SUNY ESF Summer Science Corps Expands Environmental Learning Opportunities for Local Youth

Third-year program connects K-12 students with environmental science, local ecology, and STEM career pathways through community partnerships across Central New York

07/14/2026

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — July 14, 2026 — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is preparing for another summer of hands-on environmental education as its Summer Science Corps (SSC) program enters its third year, connecting elementary, middle, and high school students throughout Central New York with environmental science, local ecology, and career opportunities in STEM fields. Through partnerships with schools, libraries, parks, and community organizations, the program delivers weeklong learning experiences that inspire curiosity, exploration, and environmental stewardship while introducing young people to the possibilities of higher education and environmental careers.

This summer, SSC will offer weeklong programs in partnership with Nottingham High School, Maxwell Memorial Library, Lysander Town Park, and Cazenovia Public Library. Additional collaborations include PEACE, Inc.'s Let Me Be Great summer program, Cayuga Museum of History and Art's CASE Camp, Redhouse Arts Center's Summer Academy, and other community partners.

"At ESF, we know that inspiring a passion for science and the environment starts long before students step onto a college campus," said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. "Summer Science Corps creates meaningful opportunities for young people to explore the natural world, engage with scientific concepts in a hands-on way, and begin imagining how they can make a difference in their communities and beyond. Just as importantly, the program showcases the power of partnerships between higher education institutions and community organizations to expand access to learning experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. We are proud of the ESF students who serve as role models and mentors through this program, and we are deeply grateful to our community partners for helping us inspire the next generation of environmental leaders, scientists, educators, and changemakers."

Summer Science Corps is powered by ESF students representing a wide range of academic disciplines and interests. Each June, student employees are hired and trained through the College's K-12 Outreach program to design and deliver engaging curricula that reflect their academic passions, ESF's mission and values, and the unique ecological features of the region.

"I'm thrilled to begin our third year of programming," said Olivia Whitmarsh, ESF's K-12 Outreach coordinator. "Summer Science Corps has been an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved. Getting to see local youth explore STEM fields, discover environmental career pathways, and become empowered to make a difference in their communities is the best part of our summer. The program also creates valuable professional development opportunities for our student facilitators, who build leadership, teamwork, communication, and outreach skills that serve them well beyond their time at ESF. One of our first program facilitators is now working at Lysander Town Park and invited Summer Science Corps to collaborate there this year. Working alongside a former student employee as a professional colleague demonstrates the lasting impact of these experiences and the many ways ESF students carry their skills into successful careers after graduation."

The Summer Science Corps program is part of ESF's broader commitment to community engagement, environmental education, and creating pathways into higher education and environmental careers for students across New York State.

For more information about Summer Science Corps or other K-12 Outreach programs at ESF, contact Olivia Whitmarsh, K-12 outreach coordinator, at [email protected], or Dan Collins, associate director of K-12 Outreach and ESF High School programs, at [email protected].

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.