Representing MPSP at the 2025 Physics and Astronomy Congress in Denver
At the end of October, our MPSP student Gabriel Baum travelled to Denver to represent the Max Planck School of Photonics at the 2025 Physics and Astronomy Congress, the world’s largest gathering of undergraduate physics and astronomy students. Hosted by Sigma Pi Sigma and supported by the American Institute of Physics, the congress brought together students, faculty, alumni, and experts for three packed days of talks, workshops, career perspectives, and plenty of lively discussions.
A hectic start: losing his voice on Day 1
The first congress day turned out to be intense. From the moment the doors opened, the booth was surrounded by curious students wanting to learn more about studying photonics, pursuing research careers, intrigued by the opportunity to study abroad.
The conversations barely paused, so much so that by the end of the day, Gabriel had almost lost his voice. But the energy and enthusiasm were worth it.
Day 2: Still busy - hydration by sprinting
The second day brought no slowdown. Students kept coming with questions about our MSc/PhD tracks, innovation in photonics, and life in Germany.
At one point, the crowd around the booth grew so quickly that even grabbing a quick water break required strategic timing and a small sprint.
But again, the interest was tremendous, especially when discussing practical topics such as:
Cost of living comparisons between Germany and the U.S.
The diversity within our Fellows and their research fields, showing how broad and interdisciplinary photonics truly is.
Day 3: Space to breathe and to connect more deeply
The final day of the congress was noticeably calmer. This allowed for longer, more in-depth conversations: students shared their career aspirations, concerns, and excitement about graduate school.
For many, hearing about Germany's research environment, strong academic infrastructure, and international student community was transformative.
Why this Congress matters
The 2025 theme, Supporting Our Phase Shifts, captured the spirit of the event perfectly. Today’s physics and astronomy majors are navigating shifting academic landscapes, new technological challenges, and questions about their next steps: be it graduate school, industry, or something uniquely their own.
The congress offered a space to explore these uncertainties, find guidance, meet mentors, and connect with peers facing similar transitions.
A valuable experience for both sides
For MPSP, being present in Denver meant more than simply providing information. It was about listening, understanding students’ needs, and showing how international programs like ours can support their next “phase shift.”
For our representative Masters student Gabriel Baum, it was a chance to learn firsthand what young physicists are concerned and excited about.
From losing his voice on Day 1 to meaningful one-on-one discussions on Day 3, the congress delivered what it promised: new connections, fresh perspectives, and a great opportunity to introduce the MPSP to a global community of young scientists.