Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for the workshop application?
1. Apply for the workshops online on this website (January 2010)
2. You will immediately receive a confirmation email. Contact us if you do not (spacegrant@psu.edu).
3. You will then be accepted into the workshop(s) of your choice, you'll be notified by email. If you have asked for a tuition subsidy, you must wait until you get another email from us stating whether or not you have received the subsidy. If you have not requested a subsidy, you can then apply to the Penn State graduate school
4. Once you receive the email regarding the tuition subsidy, you can apply to the graduate school.
5. You will then receive a letter from the graduate school stating whether or not you have been accepted. Everyone gets accepted, but wait for the letter.
6. Once you are accepted, our office will register you for the class, YOU DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELF.
7. Once you are registered you will receive an email to pay your semester bill, for some of you with tuition subsidies, your balance will be $0.
8. Once you are registered our office will send you information on the workshop and the pre-course materials.
9. Finally, you show up for the workshop and learn lots of neat, new things!

I've applied to the grad school and gotten a notification about a health certificate and being vaccinated for MMR, what do I need to do?
You don't need to do anything. As a non-degree student you are not required to submit this paperwork.

Where are the workshops held?
All workshops are held at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. The name of the campus is University Park. For detailed location information, see our "Location Page".

How do I get there?
You can drive here, see our "Location Page" for directions, or you can fly. If you're flying from out of state it will be easiest if you can fly directly into State College (SCE). If you do that, you can take a taxi directly to the dorm where you will be staying. You also have the option of flying into an airport near by. Harrisburg, PA (MDT) is the other closest airport at 1.5 hours away. Pittsburgh (PIT), Philadelphia (PHL), Baltimore (BWI), and Washington Dulles (IAD) are all about 3.5 to 4 hours from State College. Flying into these airports will require that you rent a car.

Where will I stay during the week?
More information coming in January.

If I rent a car, or stay off campus, where can I park?

More information coming in January.

What is the schedule for the week?
Orientation will begin at 8am on Monday. Classes will conclude at 3pm on Friday. PLEASE do not make travel arrangements to leave before 3pm. Each day the workshops will begin between 8:00am and 8:30am and continue through 5:00pm.

Where is my classroom?
Each of the workshops will be taught in a different classroom on campus. You will be receiving information particular to your workshop with your pre-course materials. Included in the materials will be a map with your classroom location information.

What fees am I responsible for?
More information coming soon.

What should I bring?
State College weather can be very warm during the day and downright chilly at night. We would suggest bringing a jacket and an umbrella. Workshop attire is casual, but some of the rooms are either a little warm or a little cold, we suggest dressing in layers. A comfortable pair of shoes is essential, the campus is large and some walking will be required. If you have a field trip as part of your workshop, be sure to bring appropriate clothes, hiking boots and a water bottle. Bring a laptop if you have one available. There is wireless access in each of the classrooms. Also, there are a number of facilities on campus to workout or swim. Don't forget to bring your pre-course materials!

How will I get reimbursed for travel expenses?
More information coming in January.

How do meals work?
More information coming in January.

How do I get my PSU ID and computer account?
After the orientation session will be walk you over to sign-up for your computer account and get your PSU ID.

I want more campus information, where can I go online?
See this site for more infomation about Penn State. Click here for Penn State campus maps.

How do I receive my Act 48 credits?
This information is coming soon.

You haven't answered my question, how do I conact you?
Email Heather Nelson at heathernelson@psu.edu or call 814-863-5957. I would be happy to assit you.






Frequently Asked Questions What is the process for the workshop application? 1. Apply for the workshops online on this website (January 2010) 2. You will immediately receive a confirmation email. Contact us if you do not (spacegrant@psu.edu). 3. You will then be accepted into the workshop(s) of your choice, you'll be notified by email. If you have asked for a tuition subsidy, you must wait until you get another email from us stating whether or not you have received the subsidy. If you have not requested a subsidy, you can then apply to the Penn State graduate school 4. Once you receive the email regarding the tuition subsidy, you can apply to the graduate school. 5. You will then receive a letter from the graduate school stating whether or not you have been accepted. Everyone gets accepted, but wait for the letter. 6. Once you are accepted, our office will register you for the class, YOU DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELF. 7. Once you are registered you will receive an email to pay your semester bill, for some of you with tuition subsidies, your balance will be $0. 8. Once you are registered our office will send you information on the workshop and the pre-course materials. 9. Finally, you show up for the workshop and learn lots of neat, new things! I've applied to the grad school and gotten a notification about a health certificate and being vaccinated for MMR, what do I need to do? You don't need to do anything. As a non-degree student you are not required to submit this paperwork. Where are the workshops held? All workshops are held at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. The name of the campus is University Park. For detailed location information, see our "Location Page". How do I get there? You can drive here, see our "Location Page" for directions, or you can fly. If you're flying from out of state it will be easiest if you can fly directly into State College (SCE). If you do that, you can take a taxi directly to the dorm where you will be staying. You also have the option of flying into an airport near by. Harrisburg, PA (MDT) is the other closest airport at 1.5 hours away. Pittsburgh (PIT), Philadelphia (PHL), Baltimore (BWI), and Washington Dulles (IAD) are all about 3.5 to 4 hours from State College. Flying into these airports will require that you rent a car. Where will I stay during the week? More information coming in January. If I rent a car, or stay off campus, where can I park? More information coming in January. What is the schedule for the week? Orientation will begin at 8am on Monday. Classes will conclude at 3pm on Friday. PLEASE do not make travel arrangements to leave before 3pm. Each day the workshops will begin between 8:00am and 8:30am and continue through 5:00pm. Where is my classroom? Each of the workshops will be taught in a different classroom on campus. You will be receiving information particular to your workshop with your pre-course materials. Included in the materials will be a map with your classroom location information. What fees am I responsible for? More information coming soon. What should I bring? State College weather can be very warm during the day and downright chilly at night. We would suggest bringing a jacket and an umbrella. Workshop attire is casual, but some of the rooms are either a little warm or a little cold, we suggest dressing in layers. A comfortable pair of shoes is essential, the campus is large and some walking will be required. If you have a field trip as part of your workshop, be sure to bring appropriate clothes, hiking boots and a water bottle. Bring a laptop if you have one available. There is wireless access in each of the classrooms. Also, there are a number of facilities on campus to workout or swim. Don't forget to bring your pre-course materials! How will I get reimbursed for travel expenses? More information coming in January. How do meals work? More information coming in January. How do I get my PSU ID and computer account? After the orientation session will be walk you over to sign-up for your computer account and get your PSU ID. I want more campus information, where can I go online? See this site for more infomation about Penn State. Click here for Penn State campus maps. How do I receive my Act 48 credits? This information is coming soon. You haven't answered my question, how do I conact you? Email Heather Nelson at heathernelson@psu.edu or call 814-863-5957. I would be happy to assit you.	"I have used many of the activities they have provided without modification, and have come away with a rich content understanding only an immersive experience such as this could provide." CJ RODKEY, Keystone Oaks High School, Pittsburgh, PA
The workshops are an outreach program of NASA's Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium, the Eberly College of Science, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, the Penn State Astrobiology Research Center, NASA Astrobiology Institute, the NSF-funded Penn State Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). \| Privacy and Legal Statements \| Site Administrator \|