Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Alice Introduction

Hi my name is Alice Li. I am a rising senior at West Haven High School. This summer, I will be involved in the Environmental Leadership Internship Program. This is a great opportunity for me as I have always been interested in the science field from a really young age. I am particularly interested in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Recently, I learned about how much of an impact environment has on human health. There has been research that indicates a connection of what we are exposed to, such as harmful chemicals and carcinogens, and how our body responds to it. By studying the environment, these environmental-based diseases can be prevented and we can help produce a health-supportive community.

This summer, we are working on a project that tackles every aspect and disciplinary of environmental science. We are analyzing to see the correlation of mercury levels to the location in relation to power plants. Last year, a group of students found that mercury level is highest in locations closest to the power plants. This year, we are confirming the data found last year and we are going to further the study by analyzing the effect of mercury on marine life, particularly the fish. This is a huge issue today because it involves environmental justice. I was just reading an article about the concentration of power plants in minority and poor areas. The accumulation of mercury will lead to severe consequences such as disease and cancers which will affect more minorities than whites. Environmental science is a subject that should definitely be investigated and studied more, especially since it affects me and all the people around me worldwide. In the past, I never knew how important of a role environment plays in human health. In the future, I want to be able to investigate more environmental factors and prevent diseases. 

Aisha Sharhan (Lynne Bonnett)

Hi, my name is Aisha Sharhan and i am a raising senior at Co-op high school.

Lynne Bonnett article

  •  fair haven communities with latino, black and immigrant residents cast fishing lines along the river downstream from the power plant.
  • People of color are disproportionately harmed by neglected environmental issues. 
  • Blacks and latinos are more likely than whites to live dangerously close to environmental hazards.
  • While majority white, middle- income and wealthy communities enjoy relative insulation from the risks of living near hazardous facilities, a lack of political representation on environmental issues makes it more difficult for racial minorities in poorer neighborhoods to combat injustices
  • how it doesn't matter what state you live in the least percentage of the population to live in chemically hazardous zones are whites.

Introducing Me!

Ashley Ceravone
Environmental Leaders
May 24th, 2016

To introduce myself: my name is Ashley Ceravone, I am a rising senior at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School in New Haven Connecticut, and I am enrolled in the Evolutions Program at the Peabody Museum.  But, more importantly, I recently joined the Environmental Leaders internship for this summer with the Peabody.

When I joined EVO, I honestly had no interest in any science career.  Being a sophomore at a completely new school, (I had started my freshman year at Derby High School and got enrolled to attend Co-op my sophomore year) I had no idea what I wanted my future to look like.  Being immersed into a science based program that provided excellent resources (not to brag, but EVO's pretty amazing) guided me into an internship that just may lead me into a possible career.

When I found out about the Environmental Leaders internship, it immediately sparked my interest.  Not only over the course of my EVO years have I grown an interest to the topic, but, once I found out the interdisciplinary aspect of the research that involves politics, I knew this was right up my alley.

I have always been aware of social inequality; and taking an American Politics and Government AP class this year helped me narrow down my career path in politics.  But, what I never knew could have a correlation to politics is Environmental Science.  Not only am I grateful for my internship opportunity EVO has given me, I am excited to bring a topic that I love and a topic I am relatively new to, together to conduct research that can have an impact on not only my life, but the community in which I live in.