Breakout Session I

Session 1-A

Global Leadership
Audrey Nyaning, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

In the Global Leadership honors course, two aspects are central: the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and collaboration between the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) students and the Hillsborough Community College in Tampa (HCC).Adapting to the Covid-19 circumstances and organizing an annual (this time online) Knowledge Café in January 2021 aims to bring the insights of all teams to the surface in a new way. The Global Leadership Magazine is a tangible and creative final product with students’ contributions regarding sustainability issues researched through the course and discussed in the Knowledge Café. Join this presentation if you are curious about how to run an international Knowledge Café or how to create a Global Leadership Magazine!

Know Thy Virtual Self
Hannah Smith, Paans Alicia, Solana Bailey, Matthew Tertan, Robert Fleischmann,
Tallahassee Community College

With the direct assistance of a Fortune 500 company, the Honors humanities class, prompted by the popularity of gamification strategies in modern business for training, formed a team corporation focused on integrating humanities skillsets needed in the growing virtual world for future success and growth. In partnership, the business shared needs for growth, for which the class developed a humanities-based training system, focusing how observation and analysis of the past can be used in the present to promote success.

Session 1-B

Democracy Coupons
Aubrie Gibbons, Florida Atlantic University

Doubtlessly, the world is watching the development of the United States. As a major superpower, the political course that the US takes has serious implications on other nations. The book They Don't Represent Us analyzes and proposes solutions to numerous issues regarding the US democratic republic; specifically, voter suppression, gerrymandering, winner-take-all electoral methods, and inappropriate campaign funding. In my analysis, I will focus on the book's proposed solution to inappropriate campaign funding: democracy coupons.

The “Voter Fraud” Dilemma
Jaylene Kennedy, Florida Atlantic University

As we know it, the notion of voter fraud has been apparent in recent elections. Voter fraud has been characterized as a threat to the democracy of our nation and I would like to argue that it’s not a threat, but a tactic to purge the votes. The use of false claims of voter fraud as a means to purge voters and enshrine minority rule are backed with no basis in reality with no evidence of widespread fraud.

Pandemic-Style Civic Engagement
Blake Wolanin, Florida Institute of Technology

In my role as Pomfret, CT, Zoom meeting manager, I coordinated and hosted all municipal meetings for the town during the pandemic. My presentation focuses on the pivot in community engagement in Pomfret, CT, to Zoom during the coronavirus pandemic, highlighting lessons learned shifting local government to an online format and application to students interested in pursuing community service. I describe my newfound political involvement and path to becoming a Justice of the Peace.

Session 1-C

Adaptation in the Face of Career Disruption
Meghan Bowman, Hillsborough Community College

For almost 20 years I had the chance to live my dream job as a professional in the dance field as a choreographer, performer, and adjudicator. In March of this year, a global pandemic hit and devastated the arts community. All opportunities I had were disrupted forcing a change in my career path. Ironically, dance is now leading me to a degree in communication and an exciting new career path.

Disrupting Barriers to Well Being Through Adaptation
Molly Menchen, Mariana Perdomo, Hillsborough Community College

As a result of the pandemic, areas of our college became severely underfunded or nonexistent which further contributed to the decrease of support for low-income individuals thus severely affecting the academic success of many. Our comprehensive proposal to connect students to sexual and reproductive health resources will increase the general well-being of students thus impacting academic performance through the connection of public benefits and social services.

The Myth of Poetry
Zoey Mazur, Florida Atlantic University

Poetry has a reputation for being difficult to understand, and most are only exposed to it in an academic setting as a mandatory assignment. Despite these obstacles, poetry has been proven to be an effective agent to reduce stress and facilitate positive self-feelings. My presentation will discuss the positive effects of poetry for writers of all levels and how to start writing for oneself as a form of self-care.

Session 1-D

A Martian Mystery: Seasonal Ices in the Korolev Crater
Brian Murphy, Florida Institute of Technology

As this century’s space race gears up, with its sights set on Mars, it’s crucial to fully understand the Martian water cycle and its notable seasonal variability. Through using the Mars Odyssey Orbiter, my research team investigated the Korolev Crater ice-sheet. We identified patterns in ice formation and located where and when pure or tainted ices are likely to deposit. By identifying these trends, we can pinpoint ideal times and locations for future ice harvests.

False Vacuum Decay in a Cosmological Context
Nico Braukman, Florida Institute of Technology

No disruption could be more total than a change in the very nature of a fundamental field of the Universe— an event known as false vacuum decay. This presentation gives a qualitative overview of false vacuum decay, with an emphasis on the cosmological implications of such an event. A vacuum decay-like phase transition is analyzed using C. Wainwright’s CosmoTransitions software package, illustrating the relationship between potential energy and the shape of the decaying bubble.

The Problem With Space Junk
Owen McNamara, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of FAU

Space exploration has been creating waste ever since the Sputnik launch in 1957. Each mission to space discards hundreds of tons of metal and other materials into a low earth orbit, creating potential hazards for future exploration. In order to sustain our current capabilities of space exploration, this space junk must be removed. In this presentation I will discuss current methods of removal, and what the future of these efforts will look like.

Session 1-E

Teaching Refugees Through Storytelling and Integration Strategies
Hayley Ross, University of North Florida

Since June 2020, I helped develop and taught the “The New American Speaker’s Program.” The program is run by the nonprofit, WeaveTales, and is designed to encourage refugees to share their stories by empowering them through public speaking. My research compiles the date set of survey responses and student engagement from the first cohort. The research looks at the pedagogical methods for ELLs and students with trauma, and methods of integration through storytelling.

Clothing Drive for Refugees
Kara Tetens, University of North Florida

People who face persecution or violence in their home country can apply to become a refugee to be sent to new country. This is a very challenging process and refugees have very few resources when they are relocated. Because of this, a clothing drive was created in order to collect donations for clothes and soccer items. These clothes allow people to acclimate to the new culture and climate and soccer is a great connection between their home country and their new country. Through this drive, refugees can feel a little more at home.

“What We Take With Us”
Marium Houraney, The Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University

Conflict, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other traumatic events have forced many groups of people to become uprooted from either their land or native traditions and having to adapt to a new reality. Often times, they take with them treasured folk arts and traditions that help them remember who they are, a symbol of identity. In this presentation, I would like to discuss a few different traditions, such as native beading and throat singing, and Palestinian embroidery, that became popular signs of hope, struggle, adaption, and identity.