NASA Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Paper Writing Summer 2026 Young Scholars Program

Total $3,750

Description

NASA Data Science Analysis and Scholarly Research Paper Writing

Summer 2026 Young Scholars Program

Hosted by
Department of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science and Schar School of Policy and Government
George Mason University
Format
Hybrid program
Primarily virtual, with optional in person participation at the GMU Fairfax Campus
Program Dates
June 13 – August 29, 2026 (12 week program)
Program Structure

Phase 1: Research and Learning

Weeks 1–7, Saturdays: June 13 – July 25
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST
Students participate in a combination of live and recorded instruction focused on astronomy research methods, NASA mission data, and research project development.
Key components include
• Faculty led lectures and discussions
• Research project selection and feedback
• Asynchronous lectures released mid week
• Guided research progress with ongoing support
Nighttime Virtual Telescope Observing and Data Analysis
Small group observing sessions by RSVP
July 11, July 18, July 25
Ongoing discussion and collaboration via Discord
Phase 2: Research Paper Presentation and Conference Day
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Format: Hybrid
• 20 to 25 students selected to give oral research presentations
• All students may present research posters
• Faculty evaluation, awards, and scholarships
Scholarships and awards of up to $2,000 will be granted for outstanding research performance.
Lunch is provided for in person attendees.
Phase 3: Scholarly Paper Refinement
Weeks 9–12: August 8 – August 29
Students focus on refining and finalizing a professional quality scholarly research paper with faculty guidance.
Final Paper Submission Deadline: August 29, 2026
Program Overview
This program offers motivated high school students an authentic research experience in NASA aligned space data science and astronomy. Students analyze real data from current NASA missions, including the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and selected James Webb Space Telescope datasets.
Participants work through the full research process from data analysis and statistical inference to academic writing and formal presentation. The program emphasizes depth, rigor, and real contribution to ongoing scientific efforts.
Research Focus Areas
• Astronomy data analysis and statistical methods
• Observational astronomy and quantitative research
• Scientific inference and uncertainty analysis
• Space science and the private space revolution
• Research communication and scholarly writing
Tools and Methods
Students gain experience using professional research tools, including
• Python and Jupyter notebooks
• GitHub based research workflows
• AstroImageJ and FITS data
• Time series analysis and Bayesian statistics
Research Output and Certification
• Students receive a Certificate of Completion from George Mason University
• Final research papers are published on official GMU webpages, including
Schar School Young Scholars Journals
Department of Physics publication platforms

Instructor

Dr. Peter Plavchan
Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Director of the George Mason University Observatories
Dr. Plavchan leads research teams working directly with NASA mission data and guides students through professional level astronomical research and scientific writing.
Who This Program Is For
This program is designed for high school students who
• Are interested in astronomy, physics, or data science
• Want real research experience, not a lecture only course
• Seek a strong academic research paper for competitions or future applications
Students complete a full research cycle that mirrors how professional scientists work.
Registration and Fees
Tuition: $3,650 ＋Registration Fee: $100 (HS2 College Counseling Student $3,350)

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