Environmentor

A science research mentorship for high school students to conduct authentic environmental research on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline

introductory photo

Environmentor is in full swing and no longer accepting applications for this summer. Applications for summer 2025 will open in January. You may want to consider applying for Shore Corps this fall, as a prerequisite, which opens in mid-August. Thank you for your interest.

Environmentor is a science research mentorship program for high school students to conduct authentic research, under the mentorship of scientists from local universities and research institutions, on projects focused on the Rockaway shoreline.

Ninth- to eleventh-grade students who live or attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula are eligible to apply to Environmentor. Students must live in New York City to be eligible to apply. The program is entirely in person.

Dates:  June 5 through August 15, 2024
Location:  RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692
Class Days/Times: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All applicants who submitted an application will be invited to attend a REQUIRED in-person group interview.

Watch our video to learn more about the impacts of Environmentor.

Program Expectations

  • As a prerequisite for Environmentor, students who participated in Shore Corps in the fall and spring semesters  will be prioritized.
  • Students participate four days a week, for six weeks, July 1 through August 15, 2024, and work with a science mentor on an individual research project. Students also take part in water safety, CPR training, kayaking, biking, and surfing throughout the summer.
  • Students receive up to a $1,200 stipend for their research work and participation.
  • Students participate in RISE community service weekend events and will receive community    service hours.
  • Environmentor is part of Pinkerton Science Scholars and New York City Science Research Mentoring Consortium led by American Museum of Natural History.

For more information, contact us at programs@riserockaway.org.

For more information about New York City Science Research Mentoring Consortium, go to www.studentresearchnyc.org.

Below are the research projects Environmentor students worked on last summer.