NOAA administrator lauds New York science students at CCNY CREST Day

Posted on April 18, 2011

10th Annual NOAA CREST Day Event held April 15, 2011 in CCNY's GREAT Hall

The 10th Annual NOAA-CREST Day was held on Friday, April 15 in the City College of New York’s Great Hall proved again to be great success in promoting and inspiring STEM education to the next generation of scientists and engineers.  More than 500 attendees enjoyed the surroundings of CCNY’s Great Hall and listened to an assemblage of top scientists and NOAA Administrators.  More than 500 NYC Metro Area High School and Middle School students attended alongside CCNY undergraduate and graduate students, NOAA CREST Faculty and researchers, and special invited guests.

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco spotlighted NOAA’s Cooperative Remote Sensing Science and Technology Center (CREST) for its efforts to prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. CREST is one of five centers established by NOAA through the Educational Partnership Program (EPP) with minority serving institutions.

“We need well trained scientists, mathematicians and engineers if we are to improve the lives of the citizens of this nation and the world,” Lubchenco said, in her keynote speech during the 10th annual NOAA-CREST Day at The City College of New York (CCNY). “I am pleased that this program is doing just that. Careers in the sciences are not only personally rewarding and interesting, but they provide economic benefits to individuals as well as to the community.”

Dr. Lubchenco provided a real-life case study on using NOAA’s satellite program to enhance a snowstorm prediction and therefore better prepare thousands of people for the actual storm.  Without the satellite input the non-satellite predictive measure showed a differential of ten inches less than what actually occurred.  She continued to provide real-life examples of NOAA product value to the economy and well-being of America and the resulting creation of new jobs for “next-gen” scientists and engineers.  Attendees surely were inspired by Dr. Lubchenco’s presence and keynote address.

Invited Speakers Deliver Valued Information

Ms. Mary Kicza, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information services made a wonderful presentation entitled “Science and Research Opportunities.” Dr. Gillian Small, CUNY Vice Chancellor of Research and CCNY’s Dean Mercado provided an overview of NOAA CREST and a warm welcome to guests.  Dr. Philip Ardanuy, Chief Scientist from Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems conveyed current and future satellite and remote sensing plans coming from Raytheon and future opportunities for “next-gen” scientists at Raytheon, while CREST Faculty Dr. Charles Vorosmarty and Dr. Jorge Gonzales made engaging presentations regarding CREST research and career opportunities awaiting future scientists in attendance.

Student Participation and Recognition

CREST students prepared a hall of posters highlighting their research projects, while the NOAA CREST Student Association (CSA) created an “Eco-Race” quiz and CREST Jeopardy competition for guest High School students.  An awards ceremony followed lunch to honor student competition winners as well as honoring the CREST Student of the Year and CREST student Merit award.  Special guest Dr. Jane Lubchenco presented the awards with NOAA CREST Director Reza Khanbilvardi and CREST Administrator Dr. Shakila Merchant.

A Tradition continues, and expands

For the 10th consecutive year, NOAA CREST Day served once again as a true Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Awareness Event for all who attended in the New York metro area and beyond.  Since its inception in 2001, the annual NOAA CREST Day CREST has showcased the research and opportunities that make NOAA CREST such a unique and special part of the NY Metropolitan area.  Following its recent inauguration to status as a CUNY Institute, NOAA CREST fulfilled it’s promise of a fun-filled and informative day for anyone interested in coastal, atmospheric and hydrologic sciences. 

NOAA CREST Background

CREST includes 11 colleges and universities in five states and Puerto Rico with CCNY as the lead institution. CREST’s industry partners are Raytheon Corp., Northrup Grumman, and Earth Resources Technology, Inc. CREST trains students from high school through doctoral and post doctoral levels and conducts research using satellite remote sensing technology to study climate, air quality, precipitation and coastal water environmental conditions, and prepares high school teams for success in the Ocean Science Bowl.

CREST has been integral in training students in cutting edge NOAA mission critical research for the future science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce. CREST has supported 247 graduates (78 with graduate level degrees) who work for private industry and federal and state entities, including three who work at NOAA. In 2010, CREST’s outstanding performance resulted in its institutionalization as an Institute in the City University of New York System (CUNY).

Martin Yapur, a physical scientist at NOAA’s satellite services office of systems development in Silver Spring, Md. He has been at NOAA since 2003 and analyzes observing systems that best satisfy NOAA's needs for environmental observations. He was a CREST student who received his degree from CCNY in 2002.

“I didn’t know NOAA existed,” he said. “But when CREST opened, they recruited interns. I fell in love with NOAA’s mission and worked hard to get a job here. I think this went beyond my expectations.”

Yapur considers himself an advocate for the program and volunteers as a mentor for other students and a judge of papers. And at the last year’s NOAA-CREST Day, he was a speaker on the program, talking about his experiences and encouraging others.

NOAA began the Educational Partnership Program with minority serving institutions to increase the number of students, particularly from underrepresented communities, who are trained and graduate in NOAA mission-critical sciences.  EPP established five cooperative science centers at minority serving institutions to advance collaborative research in the NOAA mission sciences. The first four Cooperative Science Centers (CSC) were established in 2001 and the fifth in 2006. In the past 10 years, all five EPP CSC centers have produced more than 700 peer-reviewed publications and conducted 625 collaborative research projects with NOAA. The cooperative science centers have awarded more than 800 Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level degrees in STEM fields. More than 600 of these degrees have been awarded to students from under-represented communities, NOAA's Educational Partnership Program.

Visit http://www.totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=noaacrest# to watch the recorded webcast!