EELS Team (Evaluating Estuary Lateral Species)

Launched in 2023, the EELS Team program gives Yonkers high school students the opportunity to train, receive college credit, and be employed at CURB in an internship focused on investigating Hudson River ecology via seining, migratory eel monitoring, eDNA analysis, and water chemistry data.  

Applications open in March 

Tier 1: The Hudson River Ecology Course
The EELS Team program begins with 10 students completing the summer Hudson River Ecology Course, and receiving 1 transferable college credit from Sarah Lawrence College. Tuition for this course is waived for EEL Team students. 

Tier 2: The EELS Team 
The 10 students then return in the fall and spring to complete a 13-week paid after school internship focused on river ecology research and building STEM and career readiness skills. Their research includes monitoring fish and migratory eels by net and by environmental DNA extraction. The students gain valuable field ecology and lab experience utilizing cutting edge eDNA detection methods, as well as data entry, management, and analytical skills. In addition to their research the program includes workshops on green careers, resume building, public speaking and science communication, and data analysis and visualization with Excel.  

To culminate their experience the students plan a community event at CURB in the spring to share their research and practice their science communication skills. Additional field trip opportunities may be available to other regional environmental centers. 

Tier 3: EELS Team Mentorship
One EELS Team alum is given the opportunity to return the following year for a paid mentorship position, guiding the EELS Team in all aspects of their work. A Sarah Lawrence College intern also helps with the program.  

For questions contact: ctobitsch@sarahlawrence.edu