Students, faculty and industry members are engaged in various educational programs throughtout the Center. These are some of the exciting projects and opportunities at CISP.

Research opportunities
One of the most beneficial enhancements to a degree program is being engaged in research. Applying and acquiring knowledge in a research environment builds many skills: analytical, team, communication, and experimental. Currently, many students - undergraduate and graduate - participate annually in the ongoing research projects at the Center. Students are encouraged to explore the web site areas in Research and Employment Opportunities to see what opportunities are currently available at the CISP.

Capstone projects
Teams of undergraduate students work on industry-relevant projects through their senior capstone course. Past projects have engaged students in an industrial problem, given them experience with machinery and design practice through Penn State's Learning Factory, and provided them with the opportunity to hone their communication and team skills. CISP encourages member companies to participate in the Capstone Design Projects and offers a subsidy according to level of membership. Contact Renata Engel, Associate Director for Education, for more information.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this is a 10-week summer program that provides exposure to research in sintering. Students participating in this program perform research duties as part of an interdisciplinary team, visit industrial sites that represent different segments of the industry, attend weekly seminars on research methodology, intellectual property, sintering and related topics, and participate in weekly "lunch and a conversation" events where product/engineering design and ethics are discussed as a group. Further REU program information.

Curricular Program Development
The Materials Engineering Technology Program at Penn State Dubois is a two-year program that provides broad exposure to the materials industry as well as specific study in the area of powdered materials. The academic leadership at Penn State Dubois is drawing on its strong industrial partnership in the St. Marys region as well as the curriculum expertise of the faculty to enhance the already strong program by examining courses, laboratory activities, and projects for currency and fit to industry needs for engineering technicians.