Fueling Curiosity: Research Opportunities for High School Students and Teachers
The Gru Lab at Tennessee Tech University invites high school students and teachers to join our research team and experience real science in action. This program gives participants a chance to explore chemistry, physics, and engineering in a hands-on and engaging way, no prior experience needed!
Our lab studies how molecules behave by using a special technique called Fourier Transform Microwave (FTMW) Spectroscopy. This method helps us look closely at molecules to understand their shape and motion. It’s a tool used in areas like space science, climate research, and energy studies. What makes our lab unique is that we build many of our instruments ourselves, right here at Tennessee Tech!
We even created the first FTMW spectrometer in the state of Tennessee, and we’re now building new ones that can study even more interesting molecules.
What Can Students and Teachers Do in the Lab?
Participants in our program get to:
- Help build real scientific instruments
- Learn how vacuum pumps and other lab equipment work
- Try out coding and data collection using tools like Python and LabVIEW
- Use 3D printers and computer-aided design (CAD) tools
- Explore how lasers can create and study short-lived molecules
- Learn how scientists use spectroscopy to “see” molecules using light and microwaves
- Work on real-world projects—including a fun partnership with a local winery!
We also use supersonic molecular beams, this means molecules moving faster than sound, which helps us study chemistry under extremely cold conditions, like those found in outer space or high-speed aircraft.
Who Can Join?
We welcome:
- High school students interested in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM)
- Science teachers who want to grow professionally or bring new lab ideas into the classroom
No special experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn! Students can join us for as little as one afternoon per week, or more if their schedule allows. Summer opportunities are also available. While these positions are unpaid for now, we sometimes offer paid roles to students who stay involved.
What You’ll Get
Everyone in the program will receive:
- Full lab safety training
- One-on-one help from university students and researchers
- A chance to be listed as a co-author on real science papers
- Opportunities to attend science conferences
- The possibility to work with national labs and even international research teams
Weekly Meetings
We hold group meetings every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:30 PM during the Spring and Fall semesters. These meetings are a great way to learn what others are working on, ask questions, and get involved. You can join in person or online through Microsoft Teams. To get the meeting link, please email Dr. Ranil Gurusinghe.
Where We Are
Our lab is located in Room 2327 of the Laboratory Science Commons Building, at 803 Stadium Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501 on the Tennessee Tech University campus.
Want to know more?
Check out the other tabs on our website to learn more about our research, lab members, and recent publications. We hope you’ll join us and explore the exciting world of molecular science!
