• Veggie Lab Tour | Kennedy Space Center (March 2024)
• Shark Ecology Field Research | The Field School (March 2024)
• Marine Biodiversity Cataloging | Ransom Everglades Upper School (November 2023)
• The Volunteer Fish Survey Project | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (November 2023)
• Coral Reef Science and Restoration | Coral Restoration Foundation (October 2023)
• Shark Ecology Field Research | The Field School (June 2023)
• Stormwater Drainage Master Plan | North Bay Village Commissioner Rachel Streitfeld (July 2022)
• Beach Hammock Ecology Restoration | Miami Waterkeeper (December 2021)
• Sustainable Urban Gardening (November 2021)

My younger brother - Jaral Arroyo-Jefferson - and I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida - a tour of a lifetime for two students aspiring to careers working at NASA.

This unique and rare behind-the-scenes experience was made possible at the request of our mentor, retired NASA Astronaut and NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr., who coordinated with members of KSC’s Guest Service team to arrange a fantastic, day-long tour guided by our assigned NASA Docent, Mark Poff, to multiple areas throughout the Center, which included the Plant Production Area (PPA), the Swamp Works facility, the KSC Launch and Landing Facility, the Vehicle Assembly Building, and the Launch Complex 39.

Our first stop was the PPA at the Space Systems Processing Facility. I was honored to have the chance to meet my personal role model and inspiration, Dr. Gioia Massa, NASA Senior Life Sciences Project Scientist and Veggie Lab Project Lead.

Dr. Massa walked us through the PPA laboratory and explained the vital work her team is conducting in the area of growing various food sources in space. I had the incredible opportunity to discuss in detail the latest advancements and research on controlled-environment agriculture. The work of Dr. Massa is the reason why I aspire to be a NASA Space Farmer.

Read about all the details of my tour of the Kennedy Space Center:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamora-arroyo-jefferson_nasa-space-stemcareers-activity-7184178849125933057-9Vyi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

To learn more about the Veggie Lab, visit the link below:

https://www.nasa.gov/exploration-research-and-technology/growing-plants-in-space/

- BACK TO TOP -

The Field School is committed to science-based conservation and public engagement with research. All of their field expeditions contribute to ongoing marine science research, and the participants are active in the collection of critical scientific data that can help improve shark conservation and management.

The Ransom Everglades students enrolled in the "Biology and Ecology of Sharks" course spent time with The Field School team aboard the Research Vessel Gavin in Biscayne Bay, helping to advance the science of shark biology, ecology, and conservation. The students learned about shark handling and workup procedures and then assisted in collecting vital data on a wide variety of shark species in our local waters.

Read about the Ransom Everglades Marine Science Programs:

https://www.ransomeverglades.org/academics/signature-programs/marine-science-programs 

To learn more about The Field School, visit the link below:

https://www.getintothefield.com/

- BACK TO TOP -

"Marine Field Research" is an interdisciplinary, hands-on research course that combines the physical waterfront location of Ransom Everglades and the marine research expertise of the science faculty. Through unique, signature field research experiences, students immerse themselves in the natural environment of our campus, Biscayne Bay, nearby coral reefs and South Florida by learning to plan and conduct fieldwork, collect and analyze data, and present their research. Students are exposed to field research techniques spanning topics in marine biology, marine geology and oceanography. Students also learn to scuba dive and earn their PADI Open Water Diver certification during the course.

During one of our many class field trips, we went to a nearby island in Biscayne Bay to survey and catalog the local marine biodiversity.

To learn more about the Ransom Everglades Marine Science Programs, visit the link below:

https://www.ransomeverglades.org/academics/signature-programs/marine-science-programs

- BACK TO TOP -

Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), founded in 1990 and based in Key Largo, Florida, is an international marine conservation organization that implements hands-on programs to involve local communities in conservation-focused activities to achieve a healthier ocean.

REEF protects marine life through education, service, and research by facilitating programs that actively engage divers, snorkelers and other marine enthusiasts in marine conservation. This is primarily accomplished through the Volunteer Fish Survey Project, which was launched in 1993 and has generated one of the largest marine life databases in the world. In 2020, the database surpassed 250,000 surveys conducted at almost 15,000 sites throughout the world’s oceans by over 16,000 volunteer divers and snorkelers worldwide.

The project allows volunteer scuba divers and snorkelers to collect and report information on marine fish populations, making significant contributions to help keep our reefs healthy.

The students in the Ransom Everglades "Marine Field Research" course participated in an extensive training workshop with REEF staff members for a two-tank dive trip off the waters of Key Largo to conduct the Volunteer Fish Survey Project.

Read about the Ransom Everglades Marine Science Programs:

https://www.ransomeverglades.org/academics/signature-programs/marine-science-programs 

To learn more about REEF, visit the link below:

https://www.reef.org/

- BACK TO TOP -

Coral Restoration Foundation is a science-centered organization at the forefront of the world’s coral restoration community with research and innovation driving its cutting-edge restoration techniques. Their proprietary use of Coral Trees is one such example. Tethered to the ocean floor and buoyed with a subsurface float, coral fragments are hung from the branches of the tree using monofilament line. Each tree can hold up to 100 coral fragments, though normally 60 are hung to give each fragment space to grow.

There are seven offshore Coral Tree Nurseries in South Florida, from Carysfort Reef to Key West, that are home to 11 different coral species. After these colonies reach a substantial size, they are taken to a carefully selected reef restoration site where they are attached directly to the reef. Since 2012, the Coral Restoration Foundation has outplanted more than 220,000 corals out onto Florida's Coral Reef, restoring more than 34,000 square meters of habitat.

After receiving detailed instruction during a training workshop with Coral Restoration Foundation staff, students in the Ransom Everglades "Marine Field Research" course participated in a two-tank dive to help monitor and clean the Coral Trees at the Craysfort Reef site located off the coastline of Key Largo.

Read about the Ransom Everglades Marine Science Programs:

https://www.ransomeverglades.org/academics/signature-programs/marine-science-programs 

To learn more about the Coral Restoration Foundation, visit the link below:

https://www.coralrestoration.org/

- BACK TO TOP -

The Miami Waterkeeper Junior Ambassador Program (JA) is a year-long, no-cost program that develops a cohort of high school students into young environmental leaders. Through this program, South Florida students become community leaders by gaining an understanding of issues impacting Biscayne Bay and the surrounding watershed. JA members receive training in civic engagement and advocacy, share their acquired knowledge with diverse audiences and help to organize interactive volunteer events.

This program helps students become versed in the complex relationship between social, environmental, governmental and economic issues that are central to cultivating a culture of environmental awareness and advocacy in South Florida.

The JA members had the opportunity to spend time with The Field School, an organization committed to science-based conservation and public engagement with research. All of their field expeditions contribute to ongoing marine science research whereby participants actively engage in the collection of critical scientific data that can help improve shark conservation and management.

While aboard the Research Vessel Gavin, JA members joined The Field School team and learned about shark handling and workup procedures and then assisted in a day-long trip of collecting data on a wide variety of shark species in the local waters of Biscayne Bay.

Read about the Miami Waterkeeper Junior Ambassador Program:

https://www.miamiwaterkeeper.org/junior_ambassador  

To learn more about The Field School, visit the link below:

https://www.getintothefield.com/

- BACK TO TOP -

Commissioner Rachel Streitfeld, a passionate advocate for the residents of North Bay Village, was born and raised in South Florida and grew up in a household where public service and civic engagement were strong themes. She is an attorney practicing law in the areas of land use, zoning, the environment, local government and climate adaptation.

Commissioner Streitfeld offered me a semester-long internship opportunity to join her staff. In my role, I was tasked with conducting research on current local and state regulations for stormwater drainage into North Biscayne Bay. This research helped Commissioner Streitfeld craft legislation and policies to improve the oversight of drainage pollution in North Bay Village as well as protect South Florida waterways.

To learn more about the Office of North Bay Village Commission, visit the link below:

https://northbayvillage-fl.gov/commission/

- BACK TO TOP -

The Miami Waterkeeper Junior Ambassador Program (JA) is a year-long, no-cost program that develops a cohort of high school students into young environmental leaders. Through this program, South Florida students become community leaders by gaining an understanding of issues impacting Biscayne Bay and the surrounding watershed. JA members receive training in civic engagement and advocacy, share their acquired knowledge with diverse audiences and help to organize interactive volunteer events.

This program helps students become versed in the complex relationship between social, environmental, governmental and economic issues that are central to cultivating a culture of environmental awareness and advocacy in South Florida.

The JA members had the opportunity to conduct vital research and provide important hands-on effort in preserving the Virginia Key hammock ecology, which is rich with biodiversity and includes a variety of habitats, such as mangrove wetlands, hardwood hammocks and beaches. Miami Waterkeeper JA members, along with community volunteers, were tasked with surveying the Virginia Key hammock and recording the condition of the beachfront habitat. In addition to researching the health of the hammock, JA members spent the day identifying and removing invasive plant species throughout the hammock.

To learn more about the Miami Waterkeeper Junior Ambassador Program, visit the link below:

https://www.miamiwaterkeeper.org/junior_ambassador 

- BACK TO TOP -

I love gardening and have done so since I was in elementary school. Throughout my childhood, I have fond memories of my family having all types of plants inside and outside of our home. Now that I am older, my love for gardening has evolved into a passion for sustainable agriculture.

During the Winter Recess of my sophomore year in high school (2021), I wanted to try my hand at urban gardening. I decided to build a small outdoor raised garden bed and grow herbs and vegetables. My parents purchased all the needed supplies as well as helped me throughout the endeavor. My father - who taught me how to build things from the time I was young - helped me with constructing the bed frame and my mother - who inspired my interest in gardening - assisted me with lining the interior of the bed and preparing the herb and vegetable plants.

Over the years, managing and maintaining my urban garden has given me an excellent opportunity to field test the information I have researched and learned about best practices for environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, my hard work has continuously provided my family with an abundance of healthy, deliciously fresh herbs and vegetables.

- BACK TO TOP -