Mission Statement
Our mission is to develop a comprehensive and well-structured educator network supported by a systematic education pathway that connects high school to undergraduate studies, including both community colleges and four-year institutions. This mission includes creating an effective platform to share educational resources and opportunities—such as level-appropriate research activities, extracurricular programs like science camps, and clear pathways for entrance or transfer to the next stage of education.
Furthermore, we are committed to providing ongoing research-related technical training for students who prefer hands-on technology over academic research, such as activities involving the installation and maintenance of weather station instruments.
Vision & Goals
Formal Education and Training
The CUNY CREST Institute provides research faculty and affiliated faculty in several interdisciplinary departments, serving as mentors to students interested in studies related to Earth System Science and engineering fields with emphasis on remote sensing technologies. The institute does not directly offer undergraduate and graduate degrees but is either a faculty on those programs or affiliated with the relevant departments and programs. Prospective students interested in remote sensing and Earth System Science are encouraged to contact the relevant departments, such as the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Physics Department, Department of Civil Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Earth System Sciences and Environmental Engineering Program, Department of Computer Sciences, Data Science Program, Department of Economics and Business, and Earth and Environmental Science Program at The Graduate Center. These programs offer a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate majors in various STEM fields with an emphasis on Earth System Science and remote sensing technologies.
Goals
Assess, evaluate, and develop need-based courses in Earth Science, Environmental Science, Data Science, Remote Sensing/GIS (advanced), and technology.
Expand continuing education opportunities at CUNY, including the above courses and digital literacy programs.
Design and offer certificate courses for international partners.
Collaborate with NYC-DOE to develop and implement teacher training programs.
Informal Education and Training
The CUNY CREST Institute offers several programs aimed at providing students with research experience and increasing diversity in STEM fields. HIRES provides NYC high school students with STEM research opportunities, REU offers undergraduates research experience in Remote Sensing, CiPASS aims to increase underrepresented minorities studying STEM at City College, JPSS SPARKS is a workforce development initiative for graduate or upper-level undergraduate students in satellite science, and Weather Camp is a two-week program for high school students focused on meteorology. All programs offer hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to work with scientists and mentors in their respective fields.
Goals
Informal Education: Pursue grant opportunities and build infrastructure to support informal education initiatives.
Undergraduate Students: Expand opportunities through programs such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates and Improving Undergraduate STEM Education.
Teacher Training: Strengthen professional development via Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) and teacher training programs in partnership with NYCDOE.
High School Students: Enhance STEM engagement through programs including HIRES (Pinkerton Foundation), Bridge to College, Weather Camp, CAHSEE/NASA, and the STEM ELL Initiative (NYCDOE).