High school initiative in Remote Sensing of the Earth Systems Science and Engineering (HIRES)

Recent attention to K-12 education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has revealed challenges in students' performance and persistence, particularly for groups that are underrepresented STEM fields. STEM shapes people's lives in fundamental ways. However, currently, the U.S. is faced with dual crises (1) a dearth of STEM learners and (2) a lack of learning environments and hands-on opportunities especially for underrepresented communities. Although these challenges are daunting, recent education policy developments are creating an unprecedented opportunity to address them. Individuals, educators, stakeholders and decision-makers across the nation are increasingly seeking methods and strategies to bolster scientific capabilities and the capacity of our teachers and students. This is vital to increase the national STEM talent pool and workforce necessary to sustain the economy and ensure that the U.S. remains a world leader in science and technology. CUNY Remote Sensing Earth System (CREST) Institute and its consortium at the City College of New York expanded the existing successful Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) to create an exemplary science and engineering mentoring program for HS students from underrepresented communities within the five borough of NYC and make them “college ready” especially in fields of Remote Sensing of the Earth. The overarching goals of the project was to expand the number of HS students able to participate in summer research; to introduce pre-college credit bearing courses in MATLAB, GIS and Remote Sensing and introduce students to integrative research and learning modules through hands-on research projects. The objectives of this program was to motivate, inspire, engage and increase the underrepresented minority/underserved and STEM disadvantaged HS students in inter-disciplinary fields of Earth Systems, and Environmental Sciences and Engineering; to engage students in scientific research alongside faculty and graduate mentors; to bring excitement to students/interns through cutting-edge research and help set a STEM career pathways from high school to college. The authors look forward to sharing their summer 2014 High School experience through this presentation.