At Brooklyn Tech, The Most Powerful Stories Come Full Circle: Dr. Michael Estrella ’04 is one of them
At Brooklyn Tech, the most powerful stories come full circle
Dr. Michael Estrella ’04 is one of them
At Brooklyn Tech, the most powerful stories come full circle
Dr. Michael Estrella ’04 is one of them
His journey back to Tech is remarkable. After earning his PhD in Biochemistry and completing postdoctoral training, he chose to return to the place where his own scientific path began. “I was able to become a teacher at my alma mater high school, Brooklyn Technical, and teach a research class along with 12th grade genetics. This opportunity, and my experience thus far, has been amazing. I especially enjoy facilitating students’ development and execution of research projects."
That transformation is fueled by alumni generosity. With the support of the Alumni Foundation’s Jeffrey M. Haitkin ’62 Faculty Grants Program, Dr. Estrella’s Genetics classroom has become a hub of project-based learning, where students perform hands-on molecular biology techniques like those used in contemporary research labs. Beyond awards and competitions, the impact is personal and lasting. Students discover academic passions. They choose college majors with confidence. They identify career paths in science and medicine. They earn scholarships to their dream schools. They see themselves not just as students, but as researchers.
It’s a wonderful sight to behold the remarkable transformation of kids going from students to leaders and researchers.”
Dr. Michael Estrella '04
Dr. Estrella’s story embodies the power of investing in Tech. A student becomes a scientist. A scientist returns as a teacher. A teacher mentors future innovators. Your gift makes this possible. It equips classrooms with the tools of modern research. It sustains programs like the Weston Research Scholars. It ensures that faculty like Dr. Estrella can continue transforming curiosity into discovery
How your support fuels hands-on learning
Since its founding, the Jeffrey M. Haitkin '62 Faculty Grants Program has invested more than $3 million in Brooklyn Tech classrooms, annually impacting nearly 6,000 students. The grant funds innovative academic, athletic, and extracurricular projects that enrich students' learning and spark achievement.
STEM pathways across Brooklyn
Each year, 2,600 students across eight Brooklyn middle schools benefit from the Brooklyn Tech Future World Vision STEM Pathways Consortium, an initiative that introduces young learners to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Of those students, 78% are Black or Hispanic/Latinx, and nearly half are female — groups historically underrepresented in STEM.
The program's reach extends beyond the classroom. More than 400 students, teachers, parents, and community leaders attend the annual conference, and more than 100 Brooklyn Tech students volunteer each year as mentors.
ALUMNI DONATIONS KEEP BROOKLYN TECH ON THE CUTTING EDGE
- In Niche 2026 rankings Brooklyn Tech ranked second Standout High School in New York
- Half of our 18 Tech majors equip students with professional certifications
- Forty-two Brooklyn Tech seniors have been named 2026 National Merit Scholarship Finalists
- Our National Society of Black Engineers Chapter became 2025 Chapter of the Year
- Our Science Olympiad ‘A’ team took home 1st place in several categories
of the 2026 Regional Competition, placing 2nd among 58 elite schools - Our Envirothon team is the two-time NYC Champion, 2024 and 2025
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HOW CAN YOU MAKE AN IMPACT?
Your gift will ensure that more students have access to research, mentorship, leadership opportunities, and hands-on learning that prepares them to lead.
A monthly gift is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to support Brooklyn Tech. Recurring gifts provide steady support for student programs, classroom innovation, and hands-on STEM opportunities.
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