The window to apply to the PSSI program for 2025 is now closed. Applications for PSSI 2026 will open by November 1st.
Penn Summer Science Initiative 2025
Program Details: The FREE Penn Summer Science Initiative, PSSI, is sponsored by the Penn Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, MRSEC, which is funded by the National Science Foundation. It will accept 14 students entering their junior or senior year of high school from the greater Philadelphia region for a four-week intensive materials science course from July 7 – July 31, 2025 (Monday to Thursday). The course will run from approximately 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM daily. The course may include formal lectures from Penn faculty and affiliated researchers, materials science workshops, lab report writing seminars (very useful for college!), projects, hands-on activities, and field trips. Students will get exposure to a variety of materials characterization techniques, such as scanning electron and optical microscopies, thermal analysis techniques, mechanical testing, and x-ray diffraction. Students will be expected to work on reports, projects, and other assignments outside of program hours.
Eligibility: Students will be selected for this program based on their scholastic achievements, resume, interest in science, and recommendations. Students must have taken chemistry and/or physics courses. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students must be within daily commuting distance of Penn’s campus to attend the program in person each day (note: there is no option for housing and we do not provide travel support).
How to Apply: Any student wishing to apply to this program should fill out the on-line application form. Submission will require a resume, report card (PDF), and 2 recommendation forms uploaded. The deadline to apply is March 1st, 2025.
NOTE: Applicants must arrange for two adults to submit recommendation forms. One must be from a current or former science teacher. The second recommendation may also be a teacher (of any subject) but can also be a coach, club advisor, school administrator, or other adult who knows about your work ethic and achievements. You may not ask a family member or friend to write a recommendation for you.
more information:
Mark Licurse, Director of Education
Tel. (215) 898-2898
Ashley Wallace, Associate Director of Student Access & Engagement
Tel. (215) 898-3446
Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter
University of Pennsylvania
3231 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6202
Fax (215) 898-8296
E-mail: outreach@lrsm.upenn.edu