Accommodations

CEKA participants stay in air-conditioned townhouse apartments on campus with other CEKA program participants. In addition to housing, the CEKA program also provides a food plan for participants (daily meals in University dining halls).

Orientation

The first few days of the program will be devoted to a general orientation which includes 1) a tour of campus, with information about recreational and cultural facilities; and 2) a presentation by the Director and Program Assistant on the goals of the program and its organization. Students will have an opportunity to meet CEKA graduate students and professors at an orientation luncheon.

Research

We are looking for undergraduates with interests in science and engineering to work in the laboratories of internationally renowned researchers (click here for a list of CEKA faculty) in one of seven departments (Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Crop and Soil Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geosciences, Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering).

We have identified significant questions related to environmental kinetics that could be uniquely addressed using our expertise to guide students in pioneering work. The summer undergrad program offers the opportunity for independent research under the guidance of CEKA faculty. Undergrad participants experience the type of relationship that exists between grad students and their advisors. Students are expected to work 40 hours per week on their research. Both faculty advisors and grad students are available to the students to provide insight and guidance.

Please click here to view abstracts prepared by past CEKA students and to learn more about the type of research in which CEKA students participate.

Seminars

Informal seminars are planned and these may focus on both research and personal development topics (e.g., how do you choose a graduate school; what is it like to be a grad student?). There will be an informational seminar on how to present research and prepare posters. Students can also join faculty and students at the monthly CEKA research seminars.

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Field Trips/Fun Trips

The summer program includes field trips and social activities. Some of the activities enjoyed by our past participants follow:

An expedition to both a commercial and a natural cave led by a grad student who spoke about formations, local karst and sinking streams

A trip to a local farm to learn about woodland preservation, followed by a picnic and some berry picking

A tour of the Penn State agricultural plots to examine soil layering, sink holes and weeds

A hike up Mt. Nittany for a view of State College

Movie night, Arts Festival, and go-karting

Mini-Research Symposium

During the last week of the program, students are expected to give a brief oral presentation at the closing symposium and prepare a poster describing their research. Students also submit a one-page abstract for inclusion in a symposium booklet.