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Benefits of the Summer Science Program
SSP's design and operation are guided by these goals:
- to challenge gifted students with new material faster than they can fully assimilate it
- to create an environment where learning is valued for its own sake, rather than for grades or credits
- to encourage collaboration and teamwork on a hands-on astronomical research project
- to give students the opportunity to meet and interact with working scientists, graduate students, and other professionals
- to offer the personal freedom to allow each student to come to terms with the Program's challenges in his or her own way, supported by the Program's staff and its Code of Honor.
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Guiding the Takahashi FS-152 astrograph |
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Every participant has ample opportunity to make mistakes, to experience confusion about the academic material, and risk falling behind, usually for the first time in their lives. Every participant learns not only academic material, but what a career in science is really like. And the most profound and lasting lessons are about teamwork, time management, leadership, and stamina.
After experiencing the Summer Science Program, the student is in an excellent position to make better decisions about college, major, and career. Many gain confidence in their ability to excel at any college they choose. A few decide that a science major is not for them after all ... which is a good thing to find out before starting college!
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