Zachary Schiffer, a recent graduate of State College Area High School, says that he has a passion for “helping advance scientific understanding.”
He will have an opportunity to advance his knowledge in July when he attends a summer science program at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, which is regarded as one of the world’s foremost centers of scientific research and graduate study.
“I really like the process of posing questions,” he said.
Schiffer, a son of Peter and Sharon Schiffer, of State College, is one of only 19 American students who have been chosen to participate in the 44th annual Dr. Bessie Lawrence International Summer Science Institute. ISSI, a four-week science exploration program, affords students the opportunity to conduct research with world-renowned scientists and graduate students. Participants select a subject area in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or computer sciences. In addition, Schiffer said, the 75 students in the program, who come from all over the world, will also be able to travel to sites around Israel and camp in the desert.
“It’s sort of a combination of culture and science,” he said.
Schiffer already has some solid research credentials under his belt. During the past two summers, he performed research in theoretical chemistry at Penn State with Barbara Garrison, a professor in the department of chemistry. Schiffer and Garrison published a paper last fall in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters.
In the fall, Schiffer will attend Princeton University and is thinking about majoring in chemical engineering. Eventually, he said, he would like to do research in chemistry or physics at a university or corporation. He is particularly interested in energy research, and would like to explore solar energy and the development of new solar cells.
Performing arts presentation
In the past six years, the State Theatre has been hosting performances by community groups and internationally renowned artists. For the first time in its history, the theater has planned a full season of music, dance, theater, film, opera and children’s programming, and will announce those selections during a 90-minute presentation at 7 p.m. June 27. Admission is free.
The presentation will include dance performances from Centre Dance, PA Dance Theatre and Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop. Songs from upcoming musicals will be sung by Tom McClary and Jeff Brown, and local opera singer Amanda Silliker will perform an aria. The State Theatre’s resident theater company, The Next Stage, will present a scene from its upcoming production of “The Memory of Water.” Live music will be provided by Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats, Rick Hirsch and Arthur Goldstein.
Video of some national acts that will be performing at the State Theatre during the upcoming season will be shown on the big screen.
“It’s kind of a little celebration for the theater,” said Cathy Brown, development director.
With only 571 seats in the house, she said, the theater has quite a bit of flexibility in the programming it can support.
“There are a lot of artists who are looking for those smaller, more intimate audiences, and that’s what we offer here,” Brown said.
For more information or to reserve seats, contact the box office at 272-0606 or online at www.thestatetheatre.org.
Stephanie Koons writes this weekly column featuring news from the Centre Region. Contact her at 235-3927 or skoons@centredaily.com.
