glance
The sky is not the limit on this learning adventure! Choose your week to study astronomy, meteorology, or material sciences, 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 asteroid impacts, weather patterns, and the discovery, design and use of solid materials, while using the most cutting-edge technology the university has to offer. Learn about detecting black holes, discover how the universe was created, and gain a deep understanding of glass and ceramics 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…
- Learn about engaging topics like astronomy, meteorology and material sciences.
- Spend a week on the Penn State University campus, attending lectures with university professors.
- Step outside the classroom and view astronomical objects through a variety of telescopes, visit a TV weather studio to learn how to read radar and understand numerical weather prediction, or participate in 3D printing and building your own solar cell.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Nolan Hines
Nolan Hines is a native Ohioan, born on a farm just south of Columbus. He attended Ohio State University intending to become a veterinarian, the became involved in singing and theatre activities. He spent eight years on the ships of Holland America Line as an entertainer, excursion assistant, and cruise director, then four years aboard The American Queen steamboat. Nolan now lives in Florida and since 2017 has enjoyed discovering the treasures of new places and helping participants to enjoy cultural highlights with Road programs.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
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."
Nolan Hines
View biography
Nolan Hines is a native Ohioan, born on a farm just south of Columbus. He attended Ohio State University intending to become a veterinarian, the became involved in singing and theatre activities. He spent eight years on the ships of Holland America Line as an entertainer, excursion assistant, and cruise director, then four years aboard The American Queen steamboat. Nolan now lives in Florida and since 2017 has enjoyed discovering the treasures of new places and helping participants to enjoy cultural highlights with Road programs.
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.
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.
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.
Bill Syrett
View biography
Bill Syrett was born in Bristol, Connecticut and has been fascinated by "bad" weather since he was five years old. He received his B.S. and M.S. in meteorology and was then hired by Penn State as a research assistant. In 1995, he began his tenure as the manager of Penn State's University Park weather observatory, now the Joel N. Myers Weather Center. In that position, he oversees the daily recording of official cooperative weather observations for State College, Pennsylvania.
Stephanie Law
View biography
Stephanie Law received her B.S. and Ph.D. in physics from Iowa State University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, respectively. She was employed as a postdoctoral researcher in electrical engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She joined the University of Delaware as the Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in 2014, and joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State University in 2023. She is an associate editor for the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology.
Suggested Reading List
(6 books)
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.
A Week With the Scientists at Penn State University
Program Number: 14314
Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World
This book is a New York Times bestseller because of its ease of reading and Miodownik’s ability to capture your attention, ask thought-provoking questions, and answer them with easy-to-understand materials science concepts. Miodownik explores common materials we all encounter in our everyday lives but provides an interesting perspective.
The New Science of Strong Materials: Or Why You Don't Fall through the Floor (Princeton Science Library, 58)
J. E. Gordon's classic introduction to the properties of materials used in engineering answers some fascinating and fundamental questions about how the structural world around us works. Gordon focuses on so-called strong materials--such as metals, wood, ceramics, glass, and bone--explaining in engaging and accessible terms the unique physical and chemical basis for their inherent structural qualities. He also shows how an in-depth understanding of these materials’ intrinsic strengths--and weaknesses--guides our engineering choices, allowing us to build the structures that support our society. This work is an enduring example of first-rate scientific communication. Philip Ball's introduction describes Gordon's career and the impact of his innovations in materials research, while also discussing how the field has evolved since Gordon wrote this enduring example of first-rate scientific communication.
Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction
For those interested - this book is actually an introductory textbook for Materials Science and Engineering students (prospective and current). The structure-property relationships of materials remains a key focus in MSE coursework, and this textbook discusses these relationships in great detail as it pertains to metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements
Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters?*
The periodic table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, finance, mythology, conflict, the arts, medicine, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. "The Disappearing Spoon" masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, discovery, and alchemy, from the big bang through the end of time.
In The Alchemy of Us, scientist and science writer Ainissa Ramirez examines eight inventions—clocks, steel rails, copper communication cables, photographic film, light bulbs, hard disks, scientific lab-ware, and silicon chips—and reveals how they shaped
In The Alchemy of Us, scientist and science writer Ainissa Ramirez examines eight inventions—clocks, steel rails, copper communication cables, photographic film, light bulbs, hard disks, scientific lab-ware, and silicon chips—and reveals how they shaped the human experience. Ramirez tells the stories of the woman who sold time, the inventor who inspired Edison, and the hotheaded undertaker whose invention pointed the way to the computer. She describes, among other things, how our pursuit of precision in timepieces changed how we sleep; how the railroad helped commercialize Christmas; how the necessary brevity of the telegram influenced Hemingway's writing style; and how a young chemist exposed the use of Polaroid's cameras to create passbooks to track black citizens in apartheid South Africa. These fascinating and inspiring stories offer new perspectives on our relationships with technologies.
Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History
Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance-which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts.
With lively prose and an eye for colorful and unusual details, Le Couteur and Burreson offer a novel way to understand the shaping of civilization and the workings of our contemporary world.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
University Park/State College, PA
Program Concludes
University Park/State College, PA
Meals
13
| 5B |
4L |
4D |
Activity Level
The sky is not the limit on this learning adventure! Choose your week to study astronomy, meteorology, or material sciences, 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 asteroid impacts, weather patterns, and the discovery, design and use of solid materials, while using the most cutting-edge technology the university has to offer. Learn about detecting black holes, discover how the universe was created, and gain a deep understanding of glass and ceramics with Penn State experts.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Learn about engaging topics like astronomy, meteorology and material sciences.
- Spend a week on the Penn State University campus, attending lectures with university professors.
- Step outside the classroom and view astronomical objects through a variety of telescopes, visit a TV weather studio to learn how to read radar and understand numerical weather prediction, or participate in 3D printing and building your own solar cell.
Featured Expert
Nolan Hines
Nolan Hines is a native Ohioan, born on a farm just south of Columbus. He attended Ohio State University intending to become a veterinarian, the became involved in singing and theatre activities. He spent eight years on the ships of Holland America Line as an entertainer, excursion assistant, and cruise director, then four years aboard The American Queen steamboat. Nolan now lives in Florida and since 2017 has enjoyed discovering the treasures of new places and helping participants to enjoy cultural highlights with Road programs.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
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."
Chris Palma
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.
Kevin Luhman
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.
Jane Charlton
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.
Bill Syrett
Bill Syrett was born in Bristol, Connecticut and has been fascinated by "bad" weather since he was five years old. He received his B.S. and M.S. in meteorology and was then hired by Penn State as a research assistant. In 1995, he began his tenure as the manager of Penn State's University Park weather observatory, now the Joel N. Myers Weather Center. In that position, he oversees the daily recording of official cooperative weather observations for State College, Pennsylvania.
Activity Level
Easy Going
A trolley is available to transport participants from the hotel to the campus.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(6 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Year
- 2025
Date
- May 18 - May 23
- Jun 01 - Jun 06
- Jun 08 - Jun 13
- Jun 15 - Jun 20
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Jun 15 - Jun 20, 2025 Itinerary Differences: Material Sciences: semiconductors, polymers, glasses, and materials for energy.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2025
- May 18 - May 23
- Jun 01 - Jun 06
- Jun 08 - Jun 13
- Jun 15 - Jun 20
Jun 15 - Jun 20, 2025 Itinerary Differences: Material Sciences: semiconductors, polymers, glasses, and materials for energy.
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
3 expert-led field trips
3 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Registration, Dinner, Orientation, Intro Material Sciences
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Inn 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:
In the hotel dining room with 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 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. Transportation will be provided for those who prefer not to walk. 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. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. 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 astronomy! Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Day
2
Campus Tour, material synthesis, 2D materials
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley necessitating a few steps, .3 mile walk from trolley drop off to Millennium Science Complex building.
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 lectures on lab safety and materials synthesis with our instructors.
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 have tours of the complex itself, as well as the Nanofabrication Lab. This will be followed by a lecture on 2D materials.
Dinner:
Hotel buffet.
Evening:
At leisure. You may wish to visit other attractions on campus and in town on your own or just relax at the hotel.
Day
3
Polymers, biomaterials, 3D printing
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley necessitating a few steps. .3 mile walk from trolley drop off Steidle Building.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
At the Steidle Building with our instructors, we’ll learn about 3D printing and polymers.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
Our lecture series will continue in the Steidle Building where our instructors will address biomaterials. In small groups, we will then get the unique opportunity to participate in our own 3D printing.
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.
Day
4
Semiconductors, computational materials science, solar cells
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley necessitating a few steps. .3 mile walk from trolley drop off Steidle Building.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
Strap in for lectures on semiconductors and computational materials science.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
We’ll have a lecture on solar cells. After this, we will build our own solar cells in an activity lead by our professors!
Dinner:
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Ferroelectrics/piezoelectrics, metals, glass & ceramics
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place State College
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley necessitating a few steps. .3 mile walk from trolley drop off Steidle Building.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
At the Steidle Building, we will learn about ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and metals.
Lunch:
At the Hertzel Union Building (HUB).
Afternoon:
Attend a lecture on glass blowing and ceramics, followed by a related activity.
Dinner:
Hotel buffet.
Evening:
At leisure, or spend time with your fellow Road Scholars, reflecting on the knowledge you’ve gained over the course of the program!
Day
6
Review, Program Concludes
Location:
University Park/State College, PA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
For our final meal of the program together, our professors from week will join us 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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MEALS
13 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
- May 18, 2025 - May 23, 2025
- Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025
- Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
- Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 13 Reviews
Sort By:
This trip was exactly what I was hoping for. Limited time on wheeled transportation...very walkable. Lovely campus setting. Excellent hotel. Good food. Great company, not too many, not too few. The lecturers were obviously experts who enjoy bringing others into meteorology. Great field trips...I am an Accuweather junkie. And the host...what a marvelous person and great addition to any trip. Made me happy every day.
— Review left June 29, 2024
A Top Notch Astronomy program, clearly presented by experts, covering a survey of celestial topics, including current knowledge of the solar system, the latest deep space discoveries, and current research. A BIG BANG (of a) Course!
— Review left June 24, 2024
What a rare privilege to spend the week with world-class astronomers. Not only were they knowledgable, but they were kind and patient with our many questions. I definitely want to do more reading on astronomy. It was also a pleasure being on the lovely Penn State Campus. Nolan, our group leader was a delight. The hotel location was great--close to shops and restaurants, and even a Target next door! I hope to return for another program.
— Review left June 14, 2024
Learning about weather and climate from experts was such fun. Wonderful people delivering the program throughout and like me participating. Nolan, the Road Scholar Guide, was the best! Plus the professors and staff were all top notch and truly cared about our learning and enjoying the process.
— Review left June 8, 2024
Excellent program! The Penn State faculty members who taught our classes were fantastic and kept us engaged. Also, my fellow class members were fully engaged in our interactions with the instructors. I, for one, came away with a decidedly expanded knowledge and understanding of the forces at play in our universe and a much deeper respect for the scientists and technology involved in studying them. Being on the Penn State campus rather than in an off-site classroom added to the depth of our experience. Our group leader Nolan did a super job. I'm already looking forward to returning to Penn State for other Road Scholar programs.
— Review left May 27, 2024
This is a great program - I am not a scientist, but I came away from the program understanding much more about our universe and encouraged to learn more. I am planning to view the sky at night and to continue my education in this are.
— Review left May 26, 2024
This was an awesome experience but please be aware that it involves sitting in class for extended periods of time. But it was such a good experience that I signed up for physics and got on the wait list for astronomy. I can’t wait to go back! Too bad Jon and Bill won’t be the instructors.
— Review left August 18, 2023
The Meteorology section for a week with Penn State scientists Jon Nese and Bill Syrett was and incredible and interesting program, world-class experience.
— Review left June 19, 2023
The week with the scientists at PSU covering Meteorology was excellent. The main instructor is a great teacher who tailors the material to all levels of Road Scholar participants, independent of their background.
— Review left June 12, 2023
Excellent course! My primary goal was to learn more about climate change and to understand its issues and impacts. Jon Nese (primarily) and Bill Syrett (secondarily) presented all this information in a professional yet impassioned manner. Their materials were easy-to-understand, and both readily answered the many questions asked by the participants.
The multiple 15-minute presentations by guest speakers were disappointing, though, because the speakers tended to cram as much information as possible into the limited time frame. It appeared that Penn State wanted to give speaking opportunities to as many as of their professors as possible, but I would have preferred 30-minute sessions from half the number.
The accommodations and meals for the trip worked out very well. The food at the Nittany Lion Inn was excellent, especially the lunch and dinner buffets. My only disappointment with accommodations was the trolley that transported us back and forth from the hotel to the Penn State locations as well as to off-site locations: the wooden slat seats were very uncomfortable, even for the short rides, and the driver always had the air conditioner on, which blew in strong gusts, even though the outside temperatures were quite unseasonally cool.
Based on my participation in this trip, I plan to sign up for the sister week on astronomy for 2020.
— Review left June 21, 2019
You will definitely learn something new on this trip. This trip contained more educational content than any other Road Scholar trip we have taken so far. All material was presented in a fun, easy to understand manner. When we played Astronomy Jeopardy on the last night,I was surprised how much I learned during the week.
— Review left June 21, 2019
Superior teaching that vastly enhanced my understanding of astronomy. I recommend this program without reservation. It is truly a wonderful week at Penn State.
— Review left June 21, 2019
The program content is mostly interesting. However, be prepared for many hours in the class room with some of the lectures rather boring.
— Review left June 14, 2019
