Saint Mary's offers a limited number of summer grants to students so they can perform research. David worked up a plan, submitted the application, and was selected! It's a math thing, something about finding a formula or equation that creates a particular shape. Here is a link to the sort of work he's doing, although David's project involves weighted curvature instead of curvature.
I'm glad he's found such a satisfying way to spend his days, but it will be great to have him back at last. I think I've spent more time with his girlfriend, Colette, than with my boy these past few months (which has been great fun, though)!