Students in the RISE program are shown here removing invasive plants that are suffocating native and ornamental species.
Dominican College hosted a three-week summer research experience for high school students in July. The free program is called RISE (Research Immersion in Science and Ecology) and was generously funded by Orange and Rockland Utilities.
Biology Professor Regina Alvarez said the 15 high school participants in the program were mature, intelligent, and highly motivated to learn. “Our aim was to expose the students to different STEM and environmental science fields and to nurture and promote their interest in science,” she said.
During the first week of the RISE program, students were introduced to a range of STEM fields and careers through various workshops. Students then worked with undergraduate mentors and a scientist, to complete a project during the second week. The projects focused on the Sparkill Creek and included chemical descriptions, microbiological and viral genomics, and botanical and ecological surveys. The program concluded with students learning how to analyze data and prepare a poster presentation. On July 26, 2019 the students presented their work at Dominican College to their families, friends, and teachers.