Participant Handbook

for the 67th annual

Summer Science Program

in Astrophysics, Bacterial Genomics, Biochemistry,

Cell Biology, or Synthetic Chemistry

SummerScience.org

copyright © 2025, SSP International, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit

 Contents

Welcome!.................................................................................................................................. 1
Program Dates .......................................................................................................................... 2
Traveling to Campus .................................................................................................................. 4
Formal Program Description ...................................................................................................... 6
Program Description Part 2 – For Participants............................................................................ 9
Honor Code ............................................................................................................................. 10
What to Bring ......................................................................................................................... 12
You are Required to Bring: ............................................................................................................... 14
Optional Items ................................................................................................................................. 14
What Not to Bring ............................................................................................................................ 15
Other Things to Know .............................................................................................................. 15
Late Arrival / Early Departure / Absences ......................................................................................... 15
Visitors ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Health and Wellness ........................................................................................................................ 15
Sleep ............................................................................................................................................... 16
Free Time ........................................................................................................................................ 16
Computers and the Internet ............................................................................................................. 17
Living with a Roommate ................................................................................................................... 17
About Evaluation ............................................................................................................................. 17
Advance Academic Preparation .............................................................................................. 18
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Astrophysics.pdf ........................................................................ 18
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Bacterial Genomics.pdf .............................................................. 18
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Biochemistry.pdf........................................................................ 18
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Synthetic Chemistry.pdf ............................................................. 18
Cell Biology – coming soon ............................................................................................................... 18
Program Description Part 3 – Full Disclosure ........................................................................... 19
Non-US Citizens Arriving from Outside the USA ........................................................................ 21
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 1

Welcome!
You were admitted to SSPI’s Summer Science Program because we believe that your motivation,
passion for math and science, and academic preparation indicate that you’re ready to immerse
yourself into an authentic and intensive research experience this summer. The Summer Science
Program is a demanding and rewarding program that will challenge you in ways you may not have
yet experienced. Follow the advice in this Handbook and you’ll set yourself on the path to have a
wonderful experience this summer. To help your parents and/or guardians understand what your
summer will look like, we encourage them to read this handbook as well. If you or they have any
questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
By August, your Summer Science Program community will expand to encompass thousands of
alumni around the world of all ages, many of whom went on to do interesting and impactful things.
We hope and expect that your summer will be the educational experience of a lifetime, that you
will help support SSPI’s efforts to provide similar experiences to future participants, and that you
will remain an integral part of the SSPI community for the rest of your days.
The faculty are looking forward to meeting you. It will be a great summer!

Best regards,
Amy Belote, Vice President of Program Operations
Mike Manzella, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 2

Program Dates
These dates are inclusive of travel, meaning you will travel to and depart from the program on
these dates. Please read below before booking your travel.

Astrophysics Programs
Georgia College and State University – airport Atlanta (ATL)
Arrive Sunday, June 8 – Depart Sunday, July 13
New Mexico State University – airport El Paso (ELP)
Arrive Sunday, June 15 – Depart Sunday, July 20
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill – airport Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
Arrive Sunday, June 15 – Depart Sunday, July 20
University of Colorado Boulder – airport Denver (DIA)
Arrive Sunday, June 22 – Depart Sunday, July 27
Colby College – airport Portland International Jetport (PWM)
Arrive Sunday, June 22 – Depart Sunday, July 27
Knox College – airport Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
Arrive Sunday, June 29 – Depart Sunday, August 3

Biochemistry Programs
Chadron State College – airport Rapid City (RAP)
Arrive Sunday, June 15 – Depart Sunday, July 20
Indiana Univ. Bloomington – airport Indianapolis (IND)
Arrive Sunday, June 22 – Depart Sunday, July 27
Purdue Univ. – airport Indianapolis (IND)
(Early session) Arrive Sunday, June 8 – Depart Sunday, July 13
(Late session) Arrive Sunday, June 29 – Depart Sunday, August 3

Bacterial Genomics Programs

Albion College – airport Detroit (DTW)
Arrive Sunday, June 8 – Depart Sunday, July 13
Pacific University – airport Portland (PDX)
Arrive Sunday, June 15 – Depart Sunday, July 20
Lehigh University – airport Philadelphia (PHL)
Arrive Sunday, June 22 – Depart Sunday, July 27
Purdue University – airport Indianapolis (IND)
Arrive Sunday, June 29 – Depart Sunday, August 3
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 3

University of Guelph – airport Toronto, Canada (YYZ)

Arrive Sunday, July 6 – Depart Sunday, Aug 10

Synthetic Chemistry Program

Southwestern Oklahoma State University – airport Will Rogers (OKC)
Arrive Sunday, June 8 – Depart Sunday, July 13

Cell Biology Program

New Mexico State University – airport El Paso (ELP)
Arrive Sunday, June 15 – Depart Sunday, July 20
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 4
Traveling to Campus
If you’re not a US citizen and will enter the US to attend the Summer Science Program, jump to
the end and read Non- US Citizens Arriving from Outside the USA.
If, for any reason, you will be unable to arrive and depart on the specified days and times, contact
us at admissions@ssp.org immediately. Our ability to accommodate early or late arrivals or depar-
tures is extremely limited.
Participants may not have a vehicle at the program. If someone drives you to campus, plan to ar-
rive at the time stated in your welcome letter from your Site Director, typically between 3 pm and
4 pm. The welcome letter will be sent to all participants and parents about a week before arrival
with specific instructions for packing and arrival day, including parking instructions for the campus
if your parent will drive you. At ~4:00 PM, the Academic Director and Site Director will host an op-
tional Q&A session for parents (we will also host Q+A webinars online before arrival day). All non-
participants should say their goodbyes and depart campus by (at the latest) 5 pm.
Some participants arrive at the designated campus-specific airport accompanied by a parent or
guardian, but most fly alone and meet their Summer Science Program cohort (participants and se-
lect faculty) at the airport to travel together by coach bus to the campus. If you fly alone, we will
provide online support during travel days in case any questions or travel concerns arise. If your
parent/guardian flies with you, we can provide you only, not your parent/guardian, with ground
transportation. We also cannot provide financial aid for parent travel nor assist with lodging/ground
transportation

We will transport you from the airport to campus if you book flights within these guide-
lines:

From home to SSP: scheduled to land before 2 PM on arrival Sunday.

If you cannot find a flight that lands by 2 PM, or coordinate ground transit to arrive by 4 PM,
you must get your travel plans approved by SSPI staff prior to booking.
Return home: scheduled to take off after 12:30 PM (1:30 PM for international flights) on departure
Sunday
On Arrival Day you are welcome to arrive at the airport several hours early, and there may be
other participants arriving early as well. However, we cannot take responsibility for your welfare
until the staff arrive at the airport, at about noon. If your only option is a flight arriving late at night,
please contact us before you book a flight.
Flights arriving after 2 PM on arrival day or departing before 12:30 PM on departure day – even by
just a few minutes might be more convenient or less expensive but may make you miss the shuttle
to or from campus!
If your arrival flight is delayed by more than 30 minutes, or your travel is disrupted in some other
way, reach out on the travel channel on Discord at your first opportunity. Don’t worry! We will en-
sure you get to campus safely and in a timely manner.
At 5 PM on Arrival Day, move-in ends, parents depart, and the Summer Science Program officially
begins. Anyone arriving late will miss the important orientation meeting after dinner.

On departure day, we will provide a bus to the airport in time for flights booked according to our
instructions above. Parents who are picking up by car should plan to arrive between 8-11am –
specific times will be confirmed in the Site Director email that you will receive in the week before
the program starts.
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 5
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 6
Formal Program Description
SSP International’s Summer Science Program is one of the longest-running pre-college, research-
based enrichment programs for high-potential high school students. Applicants choose to do re-
search in Astrophysics, Bacterial Genomics, Biochemistry, or Synthetic Chemistry. Enroll-
ment at each program is limited to 36 (24 in Cell Biology and Synthetic Chemistry) rising high
school seniors from around the US and the world. This year, we are running a trial program in Cell
Biology, to be offered in future years, too.
The original programs in Astrophysics were held from 1959 through 1999 at the Thacher School in
Ojai, California. In 2000, alumni of the Summer Science Program organized to form an independ-
ent 501(c)3 nonprofit to take over the operation, moving it to a different campus.
The Summer Science Program has cooperative agreements with its host campuses, plus aca-
demic partners Harvey Mudd College, Caltech, and MIT. Its governing body is a volunteer Board
of Trustees.
SSPI’s Summer Science Program has experienced rapid growth over the past two decades, going
from adding a second Astrophysics program in 2003 to adding a second project in Biochemistry in
2016, to operating 17 programs at 14 campuses in 2025 with more expansion planned for future
summers.

Design and Goals

The Program’s goal is to accelerate the development and raise the aspirations of its participants.
Applicants are evaluated through a rigorous and holistic process similar to those used by highly
selective colleges. The Program is highly selective, admitting applicants who excel in the most
challenging math & science courses available to them and who show evidence of maturity, motiva-
tion, and resilience in overcoming challenges.
Participants complete a research project from start to finish, working in teams of three. Regardless
of the project, each program stresses collaboration and authentic research.
Participants often find this collaborative research to be a refreshing and motivating contrast to the
competitive academic atmosphere of high school. Many are surprised to discover that working
closely with equally bright and interesting peers is as rewarding socially as it is intellectually. In-
deed, cultivating a supportive community of scholars is another primary goal of The Summer Sci-
ence Program. The spirit of cooperation and collaboration is reinforced by an Honor Code and an
absence of exams, grades, or formal credit.
Inspired by this intense immersion in a scientific community, most alumni choose STEM majors at
leading colleges and universities. Even those that choose another path gain insight into real re-
search and ideally become empowered as they realize they could do this work – even if they
choose not to. Many participants have gone on to become leaders in their chosen professions and
cite the Program as “the educational experience of a lifetime.”

Faculty
We choose faculty who will constructively challenge and engage with bright, motivated teenagers
every day. Faculty choose to spend their summer at the Summer Science Program because they
want to do exactly that.
Each program employs eight full-time faculty. Mentoring and collaboration happens continuously
throughout the program in all types of activities and interactions. The Academic Director and two
Associate Academic Directors are experienced, PhD-level scientists and educators. They lead
the classroom time, make assignments, and monitor research progress. The Site Director is re-
sponsible for all non-academic aspects of the program and serves as a liaison between the
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 7
program and parents.
In addition to the Directors each program is staffed with four Teaching Assistants and Residen-
tial Mentors, who integrate academic and residential/social roles. TARMs are often graduate stu-
dents or upper-class college students majoring in a related field; many are alumni returning to the
Summer Science Program. They assist participants in their research and organize social events.
They are role models and front-line supervisors. They live in the dorm with participants.

Beyond the Research

During most weeks, a guest scientist or professional will make a presentation not directly related
to the research, followed by questions and open-ended discussions. Rounding out the schedule
are field trips off campus and organized social events including games and a talent show.

Daily Routine
Participants stay remarkably busy, spending 8+ hours each day learning new material, data collec-
tion, analysis, assignments, and social activities; a mix of scheduled and spontaneous, involving
the whole group or various subsets.

Topics Covered
The Summer Science Program is not a class; most of the material taught, and reinforced with reg-
ular assignments, is integral to the research. Your faculty has been instructed to “teach to the pro-
ject”, meaning you will learn what you need to complete the research project – it is up to you to
push past that and gain a comprehensive understanding of the field. Topics overlap parts of sev-
eral standard courses and are presented at a brisk college sophomore/junior pace and level.
Teams take original data, analyze it, and report on their results. Participants are encouraged to
collaborate on assignments if what they submit reflects their understanding.
Topics covered typically include:

Astrophysics Project
Astronomy: celestial coordinates, digital observational techniques, astrometry; brief introduction
to planetary science
Physics: gravitation, celestial mechanics; brief introductions to the electromagnetic spectrum, rel-
ativity, quantum mechanics
Mathematics: interpolation, coordinate transformations, differential and integral vector calculus,
numerical methods, differential equations
Programming in Python
General: Academic writing and presentations

Bacterial Genomics Project

Genetics and molecular biology: directed evolution; DNA manipulation, purification, and charac-
terization.
Microbiology: bacterial life cycle and growth dynamics
Instrumentation: molecular and microbiology, chemostats, and the Galaxy bioinformatics plat-
form
Bioinformatics: genome assembly, annotation, mutational analysis, and quality control
General: Academic writing and presentations
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 8
Biochemistry Project
Biochemistry: protein purification, gel electrophoresis, enzyme assays, kinetics, and inhibition,
drug screening
Molecular Modeling: homology modeling, ligand docking, molecular dynamics simulations, inhibi-
tor optimization.
Mathematics: rate equations, linear and non-linear curve fitting, biostatistics
Bioinformatics: Sequence similarity searching, multiple sequence alignment, secondary struc-
ture, and binding motif prediction
General: Academic writing and presentations

Cell Biology Project

Genetics and molecular biology: CRISPR gene editing, DNA manipulation, purification, and
characterization
Microbiology: eukaryotic (yeast) life cycle and growth dynamics
Instrumentation: molecular biology and CRISPR-relevant online tools
Bioinformatics: CRISPR guide RNA design and online DNA databases (NCBI, etc...)
General: Academic writing and presentations

Synthetic Chemistry Project

Organic chemistry: multistep organic synthesis; purification by chromatography, vacuum distilla-
tion, and recrystallization; oxidation, reduction, carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, amine
chemistry; laboratory safety techniques.
Inorganic and coordination chemistry: transition metal complexing; inert atmosphere tech-
niques including schlenk line and glovebox techniques.
Characterization of organic and inorganic compounds: mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic
resonance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, magnetic moment determination, conductance ex-
periments, crystal growth and selection for X-ray crystallography, UV visible spectroscopy, and IR
spectroscopy
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 9
Program Description Part 2 – For Participants
What will SSPI’s Summer Science Program be like, from your perspective? Why is it designed the
way it is, and why has this design lasted for over six decades?
The Summer Science Program is an opportunity to work in an academically rigorous and socially
supportive community of scholars. The experience is similar to a research group of professional
scientists. The research you will do was carefully chosen to be in a field you are not likely to en-
counter in high school, or at a university level, but with a goal that can be achieved in a 5-week
timeframe.
At The Summer Science Program you will learn a lot of science, yes, but also what it feels like to
do science, where there is not a “right answer” known in advance, there is instead the result of a
carefully run experiment. Our goal is that everyone, no matter how brilliant and/or well-prepared,
will feel challenged at least some of the time. The pace is much faster than in high school.
Unlike a school, we intentionally throw more material at you than anyone can possibly absorb.
Why? We want you to experience (temporarily) how it feels to be lost and confused, to not under-
stand something right away, even if others seem to.
That may feel very discouraging, especially if this has never happened to you before. When it
does, you will learn to ask for help from your peers and from the faculty, without embarrassment,
even if you have never had to ask for academic help from anyone before. The goal is to allow you
to practice overcoming frustration and confusion. You will learn that asking questions and reaching
out for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength and maturity.
You will also learn that nobody else understands all the material. We want you to collaborate with
your colleagues on everything while completing work that reflects your own understanding. You
will learn how rewarding it can be to work in a collaborative team with others just as bright as you
are.
Alumni often say that college is easier than The Summer Science Program. That is because these
skills – absorbing new material quickly, knowing when to ask for help, knowing how to tackle con-
fusing problems that seem insurmountable, and identifying and utilizing faculty mentors – will be
unbelievably valuable in college, no matter where you go or what you study.
Besides challenging, The Summer Science Program is designed to be immersive. You will not
have time for other activities with your school, friends, or family.
To overcome these challenges, do your best to arrive healthy and well rested and keep up your
energy and ability to learn efficiently by maintaining smart lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise
and sleep as best you can in a new environment.
Plan to break out of your usual routine over the summer and make the most of this socially rich
environment. Spend your time interacting with these smart, interesting colleagues and faculty from
around the world, talking about science or college, or life. After Closing Exercises, you will join an
exceptional worldwide alumni network that spans over sixty years.
We know that you find this program as life changing as those that came before you. At Closing Ex-
ercises, we will guide you as you transition from being a participant to an accomplished alumnus
of the Summer Science Program!
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 10
Honor Code
The Summer Science Program Honor Code expresses the shared values that promote the smooth
functioning of the whole community. It is the keystone of our culture.
You will be a trusted and valuable member of a diverse community, in which we embrace our dif-
ferences, care about each other, and resolve conflicts through respectful communication.
Our Honor Code is simple and concise:
No member of the Summer Science Program community will denigrate or
take unfair advantage of any other member of the Summer Science Pro-
gram community.
What does it mean to take “unfair advantage” of a member of the community? What are some ex-
amples of things that run counter to the Honor Code?
• A participant is having trouble finishing an assignment and decides to copy their team-
mate’s work. This is taking unfair advantage of the teammate by taking credit for their ef-
fort.
• Two participants are practicing a musical duet in the atrium of the dormitory at 2 AM.
These participants are taking unfair advantage of their colleagues by disrupting their sleep,
and of the TA who must wake up and ask them to return to their rooms.
• A participant drops their cafeteria tray on the floor at lunch. Another participant posts a
video of the incident on social media and sends the link to everyone in the program. The
participant who posted the video is denigrating the student who dropped their tray by
spreading embarrassing content about them on the internet.
• Participants have a sports event on the playing fields but leave behind empty water bottles,
candy wrappers, and paper cups. The participants are taking unfair advantage of the uni-
versity staff or program staff who must clean up the trash.
The Honor Code may be new to some participants. Other participants may already live under an
honor code at school. During the beginning of the Summer Science Program, we will discuss what
the Honor Code means and how it will affect your life during the program.
As one participant wrote:
The honor code was new and interesting for me. I really appreciated the level of trust it put
in me to be responsible for myself and my actions. It changed the way I thought of myself
in an academic setting: more responsible for my own successes and failures.

Digital Citizenship
We will use a variety of online resources, platforms, and software that require you to post, share,
and publish work online in both protected and open environments. The following serves as a re-
source to help you maintain safety and privacy while interacting online.
a) Your Summer Science Program community consists of your peer participants, faculty
members, and SSPI staff. You must protect the privacy, security, and intellectual property
rights of others by not sharing anything from or about your work at The Summer Science
Program with anyone outside of this community. This includes participant or faculty contact
information, SSPI-produced educational materials, or the work of other participants.
b) Manage your own passwords. Create a unique password for every site and never share
that password. You are responsible for remembering your passwords.
c) After your time at the Summer Science Program concludes, you are responsible for main-
taining or deleting, at your option, any online accounts, or profiles you created for or during
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 11
the summer.
d) Exhibit appropriate behavior online. Every comment, discussion, and impression you post
online reflects yourself and should be treated as permanent and public. Be smart about
how you want to be perceived by others now and in the future. Post and share only appro-
priate and respectful content. Do not engage with or respond to inappropriate or disre-
spectful posts or images.
e) You have the right to feel safe when using online tools and resources. If you feel uncom-
fortable, or experience or witness instances of bullying, harassment, inappropriate lan-
guage, or content, contact a TA or the Site Director immediately.
f) Respect the intellectual property of others, including your peers. Never use another’s work
or software without permission and always credit the original producer of the work. This in-
cludes computer code, text from books or websites, AI resources (such as ChatGPT,
whose use we strongly discourage), images, videos, and any other resources. If you are
unsure of whether you might be using copyrighted materials, or how to make an attribution,
ask the faculty. “I didn’t know” is not an excuse for plagiarism or copyright infringement.
Your faculty can explain the difference between collaboration and plagiarism.

Use of Program Material

As part of your enrollment, you will agree not to publish the outcome of your work at Summer Sci-
ence Program. The purpose of the Summer Science Program is to allow you to grow your skills as
a researcher, not to publish individual work, so think about your goals and whether they are
aligned with our purpose.

Generally, you will be allowed to use your Summer Science Program manuscript, poster, or final
project "behind closed doors." For college applications, for demonstrations of your work, etc. - all
of those are fair game because they will not be presented to the world and/or published in a pub-
licly accessible place online. But Summer Science Program materials and data may not to be
submitted for official publications, conference proceedings, or similar types of public-facing docu-
mentation. Similarly, publishing your work on social media (including LinkedIn) is not allowed be-
cause these can be found by new participants which could then ruin their Summer Science Pro-
gram experience and invalidate official publication of the work.

However, you are welcome and encouraged to post a professional "abstract" to show off your pro-
ject, your writing style, and your (brief) outcomes, provided you properly credit everyone (SSPI,
your teammates, and your Academic Directors).

What Not to Do
Many prohibited behaviors at The Summer Science Program are contrary to the Honor Code. Oth-
ers derive from the fact that, unlike a college, Summer Science Program faculty are your tempo-
rary guardians, legally responsible for your safety and well-being. We take this responsibility seri-
ously; we cannot shirk it. This list is not exhaustive; the Site Director may add to it during the Pro-
gram.
The following behaviors are prohibited:
a) Any behavior that disrupts the smooth operation of the community by requiring repeated
intervention or correction or extra supervision by the faculty.
b) Words or actions, including texts or social media posts, that in the judgment of the faculty
are hostile, disrespectful, demeaning, insulting, harassing, abusive, sexist, racist, or threat-
ening.
c) Untruthfulness in any form: lying, cheating, withholding, distorting, or concealing the truth.
Intellectual dishonesty: plagiarism or falsification of data. While collaboration is encouraged
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 12
and necessary, all work you submit must reflect your personal understanding.
d) Leaving the designated perimeter on campus without advance permission.
e) Being outside of your dorm room during designated “downtime” without advance permis-
sion, except for the necessary use of the bathroom.
a) Sleeping in another person’s room or outside your room. Removing bedding from your
room.
f) Theft of, unauthorized use of, or damage to property, including that of other participants or
the host campus. Violating a rule imposed by the host campus. Entering a restricted area.
b) Behavior that harms or endangers yourself or others, including dangerous or offensive
pranks, any use of fire (outside of required laboratory equipment such as Bunsen burners)
or fireworks, violence, or threats of violence.
g) Using or possessing a gun, knife, tobacco, e-cigarettes, fireworks, alcohol, or “recreational”
drugs including marijuana in any form.
h) Taking or possessing prescription drugs other than under the instructions of a doctor; shar-
ing any medication (including over the counter) with another participant.
i) Chronic lack of attention to personal hygiene; clothing that is excessively disheveled, dirty,
or revealing, in the judgment of the Site Director.
j) Intimate or sexual interaction, whether consensual or not. Taking or sharing a compromis-
ing photo or video of oneself or another. Entering a room, hallway, or bathroom that is re-
stricted to another gender. Public displays of affection.
k) Withholding information about any health issue, including a mental health issue. We need
to know about any illnesses, injuries, depression, etc. We promise to treat this information
with appropriate sensitivity and confidentiality.
If the nature of the violation allows it, we would prefer to allow you to correct your behavior and
make better decisions. However, if in our judgment the behavior is serious or repetitive, your dis-
missal will be necessary to protect the community from further disruption. This decision will be
made by SSPI senior staff in consultation with the Site Director and other faculty.
If you are dismissed, your parent or guardian will be required to remove you from campus as soon
as practical. You will not receive a certificate of completion nor be considered an alum. No portion
of your program fee will be refunded.
Regrettably, we sometimes find it necessary to send home participants who have made either a
series of poor or bad decisions. We have done so even on the last night of the program.

What to Bring
Bring clothes that are comfortable and present a clean, purposeful image. Avoid clothes that are
too informal (beach wear or gym wear). Plan for both hot and cool weather - it can get hot in
Maine, and it can rain in New Mexico - regardless of your expectations.
We have a dress code for dinner. We will stop working shortly before dinner to allow participants
to go back to the dorm and change clothes. A collared shirt and pants, a dress, or a blouse and
skirt are appropriate dinner attire. The shirt or top should not have a logo, slogan, or other writing;
an embroidered logo or non-commercial artwork is OK. Footwear should be shoes, or sandals with
a heel strap, not flip-flops.
These guidelines are intended to foster a positive, professional and focused learning environment.
The dress code is not intended to control you but to offer guidance on how to dress in a profes-
sional manner and allow you to practice for academic settings and future careers. Different set-
tings require different attire – we seek to elevate the social atmosphere in the direction of profes-
sionalism. At The Summer Science Program, as in the professional world, self-expression in terms
of clothing is possible while positively representing the Summer Science Program's mission and
values.
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 13
Bring a formal outfit for College and Career Day and for the Closing Dinner, such as dress pants, a
shirt, a jacket / sport coat, and tie, a blouse and skirt, or a dress, or other dressy outfit including
dress shoes. We will take a group picture (see the photo below as an example of formal dress).
For lab-based programs (including Bacterial Genomics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Syn-
thetic Chemistry) there are additional safety rules in the lab where you will be working almost
every day. Your legs and feet must be completely covered.
Attire guidelines for any lab-based program (during lab sessions):
• no shorts
• no open-toe shoes or sandals
• no dresses or skirts unless ankle length
• no skin-hugging fabric such as leggings or yoga pants
• use hair ties or something similar to keep your hair away from danger
How many clothes to bring? That depends on how often you do laundry!
Tip: mark your clothing with nametags or indelible ink in case you leave something in the laundry
room by mistake.

formal dress for night before departure

Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 14
You are Required to Bring
Please read this section closely. These items are required.
• official photo ID: driver’s license, valid passport and visa, or green card (for security
screenings on field trips) - Do not carry this in your checked luggage!
• any prescription and over-the-counter medicines you might need, including any you take
following physical activity (such as an inhaler)
• health insurance and/or prescription discount cards if any
• plenty of underwear and socks, in case you do laundry infrequently (you will be busy)
• sleepwear
• 2 or 3 shorts
• 3 or 4 jeans / slacks / skirts / dresses
• at least 4 casual shirts / tops such as T-shirts
• at least 4 collared shirts or blouses suitable for dinner (see above)
• 1 - 2 formal outfits for special occasions (see above)
• hangers for clothes that should be hung up (none are provided)
• 2 or more sweatshirts and/or pullover sweaters
• for cool or rainy weather, a light jacket / raincoat / poncho / umbrella
• comfortable athletic shoes and/or hiking shoes
• swimwear (or clothing to wear at a pool or beach)
• toiletries / cosmetics – including personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste,
soap, and deodorant. You will have a chance to visit a grocery store or Walmart a couple
of times during the program to replenish.
• sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection
• 1 or 2 water bottles (print your name on them)
• flashlight (torch) with batteries (required for astrophysics programs, optional for others)
• USB flash drive for data and other files
• scientific calculator or app (whatever you use for school will be sufficient)
• writing instruments of your choice for notetaking and problem sets, including a mechanical
• pencil and eraser – with extra pencil lead.
• $100 - $200 in cash and/or prepaid credit card for personal expenses, such as soft drinks,
snacks, and souvenirs (this will be provided to participants who receive full aid).
Optional Items
Not required but may be important to you:
• backpack or bookbag.
• Binder or spiral for note taking.
• personal recreational items: tennis racket, Frisbee, table games, board games, playing
cards, etc. – however, do not bring any game with R-rated content, such as Cards Against
Humanity
• sealable (zip-top) plastic bags or containers– any snacks kept in your room must be stored
in an airtight container to avoid attracting insects or rodents!
• Snacks for the first week or two
• laundry bag
• for the bathroom: rubber slippers or flip flops, toiletries bag or shower caddy
Linens: If having your own pillow, blanket, sheets, or towels would make you more comfortable,
and you have room in your luggage, bring them. Mattresses are “XL twin” size. The linens we rent
from the campus are basic/industrial quality; the blankets are thin, and you cannot take the towels
on a field trip.
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 15
Musical instruments: If you can bring your own instrument, please do! (A piano and/or a music
practice room may be available, but we cannot guarantee it.) There will be a talent show where
you can show off your skills.
What Not to Bring
Do not bring a laptop computer or tablet, iPad, etc. If it is electronic and does not fit in your
pants pocket, do not bring it. Nothing larger than a phone, please. You will have access to a
computer daily.
There is no need to pack a 35-day supply of laundry detergent, snacks, or other bulky consuma-
bles that are easily acquired in a local store during the program. You will have an opportunity to go
shopping several times. We will provide basic laundry detergent.

Other Things to Know

Late Arrival / Early Departure / Absences
With very few exceptions, we cannot accommodate participants on campus arriving before or after
the designated Arrival Day and time. If you are coming from outside the U.S., contact staff to see
what options are available to you.
Sometimes a participant requests to depart early or to be absent for a couple of days for an im-
portant event (family wedding, concert, award ceremony, international competition, etc.). Because
the pace at the Summer Science Program is so fast, it is impossible for anyone - even someone
as smart as you – to catch up after missing even just a day or two. Your absence would also put
an undue burden on your teammates. And leaving even one day early would diminish your overall
experience in subtle ways that you cannot anticipate.
SSPI’s Summer Science Program is not a school, not a camp; it is unlike anything most people will
ever experience. It has an arc to it, like the plot of a good novel; to leave then return would be like
reading a novel with a chapter missing; to leave early would be to miss the satisfying climax and
resolution of all the threads. Every single day is packed and integral; the opportunity we offer is all-
or-nothing. It cannot be subdivided and maintain its integrity. If the Summer Science Program
overlaps other plans, you will need to choose.
If you believe that you can justify an exception to these policies, contact staff before enrolling in
the program. We will consider any request made before enrollment is confirmed.
Visitors
Due to the immersive, fast-paced nature of the program, we do not have time to welcome visitors.
Participants are deeply engaged in work most of the time, and when they are taking a break, they
are spending down time together as a community. On arrival day, parents who travel to the pro-
gram will be able to attend a brief question-and-answer period. On departure day, Participants
who are departing by car rather than airplane may not leave campus with anyone except a parent
or guardian unless a parent or guardian has given advance written permission by email to the Site
Director.
Health and Wellness
The safety and well-being of Summer Science Program participants are of paramount importance
to us. As a residential program, the Summer Science Program must prioritize the health and safety
of its minor participants and faculty. Accordingly, we will follow best practices and guidelines from
the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/vaccines) and our host campuses.
Because of the immersive nature and intensity of the experience, the Summer Science Program is
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 16
more stressful than school, both mentally and physically. Before arrival, you and/or your guardi-
ans must disclose any existing health issues or concerns, including depression, self-harm, or eat-
ing disorders. During the program, you must disclose and discuss any new health issues with a
faculty member. It does not need to be a health issue; …any time you feel extreme stress or are
overwhelmed about anything, any faculty member will be willing to listen, then take appropriate ac-
tion. We need to know how you are doing to help you.
SSPI is in loco parentis - legally obligated to act as your temporary legal guardian. As such, it is
sometimes necessary for us to limit your personal freedom and privacy. As noted in the Code of
Conduct, Summer Science Program participants are not permitted to drive vehicles, nor to leave
the designated perimeter on campus, except with a faculty member or with advance permission.
We reserve the right to inspect any room or luggage. The faculty will describe other health- and
safety-related rules after you arrive, including lab safety, perimeter, and traveling in groups. Partic-
ipants are coming together from many different backgrounds; therefore all will need to adjust to the
safety related rules that apply to the community – for some it will seem less restrictive than at
home, and to others, more restrictive. This is part of coming together to live in a community with
one set of rules and guidelines.
Stay healthy – at the Summer Science Program, at college, and throughout life – by getting regu-
lar exercise, enough sleep, and making smart choices about what you put into your body.
In over six decades of SSPI’s Summer Science Program, most health and safety concerns have
revolved around minor illnesses, sunburn, dehydration, sports injuries, etc. The faculty will provide
first aid, and access to a professional healthcare provider when needed. Read your enrollment in-
structions for updates on whether travel insurance is available or recommended.
Sleep
Chronic sleep deprivation is a health problem. It harms your ability to think, learn, and remember -
asleep-deprived participant is a poor team member. Sleep deprivation also weakens your immune
system, possibly putting you out of commission for days. Pulling all-nighters does not work. No-
body, not even you, can be productive at 4 am. Moreover, in laboratory-based research programs,
being sleep-deprived is a safety hazard and you can be asked to leave the lab if you are deemed
unfit to be in the lab. On most nights, you are required to be in your room during “downtime.” But
beyond those few hours, you will need to cultivate enough self-discipline to go to sleep on your
own initiative. You can, if you try, average 8 hours of sleep per night (including some naps!) during
the Summer Science Program, even assuming some late nights. You may find that your sleep
schedule needs to temporarily adjust to keep in sync with the expected hours of the program.
Some of you will find you are required to stay up later than you do at home in order to work with
your group and spend time with your community. Please try to arrive to the program well rested
and ready for a busy schedule.
If you maintain a balanced lifestyle over the summer, you will be happier, healthier, and more pro-
ductive.
Free Time
At the Summer Science Program, as in college, there will always be some work that you could be
doing, something that must be completed soon. You might wonder: when will you ever have any
time for relaxation, socializing, games, fun?
Free time is not something commonly declared by the faculty, for example a gap between assign-
ments, labs, or lectures. You carve free time out of your waking hours by managing your time well.
You can create free time by being as efficient and productive as possible when you are working.
Many participants learn over the summer that being ‘busy’ isn’t the same as being ‘productive’ -
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 17
you can work inefficiently for hours and not get much accomplished.
How to maximize efficiency and productivity? The keys are collaborating with your peers and
keeping yourself mentally and physically healthy (as described above).
Computers and the Internet
Personal laptops are not permitted at SSPI’s Summer Science Program. If you must bring
one for some reason, turn it in to the Site Director upon arrival for safekeeping until Departure
Day. Wi-Fi signal may or may not be available or strong at all locations on campus. Each host
campus has different Wi-Fi policies for conferences and guests, and those change sometimes.
You will have daily access to the internet. You may make personal use of the computers provided,
as permitted by the policies of the host campus. You may not download or install software or run
software that you brought with you, on a flash drive or otherwise.
Living with a Roommate
Sharing a room with another person – initially, a stranger – might be new to you. If so, you will
soon realize that for it to work, both people need to be considerate. What you consider funny, they
may consider offensive. Your lifelong habit might be their pet peeve. We try to pair people who we
think will be compatible, based on the personality/lifestyle questionnaire, but the process is not
foolproof! If you have roommate trouble, tell the Site Director right away. You and your roommate
each have a right to:

✓ courtesy and kindness

✓ a good night’s sleep
✓ ask faculty for assistance in resolving problems.
You and your roommate each have an obligation to:

✓ compromise
✓ clean up your own messes in the room.
✓ ask before using or borrowing the other’s property.
✓ communicate openly and discuss conflicts.
✓ agree to disagree if necessary.

About Evaluation
During the program, you will not be tested nor graded – but you will be assessed and given feed-
back to improve. The faculty will pay attention to your motivation, interest level in the program,
teamwork, quality of work submitted, how you work with and treat others, and your adherence to
the Honor Code. Informal, continuous evaluation is common in organizations of all kinds.
You will be asked to take several surveys regarding your attitudes and opinions. In the last day or
so, you will complete an extensive, anonymous exit survey, including your evaluation of each fac-
ulty member. In these ways, we are again modeling a professional workplace.
Following your successful completion of the Summer Science Program, you will receive a letter of
completion to include with college applications. It will describe the program but will not include any
evaluation of your work.
After the program, you may request a letter of recommendation from one faculty member of your
choice. They have other jobs during the academic year, so please ask them as early as possible.
If the person you ask cannot recommend you with enthusiasm, or on a short deadline, they will
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 18
decline your request rather than write a lukewarm or hurried letter.
Do not worry whether the professor will remember you. Whether they will write a letter, and what
they write, will be based on the entire faculty’s consensus observations throughout the program.

Advance Academic Preparation

It is important that you review the following areas before you arrive on campus.
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Astrophysics.pdf
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Bacterial Genomics.pdf
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Biochemistry.pdf
2025 Pre-program Academic Prep - Synthetic Chemistry.pdf
Cell Biology – coming soon
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 19
Program Description Part 3 – Full Disclosure
We know you all are likely bursting with excitement and worried about the prospect of liv-
ing away from home, diving into an intensive research program, and being around so
many other dedicated and enthusiastic peers.
SSPI's Summer Science Program is designed to be a "pre-college" experience, and this
plays out in several ways.
On the residential/social side. You will be away from your "creature comforts", you'll be
sleeping in a college dorm bed, you'll have a roommate who you might not be best friends
with, and you'll be eating college dorm food for ~21 meals per week. You'll be around new
people, in a new environment, with long days and (likely) less sleep than you're accus-
tomed to. Some of you will arrive sick, get sick, and be tired. The faculty will help you pri-
oritize your mental and physical health, while pushing you to fully engage with the mate-
rial, your peers, and the overall experience. By the end of the summer these experiences
will have influenced your summer in innumerable ways and contributed to you feeling like
you're ready for college.
On the academic side, expect to push and to grow. SSPI purposefully admits students
from different schools, different cultures, and with different levels of preparation. Some
participants come in with research experience, many having taken AP or IB classes, and
even more don't (by design). Our faculty know you're all coming in at different points and
with different skillsets, and SSPI's Summer Science Program maintains a high faculty:par-
ticipant ratio for a reason - they are often able to help each of you grow in different ways.
They'll push you in the lab, in the classroom, and even as members of a working research
group. We know you'll all grow in different ways, we know you'll each fail and stumble in
different ways, so don't be afraid to push - our faculty are there to catch you and help pick
you back up.
So, while this experience is not specifically tailored to your individual tastes, preferences,
or comfort, it will build your capacity to work in different settings. It will take most of you
some time to get used to sleeping in a dorm room, eating cafeteria food, coming and go-
ing on the group’s schedule, but you will get used to it.
• You will be away from your creature comforts – this includes your technology, your
games, your room that is set up just how you like it.
• You will be in a twin bed with mediocre sheets and creaky bedframes.
• You will get less sleep than you’d like – especially for our Astrophysics programs
that necessitate late-night observing shifts.
• You will have a roommate who might not be your best friend – by design.
• You will eat in a college dorm for ~21 meals per week – the food hopefully won’t be
awful, but it’s often not great.
• You might arrive sick or get sick – we'll take care of you and get you back on your
feet.
• You will struggle in the lab and the classroom – by design.
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 20
• You will struggle with your working group – by design.
• Your science will fail (occasionally) – by design.
Remember, being away from home usually involves some change, compromise, and
sometimes even discomfort – but you will find solutions, adjust, and adapt. You will be
surrounded by peers who are also learning to adapt to a new environment and find their
way in a new community. Finally, you will be supported by the 8 faculty members who are
excited to meet you, get to know you, and support you through this experience – you will
be ok!
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 21
Non-US Citizens Arriving from Outside the USA
Most non-U.S. citizens will need a visa to enter the U.S. for the Summer Science Program. In le-
gal terms, the program is “pleasure” or “tourism,” not “studying” nor “business.” SSPI’s Summer
Science Program is a non-credit enrichment program, like a summer camp. Therefore, we do not
issue the I-20 form required to obtain an F-1 Student Visa. Whatever document(s) you would need
to enter the US as a tourist (typically a B-2 Visitor's Visa) will be sufficient. A foreign national al-
ready in the U.S. needs no additional paperwork to attend the program.
Before you depart home for the Summer Science Program, make two photocopies of the photo
page of your passport and your visa (if any; see below). Leave one copy at home with your par-
ents and pack the other in a separate place from your passport. When you travel, keep your visa,
passport, cash, and airline tickets with you, never in checked luggage.
Is SSPI’s Summer Science Program a "course of study"? According to State Department officials,
it is not. Quoting http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/study-exchange/student.html:
“Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or aca-
demic certificate, is permitted on a visitor (B) visa.”
On the other hand, the page also says: “You must have a student visa to study in the United
States.”
The officer who interviews you or reviews your visa application, either at the US Embassy or Con-
sulate, or at your point of entry, who has never heard of SSPI’s Summer Science Program, might
decide you need a student visa, based on how you describe the program. Since the Summer
Science Program is not a school, we cannot help you get a student visa. Therefore, be careful to
describe the program accurately to immigration officials when you apply for a visa (if necessary)
and when you clear immigration to enter the US. Otherwise, there is some risk that you might not
be allowed into the US.
Most importantly, the official Summer Science Program is an independent summer camp operated
by a nonprofit (SSP International, Inc.). While it is held on a college campus, the Summer Science
Program itself is not a school or college, is not accredited, and does not offer either high school or
college credit. The college campus is only leasing facilities to SSPI. Explain that you will be learn-
ing about (not “studying”) science, taking field trips, and attending lectures on various topics. If the
official asks for a more detailed description of the program, show him or her the letter of invita-
tion you will receive during enrollment for this purpose (print it and take it with you).
Visas to enter the US are issued by the Department of State (www.state.gov). Read below and
online to decide whether you will need to obtain a visa.
If you are already studying in a U.S. school on a student visa, and plan to return home before
the Summer Science Program starts, you may have to renew your visa. Check the expiration date.
If so, find out whether you will have enough time at home to do this. Fortunately, “continuing stu-
dents may enter the United States at any time before their classes start.”

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United
States for stays of 90 days (about 3 months) or less without obtaining a visa. As of March 2025, 43
countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program. The list is at https://travel.state.gov/con-
tent/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html. If you are a citizen of one of these
countries, carefully follow the instructions on that page. You will need to apply for an ETSA ap-
proval.
Summer Science Program Participant Handbook page 22
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda
The Immigration and Nationality Act includes other provisions for visa-free travel for nationals of
Canada and Bermuda under certain circumstances. Visit “Citizens of Canada and Bermuda” at
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/citizens-of-canada-and-ber-
muda.html.