Imagine, August 2025 
Showcasing materials science to lifelong learners through the Road Scholar program
This summer, Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) welcomed a group of curious and passionate lifelong learners as part of the Road Scholar program, “A week with the scientists at Penn State University.”
The weeklong program, held on the University Park campus, offered participants a deep dive into the world of materials science, showcasing cutting-edge research, and its real-world applications. Road Scholar is a not-for-profit educational travel organization that offers immersive experiences to adults aged 50 and older.
Participants came from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including education, publishing, and science. Among them were retirees Tom Moslak, who worked in the nuclear field for more than 40 years, and his wife Teresa Moslak, a former fifth-grade science teacher and Penn State alumna. Both expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to reconnect with science and the University.
“I decided to take the materials program to come up to speed as to what some of the latest developments in chemistry are and how it's being applied,” said Tom Moslak.
After teaching science to elementary students for 24 years, Teresa Moslak said, “I wanted to find out how the science that I taught the kids is being implemented by people in the modern era. The subject matter is presented in such a way that no matter where you are in terms of what you know, you can be impressed by the research that’s occurring right now.”
The program was designed to be accessible to participants regardless of their academic background. Stephanie Law, associate professor of materials science and engineering, and Nairiti Sinha, assistant professor, co-organized the program.
The experience was not only enriching for participants but also benefited the department. “We are spreading the word about materials science and engineering and about science in general,” Law said. “Many participants said that they had no idea what MatSE was before the program but thought it was extremely interesting and important.”
Participants also learned about the role of federal funding in scientific research. “Many participants were unaware of the role that federal funding plays in our research,” Law said. “We hope that by educating the public on what materials science and engineering is, why it is important, and how we use federal funds, we will help build public support for materials research and education.”
Sinha said she enjoyed working with the group and appreciated the diversity of perspectives. “The participants had varied backgrounds, so their questions were broad, big-picture questions and very insightful,” she said. “For example, we hosted an 80-year-old editor who was still active, a retired chemist, and a retired high school teacher in literature.”
For the Moslaks, the experience was both intellectually stimulating and personally meaningful. “Just being around people who want to improve the world regenerates our energy,” Teresa said.
Tom said, “The passion, I like that. Penn State has very passionate faculty that love what they’re doing and love to share the news.”
Law confirmed that MatSE is already booked to host the Road Scholar program again next year. “It is rare that we get to engage with adults for outreach, and it was a nice change of pace,” said Stephanie Law. “The participants were all very enthusiastic, and I look forward to working with Road Scholar next year.”
Founded in 1975, Road Scholar is the world’s largest not-for-profit provider of experiential learning for adults. The organization offers more than 4,000 learning adventures in 100 countries, on all seven continents and across the United States, serving more than six million participants.