Science, stars and romance were all topics of discussion at Tuesday’s Baker University forum presented by Associate Professor of Physics Ran Sivron.

Sivron gave an introduction to the Summer Science Program, a hands-on learning experience for gifted high school students focused on celestial mathematics.

Sivron, who serves as academic director for the SSP, said the program has been going strong for close to 50 years now.

According to the SSP Web site, www.summerscience.org, the program enhances both personal and academic development of its students and encourages these students to continue pursuit of demanding educational and career goals.

The site also notes the lasting relationships students form while working closely and diligently with other youth who share similar interests introduced in the program.

In his presentation, Sivron discussed what happens in the program and how Baker could potentially benefit from becoming involved in the SSP.

“Baker can learn from it, and hosting (the program) would be great,” Sivron said. “The program is growing and they’re looking for a new campus.”

Sivron said the program gives promising high school students the opportunity for professional experience with advanced equipment.

“It gets the students more involved in technology,” Sivron said.

Sivron said the students come to the program, which is currently located in Ojai, Calif. and Socorro, N.M., for six weeks to take part in three observations. The students then use information gathered from the observations to determine orbital parameters.

Sivron said the students use a combination of several fields of study during the program.

“They learn astronomy, calculus, physics and programming hands-on technology,” Sivron said. “Astronomy sounds a little more sexy, but guess what? They find it’s the hardest thing to learn.”

He said the work is extremely challenging for the students, but equally rewarding in numerous ways.

“These students do well because they’re not children,” Sivron said. “They are very gifted.”

Sivron said the program features distinguished teachers, fun activities, traditions and camaraderie. He said it is easy to get teenagers to want to work together at night, and often romances blossom among students at the camp.

“We try to get more and more fun stuff on top of the professional experience,” Sivron said.

He also discussed the strong alumni relations as well as unique relationships between those within the program.

“The SSP family is very interesting and unique,” Sivron said. “A student on the first day of the program feels as much as part of it as the president.”

Sivron said Baker would be an excellent candidate for hosting the program in the future.

He said Baker would be able to amply accommodate the students with housing for the summer and that there are numerous locations for observation in the area.

Professor of Chemistry Gary Giachino said he thought Sivron’s presentation and the program sounded impressive.

As for Baker’s potential in some day hosting a program such as the SSP, Giachino said he could see it as a possibility.

“I don’t see why not,” Giachino said. “But the organization would be rather daunting.”

Giachino said he would be in favor of a similar program coming to Baker, if not the SSP.

“I would love to see a summer science program here,” Giachino said. “I think it would be marvelous if we can get things organized.”

Sivron said the zeal of the program has been essential to its continuance throughout the years.

“The enthusiasm and intensity of the program makes it successful.” Sivron said.