Internships with Hudson River Park’s River Project provide hands-on research experience as well as mentorship and career stepping stones for students historically underrepresented in STEM fields.
This summer, we’ve been excited to welcome two college-aged mentors from CUNY City College and eight high school students to take part in a virtual internship program focused on marine science research and STEM leadership. During this program, our interns are learning to conduct a local research project focused on microplastics.
As they build research experience, these students also practice STEM leadership and job readiness skills by participating in a number of seminars facilitated by experts. Part of this learning experience for students includes discussing the inextricable connection between race and environmental and climate justice.
For a conversation with our team on how to talk about race, we welcomed teacher, youth advocate and bestselling author, Jasper Armstrong. During this seminar, Mr. Armstrong shared valuable tools necessary to have courageous conversations about race with our colleagues and community.
Our team shared their reflections from this discussion and expressed how they hope to use the power of their voices to continue the conversation on racial justice. These ongoing conversations are key to understanding racial, climate and environmental justice and an important part of how we can bring positive change to the scientific community and beyond. Learn what each student is taking away from this seminar:
Paid internship opportunities for students and recent graduates seeking experience in environmental education and field science to help build STEM communication, research and leadership skills.
Microplastics, plastics smaller than five millimeters, are a pervasive environmental issue that scientists worldwide are studying to understand how they impact waters and wildlife.