Program Description

Climate science is the unifying theme of IT-ROCS; through it, students will explore the impact of climate change on Earth’s ecosystems. Students will engage with faculty mentors with expertise in ecology, evolution, climatology, remote sensing, geography, biochemistry, and computer science. Project topics range from the impact of recent climate change on air and water quality in the greater NY region to the study of evolutionary responses of biodiversity to past climate change to help foresee future trajectories. This REU will also promote the learning of science communication and STEM teaching practices through engagement with local community outreach programs.

Students will join a lab each summer in groups of two or three and will be active participants in the lab’s life, attending lab meetings and social activities. Some activities will be shared across multiple labs (i.e. lunch in the Students Office), allowing students to interact with faculty and trainees from other groups. In the lab, students will be trained in scientific practices and techniques by their faculty mentor, as well as by graduate students and postdoc.

IT-ROCS is unique in that it combines a research experience in climate science and engagement with community programs focused on climate-related environmental justice work and biodiversity education. Participants will spend 4 to 6 hours per week mentoring younger students and engaging with NYC communities through partner nonprofit organizations. Some examples of activities, based on established collaborations, are:

mentoring high school students as they explore climate career pathways and lead climate-centered service learning projects for local communities (Solar One);
educating NYC youth on native pollinators and the positive effects of urban gardening (The Hort);
mentoring high school students as they monitor water quality and biodiversity in the Hudson river (BioBus); and
oyster restoration, sediment sampling, habitat enhancement monitoring, and wildlife surveys (Hudson River Park Trust).

As they engage in community work, participants will have a chance to explore firsthand the consequences of climate change on urban ecosystems (including human societies) and use their scientific expertise to help understand and mitigate some of the negative effects. REU Students will be part of a larger community of undergraduates undertaking summer research at CCNY and will participate in weekly professional development sessions on both research and soft skills. Applicants will be selected for their interest or experience in climate science, as shown broadly by course work, jobs, club activities or volunteering experiences, as well as their willingness to explore careers in climate science education. IT-ROCS aims to take approximately 3 students from CCNY, 3 students from the CUNY system (including community colleges), and 3 non-CUNY students each year, depending on the application pool. The 10-week program will be structured as per the diagram below: