Download Image: Web
Joining the ranks of Pennsylvania research institutions including Carnegie Melon and Lehigh University, Lycoming College today announced it is the recipient of a five-year NASA Space Grant award that will enable the institution to host 15 astronomy research interns over its duration. The College is committing to this on-campus, NASA-funded research by matching the award for a total investment of $70,000 in astronomy student research opportunities.
Initiated in 1989 by NASA, the National Space Grant program is a network of colleges and universities that work to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research, and public outreach.
“Thanks to the NASA Space Grant, we are able to engage students in research very early in their careers, which will be transformative to their college experience.”
The grant will help fund the Lycoming College FUSION program, which is dedicated to involving first-year astronomy and physics students in faculty-led research — a rare find on college campuses. Every summer the FUSION program selects two first-year student researchers who show an aptitude for, and high interest in astronomy research, as well as a third student researcher, who is typically an upper-class student, to assist faculty in guiding and managing research projects while also conducting their own faculty-led research. FUSION research students have the option to live in Lycoming residence halls during the six-week paid internship and enjoy spending time in Williamsport outside of the academic year when classes are not in session.
“Thanks to the NASA Space Grant, we are able to engage students in research very early in their careers, which will be transformative to their college experience,” said Melissa Morris, assistant professor of astronomy and physics at Lycoming College. “Not only will they gain first-hand experience of what the actual scientific research process looks like, they will also gain knowledge and skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their careers, both at and beyond Lycoming College.”
“The national research internship landscape is so competitive for undergraduates that giving them experiences early on can only enhance their chances of securing a prestigious REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) later,” said Emily Wilson, assistant professor of astrophysics at Lycoming College. “We hope this funding for our FUSION program allows students to learn about the research process and scientific method in a very hands-on way early in their careers. The internship will also help students build different skillsets and knowledge bases that will help them in future courses.”
The Astrophysics program at Lycoming College enables students to learn about the mysteries of the cosmos with small class sizes, individualized attention, and access to scientific equipment as early as their first year on campus. Graduates of the program often pursue careers in aerospace, research observatories, and museums, or become analysts, atmospheric physicists, or computer system analysts. More information is available at https://www.lycoming.edu/astrophysics/.