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City Tech Students Take Part in Research Expedition to Mexico
Three New York City College of Technology science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students – Renee Clarke, Kashif Hoyte and Javier Joya – were part of a research expedition to San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, in summer 2008. The students worked with Dr. Oscar Carranza Castaneda, principal investigator of the Mexican Megafauna project and researcher from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Dr. Castaneda is a paleontologist currently working to establish when in antiquity Panama arose from the sea to connect North and South America. His research looks at migration patterns and fossil remains to identify significant evolutionary timeframes. Dr. Castaneda is one of a team of scientists working with Earthwatch, an international organization that’s helping to bring science to life for people concerned about Earth’s future.
Students Clarke, Hoyte and Joya learned not only the tools of paleontological excavation, but a great deal about the Mexican culture and about themselves as young scientists. Professor Joni Schwartz, who serves as coordinator for City Tech’s Black Male Initiative (BMI) project, coordinated the students’ participation in the Mexican project. In late September, the three students made a full presentation on their research to an enthusiastic on-campus audience. Those interested in learning all about the three STEM students’ Mexican adventure, are invited to read their collaborative report at Earthwatch Research Report.
“In genre and style,” writes Professor Schwartz in the paper’s introduction, “this report is perhaps more journalistic than scientific in nature but captures the science and human learning experiences of these young scientists. Combining journaling, expository and descriptive writing, Renee, Kashif and Javier reflect on and review their research experience. The aim in this report was to experience and understand research fieldwork, develop research language, look at methodology and tools as well as observe socio-cultural diversity.
“As in any authentic learning experience,” Professor Schwartz later added, “these young researchers attempted to communicate how they are changing and growing as scientists and scholars. The writing process itself was laborious and difficult for them. Learning to summarize, clarify and communicate their experience proved a challenge. In addition, the challenge of drafting, revising and editing the report and working collaboratively added another dimension of difficulty.”
But the three students met these challenges and met them admirably. Their report holds the reader’s attention from start to finish and captures in bold relief their amazing journey into the world of scientific research.All BMI programs and activities are open to any academically eligible student, faculty or staff member, without regard to race, gender, national origin or other demographics. Any City Tech STEM student interested in future BMI/Earthwatch research initiatives is invited to contact Professor Schwartz at 718.269.4010 or BMI office assistant Sonia Johnson at sjohnson@citytech.cuny.edu for additional information.
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