BIO

Hello, my name is Brianna Long. I am a 3rd-year transfer student majoring in Exercise Physiology. I am originally from Chicago Illinois but grew up in Orlando, FL where I earned my associate degree in biology from Valencia College and was on the President’s List for the summer 2021 term. Through my studies, I hope to have a career in neuroscience and become a pediatric neurosurgeon.
While attending school at Florida State University I enjoy being a part of the Alliance for Black Women student organization and assisting with the Market Wednesday Committee. Outside of school, I enjoy working as a part-time real estate assistant and various customer service jobs including Dog sitting and walking.

Bridging the Gap into Geosciences for Underrepresented Pre-College Students: A perspective of How Hurricanes and Storm Surge Impact Coastal Areas

Abstract

Varying changes to environmental factors are known to occur when seasons change, however, in recent years these changes can be seen more frequently and are more drastic which as a result has caused researchers to begin researching these changes and how they affect humans. These researchers are known as geoscientists who study Earth in a variety of different aspects such as its organization, structure, and physical properties and try to tie their results together to understand the Earth in both the past and present day. However, there have been notable gaps in the overall understanding of information in the geoscience field which can be accredited to the lack of diversity and race representation within the geoscience field. Prior research has shown that this can be ascribed to 2 main problem areas: lack of awareness within the general public, and more importantly veterans within the geoscience field are lacking to stimulate interest in the Geosciences among newer generations. This study aims to Bridge the Gap in the Geosciences for underrepresented pre-college students by creating a geoscience-themed summer camp program that is concentrated on the environmental challenges that exist and affect sea levels, coastal management, groundwater, and the karst aquifer and how these changes affect humans neurologically. This study can be proven prosperous in the efforts of diversifying the geoscience field as well as bringing awareness to important effects that the environment has on the human mind neurologically due to the hands-on nature of the activities within the program.

Keywords: Geoscience, Coastal Management, Hurricanes