Bronx Community College to Receive $300,000 Grant from NASA

The grant from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will fund a two-year science program.

By Brigitt Earley August 17, 2018

Bronx Community College (BCC) is the latest recipient of an award from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that will provide $300,000 to fund a two-year program that will contribute to the training and development of the future workforce of NASA and other high-tech employers.

A collaboration with Medgar Evers College, the grant is designed to provide innovative and hands-on science workshops, field activities, and mentoring programs to area middle and high school students. The program also will provide research opportunities for two Bronx Community College students each year.

As part of the program, BCC and Medgar Evers College will also train middle school and high school teachers to teach STEM disciplines using NASA Planetary Modeling Platforms and geospatial technology, a fast-growing field that turns data from satellites into information-rich maps for smartphones, smartwatches, and smart televisions.

Bronx Community College was one of only five community colleges in the nation selected for the award given by NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project.

“Bronx Community College is gratified by NASA’s confidence in our mission to turn today’s STEM students into tomorrow’s science and engineering professionals,” says BCC President Thomas A. Isekenegbe, “And to create a workforce built on the strength of America’s diversity.”

Dr. Sunil Bhaskaran, director of the College’s innovative Geospatial Center of the CUNY Crest Institute, will run the program at Bronx Community College.