In 2024, PhD student Daniel Yahalomi and a dedicated team from Columbia’s Department of Astronomy launched the Columbia Student Training in Astronomy Research (STAR) Mentoring Program to bridge the gap in astronomy education for underserved students in New York City. Rooted in mentorship and community impact, the program offers paid research opportunities to high school students from Columbia Secondary School, engaging them in cutting-edge projects on topics ranging from lunar impact rates to exoplanet orbits. Inspired by similar initiatives Yahalomi participated in at Harvard, Columbia STAR aims to provide transformative learning experiences for students who may not otherwise have access to research in STEM fields. The program’s first year saw remarkable success, with all ten students completing projects and several contributing to forthcoming scientific publications. Supported by the Pinkerton Foundation, the American Astronomical Society’s Osterbrock Leadership Program, and Columbia’s Department of Astronomy, STAR continues to grow, expanding access to science education and fostering the next generation of astronomers.
Read more in the Columbia News article posted here.
