NSL graduate student Fabio Rivero served as director for the inaugural run of the University of Notre Dame chapter of PING (Physicists Inspiring the Next Generation) in summer 2025. Five high school students from the greater South Bend area participated in a two-week summer program designed to introduce them to what physics research is and how it is carried out in practice.

During the first week, students explored foundational physics concepts and completed a Python coding bootcamp. In the second week, they applied their new skills by working on week-long modern physics projects. These hands-on projects included analyzing real data from the Hubble Space Telescope, conducting experiments in a nuclear science laboratory setting, and more.

The program provided an exciting opportunity to share our passion for physics with the next generation of scientists, and we look forward to welcoming a new cohort of students in Summer 2026!