Environmentor

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.

The summer 2026 application portal for Environmentor is now open!

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

Dates:  June through mid-August 2026
Location:  RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692
Class Days and Times: Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All students who submit an application will be required to attend an in-person group interview in May 2026.

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

Program Expectations

• As a prerequisite for Environmentor, students who attended Shore Corps in the fall and spring will be prioritized.
• Students take part in orientations and workshops in June, participate four days a week for six weeks in July and August, and work with science mentors on individual research projects. Students also learn water safety, CPR training, kayaking, biking, and surfing.
• 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 RISE at programs@riserockaway.org.

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

Below are research projects that Environmentor students worked on in past summers.