CREST High School Initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Engineering And Sciences (HIRES)
Director: Dr. Shakila Merchant
The CUNY CREST HIRES in its 10th year has supported more than 200 high school students from within the 5 boroughs of New York City (NYC) public schools. Most interns are traditionally underrepresented and historically excluded in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) learning and outreach opportunities. A 7-week college readiness program, HIRES has created a community of practice of informal STEM and K12 educators. The program instills confidence and provides learning opportunities to its interns, along with authentic research experiences in Earth System Sciences and Environmental Engineering and 3 College credits. Besides a structured program, the CUNY CREST HIRES community believes and instills soft skills and knowledge within each intern to help them bridge into STEM careers and be college ready in the Earth and geosciences with a focus on NOAA’s mission of science, service and stewardship. The program is part of the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium funded by the Pinkerton Foundation.
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU)
Director: Reginald Blake
This NSF REU program offers undergraduate students from the City University of New York the opportunity to actively engage in cutting-edge remote sensing research at the CUNY CREST Institute. The program provides a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment coupled with strong mentorship from dedicated CUNY faculty and researchers. These mentors are especially committed to supporting the success of underrepresented minorities, and students with disabilities in STEM. As designated NSF Model Replication Institution (MRI), the REU site at City Tech, supported through its partnership with the CUNY CREST Institute, serves as a catalyst for expanding access to remote sensing research. REU also helps formalize pathways for students to pursue opportunities with NOAA, while fostering the development of additional research experiences supported by both NSF and NOAA.
The City College Initiative to Promote Academic Success in STEM (CiPASS)
Director: Doris Cintron
The CiPASS Program at The City College of New York aims to increase the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing and succeeding in STEM fields by providing comprehensive academic and professional support. The program is structured around five key components: a Summer STEM Bridge Program to enhance college readiness and boost academic confidence; online instruction to strengthen essential math skills; real-time academic performance monitoring with personalized interventions; hands-on experiential and entrepreneurial learning opportunities; and targeted recruitment and support for transfer students, in collaboration with CUNY Community Colleges. Together, these elements help students build a strong academic foundation and gain valuable experiences that prepare them for success in the STEM workforce.
Weather Camp
Director: Brian Vant-Hull
The Weather Camp at the City University of New York is a two-week summer program designed for high school students from the New York City metropolitan area. Since 2009, the program has been offered free of charge to 6-12 students selected through a competitive application process. It typically begins in the last week of July or the first week of August, depending on staff availability. The first week is held as a day camp on the campus of The City College of New York. Students are introduced to fundamental meteorological concepts through interactive, hands-on activities, with a focus on real-time weather observations both locally and across the country. Guest speakers, including experts in severe weather and climate science, offer presentations and engage students in Q&A sessions. The week also includes a visit to a local broadcast meteorologist to observe how live weather forecasts are developed. During the second week, the program shifts focus to practical forecasting in the computer lab at City College, complemented by a field trip to the National Weather Service (NWS) office located at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This segment of the camp takes place near a beach on Long Island’s north shore, offering students the opportunity to study coastal and urban weather phenomena in the field. Each morning is spent at the NWS office for in-depth exploration of atmospheric processes, while afternoons are dedicated to field-based observations of the sea breeze effect, urban heat island, surface conditions, and cloud formations.
