Youth Summit USC Sea Grant Workshop Agenda
Introduction
Using science based research students are empowered to educate their community
The objectives of this workshop section are for students to recognize the importance of social
science research methods and how they can be utilized as tools to understand their
neighborhood and the needs of their communities, tell the stories of their communities through
student generated reporting. This is made possible by students learning the methods of survey
research and survey construction; gaining the skill necessary to conduct survey research
through fieldwork; then compute the data and interpreting the results. Additionally, students
will learn how the results can be utilized to change policies in order to reduce impacts on the
climate as well as to increase the adaptive capacity of communities to the hazards of climate
change. The Youth Summit Community Outreach program will be conducted in three phases
outlined below.
Phase I
Climate Change & Sea Level Rise Educations, Survey Research 101
Agenda
I.
Students Complete Community Outreach Survey
As students walk into the classroom they will be given a survey in which they will
complete before the onset of the presentation. The objective of the students
completing the survey is to familiarize the students with survey questions and
format as well as set the preliminaries for subsequent presentations on Survey
Research Methods and Interpreting Survey Results. Students will be able gain a
better grasp of the power of survey research through taking part in the participatory
process of survey implementation, see immediate results and understand the
feelings and perceptions of their peers on climate change.
II.
Introduction of USC Sea Grant
The University of Southern California (USC) Sea Grant Program promotes healthy
coastal ecosystems, sustainable coastal development, safe and sustainable seafood,
hazard resilience in coastal communities, and ocean education and environmental
literacy through research, advocacy, planning in order to connect scientific
education to coastal officials and local communities.
III.
Climate Change, Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Study for LA
Students will be given a PowerPoint presentation on public health effects of climate
change and how populations are considered to be more vulnerable. Impacts such as
air quality, wildfire, extreme heat, vector borne diseases, and droughts will be
discussed but will focus more on sea level and its impacts on the Los Angeles coastal
region. Students will be able to understand how their communities are affected by
sea level rise as well as identify adaptation methods.
IV.
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Presentation on Climate Change and its Impacts
o Air Quality
o Wildfires
o Extreme Heat
o Vector Borne Diseases
o Droughts
o Sea Level Rise
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Presentation on LA Vulnerability Study
o Major Findings
o Adaptation Methods
Survey Research Methods
Students will learn the methods of survey research, construction, implementation
and data computation and analysis.
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V.
Types of Surveys
Survey Design
Survey Implementation
o Survey Bias
o Safety Instructions
Analysis
Interpreting Survey Results
Students will be able to interpret the results of the survey they completed and gain a
better understanding of the feelings and perceptions of their peers on climate
change. Together with staff they will develop the story about the student
community in the room based upon their results
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Presentation of Community Outreach Survey Results
Interpretations
Phase II
Follow up action: Fieldwork: Survey Implementation
Agenda
I.
Implementation of Community Outreach Survey (Independent)
Students will implement survey to family members and two or more neighbors
or known community members.
II.
Implementation of Community Outreach Survey (Guidance)
Students will brainstorm community events to attend together and meet USC
Sea Grant and/or Heal the Bay personal at selected community events to
implement surveys. Student will receive survey safety and implementation
instructions.
Community Events:
1. 11th Annual Los Angeles Harbor International Film Festival Sunday, March
30, 2014 Warner Grand Theatre, 478 West 6th Street, San Pedro CA 90731
2. 1st Thursdays art walk ( 6 – 9 pm) San Pedro
3. April 6th San Pedro Historical Society 1st Sundays or April 12th Easter Egg
hunt at Pt. Fermin Lighthouse
4. April 14th NW neighborhood council meeting.
5. Earth Day Bird Festival, Saturday, April 19, 2014 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Cabrillo
Marine Aquarium
Phase III
Follow up action: What does all that data mean?
Microsoft Excel Training: Data Input & Computation; Analysis of Community
Outreach Survey
Agenda
Students will meet at the University of Southern California in a computer lab
where they will receive hands on software training on Microsoft Excel utilizing
the real data from the Community Outreach Survey. The training includes data
entry, date computation, graph creation and analysis, and report summary.
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Data Entry
Data Computation
Graph Creation
Analysis
Report Summary – what story does this tell that will engage the
community?