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Scientific Paper Reading & Research Training Sessions
Scientific Paper Reading & Research Training Sessions
A cornerstone of the SRMP experience is our structured scientific paper reading and research training program, led by co-directors Dr. Paola Domínguez Fernández and Dr. Andrew Szentgyorgyi. Students are divided into teams and assigned a published research paper on a real astronomical discovery. Through guided sessions, they learn how to approach scientific literature: breaking down new terminology, synthesizing complex information, and understanding the broader impact of the results.
From there, students progressively build their knowledge of telescopes, astronomical data, and observational techniques. The program culminates in a presentation challenge: each student prepares and delivers a science talk, receives personalized feedback from Noan Heims — a presentation design expert who has trained TED Talk speakers — and presents their final work to the SRMP co-directors and community.
These sessions are designed to equip students with the core skills of a working scientist: reading the literature critically, communicating ideas clearly, and presenting research with confidence.
Galileoscope Assembly & Rooftop Observation Sessions
Galileoscope Assembly & Rooftop Observation Sessions
Each year, SRMP students participate in two hands-on sessions designed to introduce them to the fundamentals of observational astronomy using Galileoscopes, which are small refracting telescopes developed for the International Year of Astronomy by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The co-directors guide students through the optical principles behind telescopes: the difference between converging and diverging lenses, how focal length determines magnification, and the two classic configurations of a refracting telescope: the Galilean and Keplerian configurations. Students then assemble their own Galileoscopes from scratch in a team challenge format, learning by doing in a fun and collaborative environment.
In the second session, weather permitting, students take their assembled telescopes to the rooftop of the CfA, where they use them to observe nearby objects.
These sessions build foundational skills in instrumentation and observational astronomy, complementing the computational and research training students receive throughout the SRMP year
Ask an Astrophysicist: Career Conversations in Astronomy
Ask an Astrophysicist: Career Conversations in Astronomy
One of the most transformative components of the SRMP experience is our Ask an Astrophysicist conversation series, organized by co-directors Dr. Paola Domínguez Fernández and Dr. Andrew Szentgyorgyi. Each year, we invite a carefully curated ensemble of professionals working across the full spectrum of astrophysics careers, from undergraduate and graduate students sharing their journeys, to postdoctoral researchers, staff scientists, tenure-track professors, science communicators and outreach specialists, instrumentation engineers, and observatory directors.
The goal is simple but powerful: to show our students — many of whom have never met a professional scientist before — that a career in astrophysics can look many different ways. Through open, informal conversations, students discover the diversity of paths that exist within and beyond research astronomy, ask questions they might never feel comfortable asking in a classroom, and connect with role models who reflect a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and career trajectories.
These sessions are designed to broaden students' vision of what is possible for them, inspire informed decisions about their futures, and build the professional network and confidence they need to pursue careers in science.
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