EJSLA
ACTIVITIES
Our Recent Activities
Discover exciting news and events happening within EJSLA, along with stories highlighting the experiences of our students and the impact they are making in their community.
From hands-on science workshops to thought-provoking discussions on environmental justice, there’s something interesting to uncover through our student's stories. Join us in these enriching experiences, connect with like-minded individuals and be a part of our vibrant community.
Launch/Kick-Off
The Environmental Justice STEMM Leadership Academy (EJSLA) kicked off in January 2023 at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Gulf Park campus. Students were introduced to the purpose and goals of the EJSLA and played a Kahoot! to introduce them to environmental justice issues along the Mississippi Gulf coast. Students then participated in a scavenger hunt on the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) campus meant to introduce them to the effects of climate change over time. They used infrared thermometers to take and record temperature readings of historic, climate change-impacted locations on campus as a foretaste of what they would be investigating over the course of the Spring Environmental Justice STEMM Leadership Academy (EJSLA) term.
Spring Wrap-Up
EJSLA students wrapped up the Spring 2023 term at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus. Students began the event by sharing what they learned in the Academy over the spring term. They went outside for a brief lecture on phenology on the Bear Point Bayou bridge and then planted a Bay Magnolia tree at the USM phenology site, which is part of the larger Gulf Coast Phenology Trail. Their tree will serve as a reminder of the first term of EJSLA but is also a focal species in our region that can give scientists a better idea of how climate change impacts the MS Gulf Coast region. Finally, students received an award and stipend for participating and engaging in the Environmental Justice STEMM Leadership Academy (EJSLA).
Fall Wrap-Up
The EJSLA wrapped up the Fall 2023 term at the USM Gulf Park campus. At the wrap up event, students discussed what they learned over the course of the Fall term. They received their awards and stipends for participation in the EJSLA, and special recognition was given to three students from each Club for outstanding participation and engagement. Afterward, students worked on a collage that showcased their successes and memorable ideas from the Fall EJSLA term. They also investigated what remained from a Boys & Girls Club of the Gulf Coast (BGCGC) campus garbage worm compost activity that they began a week prior. In this activity, students collected garbage from their BGCGC campus site and made hypotheses about whether or not the garbage could be broken down by composting red worms.
Our Speakers
EJSLA consistently hosts engaging speakers who deliver enlightening lectures for our middle and high school students. We have the privilege of welcoming experts from diverse fields who generously share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our eager learners. Notable speakers in our lineup have included Marsha Jackson, Dr. Evelyn L. Parker, Michael McKenzie, Katherine Egland, and Qiyahah Williams.
So, all science starts with observation. So, I would start with looking around your neighborhood. Your environment, you know. Take some note of how it behaves. What's the environment look like when it's raining, when it's stormy, you know? If there's a stretch of the water that you like to go visit, or some land next to the water that you like to go visit, you know, how does it change it from day to day? And usually, that's where you start to see like, oh, I noticed that there's a problem, like, there's not a lot of birds here in this one part, or like, when it comes to sea level rise you could even notice like, Oh, today the water is a lot higher than it was 2 days ago. And so, all of science starts with observing the world around you.
Qiyamah Williams, Community Resilience Specialist, PLACESLR
Past Guest Speaker
Dr. Daniel R. Evans, Research Biologist and Sea Turtle Grants Program Administrator, https://conserveturtles.org/.
Dan is responsible for the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s (STC) educational activities, public presentations, and organizing volunteers to help with STC’s sea turtle monitoring research programs. He is also the principal investigator on STC’s sea turtle tracking research program.
Dr. Evans talked about the five different types of sea turtles found in the Southeast United States. He discussed their size and other physical characteristics, their role in the ecosystem, nesting patterns, and their vulnerability. He explained how climate change is impacting sea turtle hatching success and overall ratio of sex of turtles. Finally, he discussed different ways his organization is working on sea turtle conservation and what we can do to help improve sea turtle lives.
Past Guest Speaker
Qiyamah Williams, Community Resilience Specialist, Program for Local Adaptation to Climate Effects: Sea Level Rise (PLACESLR), https://placeslr.org/.
Qiyamah is a Community Resilience Specialist with PLACE: SLR and an Extension Associate with Mississippi State University. Her work focuses on sea level rise resilience and coastal community engagement throughout the Gulf area. Before this position, Qiyamah worked in locations such as Hawaii and Massachusetts concentrating on local marine conservation issues in coastal communities. She received a B.S. in Marine Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and a M.S. in Marine Biology from Northeastern University.
Qiyamah talked about how she got interested in marine science, some of her favorite things about the ocean, and some of what she works on in her current role: sea level rise and flooding on our coast. She showed examples of how the ocean affects us and how we affect the ocean. She talked to them about community resiliency, community science, and using tools to see how some communities are more impacted than others. She gave relevant examples of things that the students can do to reduce human impact on the ocean and do what they can to keep the ocean healthy. She also introduced the students to the Black in Marine Science (BIMS) organization.
And then, what are some of the things that anybody can do [for sea turtles], no matter where they are, even if they’re not on a nesting beach…? The old adage, Reduce, reuse, recycle. So, you know, try to reduce the amount of plastics–plastics are a big issue in our oceans that are impacting a wide variety of animals– reusable grocery bags, or just even reusing the plastic bags. If you get a plastic bag, use it as a, you know, trash liner, or use it again, and for carrying something else, or doing something else, sort of reusing and repurposing different things…The less plastic we can use, the better off we all are. And things around the house, you know, that just in general help–So, making sure if you leave a room, and there's nobody else in it using it, you turn off the light. No, we really go for those really hot showers, even though they do feel good on a cold day, you know. Try to use less hot water. Take shorter showers. Changing light bulbs or, you know, trying to change or switch from incandescent lights to compact fluorescence or LEDs can make a big difference.
Dr. Daniel R. Evans, Research Biologist and Sea Turtle Grants Program Administrator
STUDENT'S CORNER
ARTICLES COMING SOON!
Welcome to 'Students' Corner,' a vibrant blog showcasing the insightful articles crafted by the talented students of the Environmental Justice STEMM Leadership Academy. Dive into the inspiring narratives penned by these young minds as they share their experiences within this community-driven program. Focused on the intersections of science, environmental justice, equity, and social justice, the blog serves as a platform for these budding leaders to articulate their perspectives, challenges, and triumphs. From hands-on scientific endeavors to community engagement initiatives, 'Students' Corner' offers a unique glimpse into the transformative journey of these students as they navigate the realms of academia and activism, contributing to a more sustainable and just future.