This summer, the labs, observatory, and lecture halls of the Umbeck Science and Mathematics Center at Knox College are seeing a more than normal amount of use as Knox was chosen to be one of 14 nationwide host sites for SSP International's prestigious Summer Science Program in the field of astrophysics.

From June 29-August 3, 36 high school-seniors-to-be from around the world were on campus using Knox facilities to engage in space exploration and to study near-Earth asteroids using astrophysics, calculus, scientific programming, and coding.

The Summer Science Program, which began in 1959, is a leading science education experience for high school seniors in astrophysics, biochemistry, synthetic chemistry, and more. It is run by SSP International (SSPI), a nonprofit organization providing opportunities to accelerate learning, doing, and belonging in science. Close to 600 students around the country are involved in the Summer Science Program this year.

“SSPI reaches out to partner campuses of interest and,usually, there is a connection with a faculty member. For example here at Knox, we’re grateful to have Dr. Nathalie Haurberg ’07 on Knox physics faculty, and she’s one of the associate directors, so that made the transition to campus easy,” said Jesse Feddersen, academic director of the Summer Science Program at Knox. 

For Haurberg, the program seemed very exciting and provided a chance to showcase the Knox College campus.

“They (SSPI) reached out to me a few years ago. They were expanding the program to new campuses, and they saw that we had an observatory and thought we would be a good campus to look at,” Haurberg said. “I looked into the program and thought it seemed really exciting.”

Fedderson agreed. “Here at Knox, it’s great for us: It’s a small campus; students are a five-minute walk from class; the observatory, everything is close. Also, the staff is so wonderful and welcoming. The dining hall has especially been incredible for us. Everything is so accessible at Knox,” he added.

Entrance in the prestigious program involved students writing multiple essays, submitting grades, receiving a letter of recommendation, and submitting a portfolio. Once accepted into a program, the real work begins for students as they embark on a five-week journey of studies in a college-like experience.

“For many, this is the longest time they’ve ever been away from home. They live in a dorm; they’re learning key stuff, and that’s part of the experience we’re giving to them,” Feddersen said. “Academically, they have something due almost every night. It’s an intense experience, so this is great prep for college in every way. We sort of think of it as college in five weeks.”

It is the course load and work that draw many students into the program and serve as a basis for what path they may follow in college.

“I wanted to experience the rigor that we’re experiencing here,” said Rhea Singh of Washington. “At my high school, we do not have astronomy or classes related to astrophysics, and I wanted to experience this level of rigor.”

In the astrophysics program, students study near-Earth asteroids using powerful telescopes and chart their orbit for the next hundreds of years using astrophysics, calculus, and scientific programming.

“I’ve always been super into research, and I’ve always loved labs in science class,” said Luyao Lei of Rhode Island. “When I learned about the program and the research project, I knew I had to apply. I was super lucky to get in. So far, it’s been the most amazing three weeks of my life.”

The astrophysics program allows participants to develop research and critical observation skills with real-world applications, learn how to use powerful astronomy technology like telescopes, and meet renowned astrophysicists and planetary scientists.

“I wanted to learn about astronomy and space, although I’m engineering-centric,” Frank Lucci of San Antonio, Texas, said. “I’d like to go into construction on moons and planets, so I wanted to get experience on how space orbits work.

“I came here knowing nothing about astronomy, but now I know so much because of the lectures.”

Students work on their studies and projects during the week, but on the weekends and during breaks, they are getting out and about, exploring campus and the region.

“The main interface students have with Galesburg is through campus, and they are starting to explore campus more,” Feddersen said. “We did a scavenger hunt, found Lincoln’s chair and some other Easter eggs around campus. We’re also doing weekly field trips to get out a little further. We went to Fermilab to look at the particle accelerator there, and then we took a hiking trip through Mississippi Palisades State Park. This week, we’re going to go to Peoria for a baseball game.”

The trips have been fun, but it is the work that has captured the minds of the students, as they embrace their passion and make discoveries about the universe around them.

“It’s been amazing, my expectations were high, but the experience here has exceeded my expectations, both from the community and academic work,” Delfin Üründül of Istanbul, Turkey, said. “The work we’ve been doing has been very fulfilling … I didn’t think there’d be so many people from around the world. … We all enjoy doing research. It’s something high schoolers don’t get to do often.”

Bringing together students from diverse backgrounds is another goal of the program, as students literally from all over the world have come to Galesburg this summer.

While the students are making plenty of discoveries about the universe, they also are making discoveries about themselves as they navigate their way through summer in a new place, surrounded by new people. Between studies, field trips, food, new experiences, new people, and a new environment, the students have had a memorable summer, one they have started to reflect upon, even though they are in Galesburg until the first weekend in August.

“I have so much to tell, I’m not sure if I have words to describe how awesome this is for me,” Üründül said. “I’m pretty sure this is going to be the best five weeks of my life so far. Every TA or faculty member I’ve encountered has never rolled an eye at a question; they’re always helpful and supportive. I’ve made lifelong friends whom I’ll keep in contact with as well. I can’t wait to show photos of them to my family and friends.”

With so many positives from the participants, Knox College, the SSPI faculty and staff, and community, Hauberg hopes the program and Knox can continue a strong relationship into the future.

“From my perspective as a Knox faculty member, I certainly think it would be a good thing to pursue and I do think there would be interest in doing so. The program has gone really well” she said.