CHESS is uniquely able to support non-traditional synchrotron research communities, train graduate students and post-doctoral research associates, provide training and mentorship programs for underrepresented groups in STEM fields, provide national leadership in developing K-12 enrichment programs, and provide high quality informational materials to the general public. Thus, Education and Outreach are woven into the very fabric of CHESS and CHEXS.
As a world-class synchrotron X-ray facility located on the central campus of Cornell University, CHESS is uniquely able to develop high energy X-ray capabilities supporting non-traditional synchrotron research communities (e.g., plant scientists or mechanical engineers), to train graduate students and post-doctoral research associates, to provide training and mentorship programs targeting undergraduates from underrepresented groups in STEM fields, to provide national leadership in developing K-12 enrichment programs, and to provide high quality informational materials to the general public. Thus, Education and Outreach are woven into the very fabric of CHESS and CHEXS.
The design of each CHEXS beamline is optimized to support the needs of a specific research community. Each program holistically supports experimental design, data collection, data processing, data analysis, and hands-on training of domain scientists. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral research associates work side-by-side at the X-ray beamlines with CHEXS technical and scientific staff members, receive hands-on experience, and become the leaders of the next generation of synchrotron scientists. As a leading national facility, CHEXS is committed to diversity and inclusion, creating a pipeline for a diversity of scientists coming into STEM fields. Through our partnerships, CHEXS provides research and engineering experiences for community college, undergraduate, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers.
The Summer Engineering Research for Community College Students, SERCCS, program hosts 4-5 students from (2-year) community colleges for eight-week internships in accelerator and x-ray sciences research. The students are mentored by CHESS scientific and technical staff and also participate in formal seminars, tour research facilities, and enjoy social and recreational events.
The Summer Undergraduate Research in Science and Engineering (Sunrise) program provides a supportive research environment for underrepresented students from minority serving institutions where Cornell faculty affiliated with CHESS have a long-term personal relationship (currently Fort Lewis College and the University of Puerto Rico). Students and a faculty mentor from their home institution come to CHESS and work together on projects in collaboration with Cornell scientists.
With support from the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), CHESS also hosts several students each summer. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Summer 2020, all programs were held remotely.
Finally, CHEXS supports STEM education at the K-12 level via teacher training, partnerships with local groups, and lending library programs targeting physics, materials, and biology students.