Lessons learnt from Remote Sensing Science and Education Training for K-20

Since its inception, the NOAA-CREST Center has been the lead partner of NOAA on application of remote sensing science & technology in issues pertaining to assessment, monitoring and stewardship of earth and the environment. The consortium of universities it has assembled covers the eastern corridor of the United States from New York State to Puerto Rico; besides Lehman College; Bronx Community and NY City College of Technology within City University of New York. By the locations and histories, CREST's partner universities are ideally suited to furthering the Center's mission of increasing the number of underrepresented minority students who become engaged in NOAA related disciplines. CREST recruits and train undergraduate, masters and doctoral students in NOAA-related sciences with special emphasis on satellites and remote sensing technology. CREST offers summer high school internship & science enrichment program including weather camp. The program also includes seminars, summer internships with NOAA, and with industrial partners, and school-year research assistantships.

With ever increasing global environmental challenge – it is imperative that while our citizenry are well informed about environmental education and literacy; our students must also be trained and educated in environmental sciences to face the challenges and offer solutions to the global issues that are daunting the world. Through this paper, the authors will emphasize CREST's accomplishments towards its mission of recruiting; training and mentoring K-20 students in NOAA related sciences & engineering. The paper will also highlight the lessons learnt in the educational accomplishments during past few years; what works effectively; and emphasize the need for more effective tools & techniques that could further enhance such science & educational programs.