More than 300 middle school and high school students participated in the CCNY STEM Institute's Summer 2024 semester.
The CCNY STEM Institute’s Summer 2024 semester concluded with a ceremony on Aug. 6, when the graduating students presented a total of 54 projects.
The semester’s theme was Researching Optimization of Urban Transportation Environments, known as “R.O.U.T.E.,” a collaboration of CCNY and the New York City Department of Transportation.
Two hundred ninety-eight of the 355 participating students (74 middle schoolers and 224 high schoolers) completed the five-week summer program, which offered hands-on activities and immersive learning to those interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and careers.
Each student took two rigorous STEM courses and engaged in hands-on research with the guidance of approximately 100 dedicated undergraduate mentors. On the final day, the 54 projects proposed an array of solutions to modern day urban transportation issues.
“The STEM Institute's mission has always been to provide meaningful opportunities for students from underserved and underrepresented populations to explore STEM subjects and discover pathways to higher education and careers in STEM fields,” said Gareth Williams, special projects coordinator in the Office of the Senior Associate Provost, and the STEM Institute’s programs and partnerships manager. “Programs like R.O.U.T.E. are vital in engaging young people in hands-on experiences, and ensuring that our future innovators are reflective of the diverse communities they come from.”
Founded in 1992, the CCNY STEM Institute offers courses in the physical sciences, mathematics, English, computer programming, engineering, and more. The Institute also provides a select group of students with the opportunity to conduct research with faculty at the Grove School of Engineering. All students who participate are encouraged to pursue careers in the fields of engineering, technology, science, business, and/or mathematics.
Twelve-week versions of the program are offered in the fall and in the spring. The Fall 2024 program offers a diverse range of 15 courses, available after school and on Saturdays. Each course is crafted to provide hands-on, immersive learning experiences that will spark curiosity and foster a deep understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The deadline to register is Sept. 13.
"We are thrilled to have collaborated with NYC DOT to bring the R.O.U.T.E. program to life this summer,” said Williams. “This initiative has empowered hundreds of middle and high school students to dive deep into research topics that address critical transportation issues in their communities.”
The collaboration with the DOT was championed by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez B.A.’94 and MSEd ‘99, a supporter of the STEM Institute from the time he represented the area as a New York City Councilmember from 2009 to 2021.
The CUNY Office of K16 Initiatives supplied funding via the New York City Summer Youth Employment Program, which allowed the scholars to get paid for engaging in research over the program. It also supported some of the undergraduate peer mentors, and provided MetroCards to students to alleviate any financial burden associated with their participation in the program.
Funding was also provided by CCNY’s UTRC/SEMPACT (University Transportation Research Center/Social and Economic Mobility for People And Communities through Transportation) to support and promote transportation research, and to offer resources, mentorship, and guidance to students in their research.
The Pinkerton Foundation funded the CCNY Research Internship in STEM Program (CRISP) in collaboration with the New York Science Research Consortium. This collaboration supported a subset of 20 Institute students who conducted more in-depth research projects while receiving additional support and guidance from experts in the field. The CRISP scholars presented their research at the annual New York State Reliability Council Symposium at the American Museum of Natural History on Aug. 15.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Syd Steinhardt
212-650-7875
ssteinhardt1@ccny.cuny.edu