Breakout Session II

Friday, February 11, 10:00 - 10:45 AM

To join a session, click on the Join Session Link for the session for which you are presenting or would like to attend.

Session 2-A

An Analysis of Octocoral Morphology Distribution near Tobacco Caye, Belize
Luke Stoeber, Samantha O'Keefe, Jacksonville University

The abundance of gorgonian octocorals has been correlated with fish abundance on artificial reef systems and enhances the three-dimensional structure of benthic ecosystems. Along the Belizean Barrier Reef, gorgonians are abundant in two main morphological types: fan-like and rod-like. The objective of this project was to analyze the distribution of fan and rod-like octocorals in different reef regions near Tobacco Caye. A secondary objective was to analyze potential relationships between each morphology type and depth.

Young Environmental Scientists
David Baldwin, Florida Atlantic University

The Florida Environmental Restoration and Research Network (FERRN) is a youth lead environmental research network that focuses on terrestrial ecology, marine science, public health, education, and economics. Currently, our 35 scientists perform theoretical and experimental research, as well as hands-on activism and outreach for environmental justice and sustainability: all led by extremely intelligent and passionate undergraduate students.

Don’t Fix What You Can’t Mix
Eliane Morales, Xavier Marchan, Ashley Chavez, Miami Dade College

Don’t Mix What You Can't Fix is an inspiring movement that opened multiple eyes to the issues surrounding plastic pollution in our oceans. Our group’s purpose for creating this project is to find out how plastic pollution is affecting our oceans marine life and indirectly affecting humans as well. We ended up creating a presentation that showcased all of our research to better educate our peers on how impactful this problem is.

Session 2-B

Improving Post-Pandemic Honors Student Success with Pre-Freshmen Summer Academic Programming
Eric Hoffman, Virginia Fuillerat, Magda Castineyra, Joleen Cooper, Miami Dade College

First year academic based retention is a notable concern for many honors colleges and programs. This research examines the effectiveness of accepted pre-freshmen honors students non-credit summer programming that boost competencies in math, science, & writing, and improves overall preparation for college. Retention, GPA, individual course success, student confidence, and other variables are examined through surveys and experimental versus control group comparisons. Recommendations and future research are examined.

College Engagement, Grief Symptom Severity, and Resilience in Bereaved Students During COVID-19
Leah Basaria, Valencia College

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the college routine of every student between 2020-2021. The continuously fluctuating death rates during this period have led to the onset of increasing diagnoses of mental disorders among college students. This study indicated a significant positive relationship between college engagement and resilience and a negative correlation between resilience and grief symptom severity. More effective advertising of inclusive campus club, organization, and event opportunities for college students is of utmost importance.

Adapting to Unforeseen Changes
Hayden Turner, Seminole State College of Florida

Education during the COVID-19 pandemic faced major setbacks due to the absence of schools in session, and it became vastly different. Students were challenged with learning in ways never done before. Younger students especially were drastically affected and not able to learn efficiently and that created many other difficulties for teachers and parents to keep track of their own lives and their children’s lives. The partial conclusion of the pandemic has allowed students to catch back up to pace.

Session 2-C

Promoting Academics and Good Citizenry through Ethics Bowl
Ann Thebaut, Jason Frank, Ronald Claypool, Sante Fe College

Santa Fe College’s Ethics Bowl program helps students see themselves as members of the academic community and has provided some with an alternate path to the SF Honors Program. In keeping with the open access ethos of a community college, students are invited to participate regardless of major, academic plans, or GPA. Ethics Bowl training and competition promotes rigorous research, critical thinking, civil discourse, and teamwork through the analysis of ethically fraught case studies.

Educational Equity Program
Lara Boerth-Dryden, Warren Yee, Bernard Harrigan, Florida Atlantic University

This project articulates a business plan for the Educational Equity Program and its potential implementation at the Honors College of FAU. The Educational Equity Program would provide infrastructure within FAU for neurodivergent students to help them succeed and grow into their potential as intellectuals. Mentorship, social services, academic resources, and opportunities to develop essential life skills will be offered. Results engendered by these resources will facilitate the creation of a curriculum based on educational equity.

How to Think About Fairness
Emma Leonardo Solorzano, Florida Atlantic University

This presentation will explore John Rawl's Theory of Justice in the context of the 20th Century world. Furthermore, it will consider the principles of fairness and unfairness, how we may identify unfairness, and what to do about it in the modern world. Audiences will undertake Rawl's thought experiment of the 'Veil of Ignorance' and take newfound perspectives and apply them to various scales, from local to universal.