PING (Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation) Summer Program
2027 PROGRAM DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED IN SPRING OF 2027
PING (Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation) is an opportunity for pre-college students to work in research environments in order to facilitate and encourage a career path in science. It was launched in 2014 as a joint effort by the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP), the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), and Associated Universities, Inc (AUI). Since then, it has grown into a program hosted by multiple leading universities.
Notre Dame’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, in partnership with Notre Dame’s TRIO office, hosted the inaugural run of our new chapter of PING during Summer 2025. The program will run for two weeks, and have three major components:
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Workshops that will develop research skills used by physicists. These skills include experimental design, coding, and data analysis. No prior experience with these skills is necessary.
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A larger project where groups of 2-3 students will be able to choose from a variety of projects pertaining to modern physics, and dedicate an entire week to answering a research question.
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Discussion sessions on demystifying the process of applying to college and excelling as an undergraduate science major.
In addition, the program will offer tours of cutting-edge facilities at Notre Dame. These include the Nuclear Science Lab (NSL), the laboratories at the Stavropoulos Center for Complex Quantum Matter, and the Jordan Hall Observatory Telescope.
Each PING student will be provided a stipend of $400 upon completion of the two week program. Participants will also receive free daily lunches.
This program is possible thanks to the generous support of the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, the Notre Dame College of Science, the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Institute for Structure and Nuclear Astrophysics.
Important Information
PING is a program that will bring local high school students to Notre Dame’s campus for a two week program which seeks to introduce students to the types of skills that STEM researchers use on a regular basis, as well as share our knowledge and experiences, as scientists, with them. The program will consist of three major components:
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Workshops that will develop research skills used by physicists. These skills include experimental design, coding, and data analysis.
-
A larger project during the second week of the program. Small groups of students will work simultaneously on a variety of projects pertaining to modern physics.
-
Discussion sessions on demystifying the process of applying to college and excelling as an undergraduate science major.
Our goal is to promote career paths in science and motivate students who might otherwise feel this is not a feasible option for them, by showing them that the tools and resources they need for success on this path are accessible to them.
Application Information
Details on PING in summer 2027 will be posted in early spring of 2027. For any questions, please contact Olivia Bruce (obruce@nd.edu).