What is the Sustainable Physics REU?
The focus of this REU program is on research across physics and how sustainability can be part of research (even if the research topic isn’t directly related to sustainability). REU students will do research in their preferred research discipline within physics or with the Center for Nanoscale Science. As part of the program students will have professional development training (see below) in science communication, attend research seminars and learn about how physics research interacts with sustainability issues (carbon-footprint, chemical waste, power usage, education- outreach, or the social/environmental side of large-scale observatories).
- Apply for 2025
- Research topics!
- Dates:
- Dates for the summer of 2025 is from May 27 to Aug 1, inclusive. It is expected that students will work full time and not be taking classes throughout this time (without permission of REU program). If these dates conflict with your school’s academic schedule please let us know on your application form. It may be possible to arrange alternative dates.
- Stipends:
- Students will receive a stipend of $7,000 for the summer for the NSF funded Physics and MRSEC REU Programs. Housing on campus will be paid for for NSF funded students.
- Students funded directly by Penn State’s Physics Department will receive a scholarship determined by the department. Currently this stipend is $6000. Housing is not included for Penn State Physics Scholarship recipients.
- Travel:
- Some travel expenses are available for visiting students and change-of-campus students. The University Park campus is located in central Pennsylvania, in the town of State College. State College is about a three hour drive or bus ride from Pittsburgh, about four hours from Philadelphia, Washington DC or Baltimore and five hours from New York. Flights into State College (SCE) are available through Chicago, and Philadelphia.
- Eligibility:
- The NSF requires that REU participants must be either US citizens or permanent residents (Penn State Physics Students can be of any nationality).
- During the summer students must be enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor’s degree or transferring between schools (from a 2 to a 4 year college or a 3-2 program).
- You must be 18 to live in on-campus housing as well.
- Historical Underrepresentation in Physics
- An important goal of the REU program is to provide an opportunity to do research to students who are historically underrepresented within scientific research, and students who have limited access and exposure to research at their current institution. This historical underrepresentation includes women, members of underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities whose talents will be an important contribution to the nation’s scientific resources for the future. Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. For questions, please contact the staff in advance of your participation or visit.
- Housing Arrangements:
- The REU reserves free on-campus university apartments. Students will be responsible for making their own arrangements for meals. There is no meal-plan but all apartments have kitchens. A number of restaurants are available both on campus and off campus. Convenience and grocery stores are also within easy reach. Participants are responsible for all problems and damages that may occur during your stay.
- Parking is an option as well and will be an extra charge.
- Professional Development:
- The first half day on campus will be spent on an orientation and tour of facilities. This will include recreation and cultural facilities, and other resource centers. You will meet other REU students, and work together to setup a welcoming, collegial work-environment, and learn about affinity group resources. You will complete lab safety training online and meet your faculty advisor and research mentors.
- Weekly meetings
- communication skills in a research setting (communicating with the public, to your peers, or to other scientists), and
- creating your science-identity for the world (Linked in, etc).
- research talks where faculty will describe their current research, how sustainability impacts their research and other exciting current developments in their field.
- Sharing about your research, visiting other labs, and talking to faculty
- networking and teambuilding activities organized to encourage everyone to get to know each other, and your research team mentors.
- Outreach:
- Part of the REU is to allow you, the students to have a broader impact on the community.
One outreach opportunity is for REU students to share your undergraduate experiences with Upward Bound High school Students.- Our primary outreach activity will be to design a science-demo booth themed on Physics and/or Sustainability for the Arts Fest Kids Day in July.
- A third optional activity is to volunteer for AstroFest, which happens on Penn State campus late at night in July.
- Symposium:
- Finally, at the end of the summer we will have a joint research symposium where you will give a short presentation on your project and a poster about your research to an audience of the other students who were engaged in summer research, your graduate mentors and your faculty advisors.
