Service Area: Lower Ninth Ward
Environmental Research Internship Program
2021 Cohort
The interns were introduced to the local waterways of the Mississippi River Channels and wetlands; documenting pollutants and threats to biodiversity. They carried out their research using the Scientific Method to make observations, form hypotheses, test predictions, and analyze results of water samples.
Field study is where the research meets the real world – interns made trips to the Industrial Canal, Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle, Bayou Sauvage, and a boat trip led by the Port of NOLA.
Interns:
• Aaran Hogan
• Bryce Black
• Evan
• Jayden Lewis
• Jonathan Smith
• Territh Ridley
Program Leads:
• Arthur Johnson, CSED CEO
• Dr. Bernard Singleton, Environmental Research Director
Research Assistants/Mentors:
• Christina Lehew
• Darrell Esnault
• Jimmie Price
• Lavern Branche
• Mary Emmerling
• Molly Powell
Guest Speakers:
• Branden Nelson, GNO, Inc.
• Charles Allen, National Audubon Society
• Darlene Collins, Port of NOLA
• Faye Matthews, National Wildlife Federation
• Garrick Rose, Port of NOLA
• Jackie Woodward, Port of NOLA
• Jasmine Brown, GNO, Inc.
• Leah Campbell, UNC
• Sage Michael, Conservationist and Community Activist
Field Study Trips:
• Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle
• Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Industrial Canal
• Mississippi River
2022 Cohort
The interns were divided into three (3) research teams, and using the Scientific Method, studied the effects of climate change and its impacts on environmental stressors such as the urban heat effect – collected data and analyzed results of the quality of air and soil samples. They all received Chromebooks and testing materials to carry out their research as well as a variety of hydration options, snacks, and hot plate lunches.
The cohort also did field study in the Ninth Ward and New Orleans East communities and made field trips to various locations to include but not limited to NASA and the Glass Half Full recycling center.
Interns:
• Amarie Harris
• Bryce Black
• Charles Harris
• Jakih Taylor
• Jayden Lewis
• Jenna Ekaidi
• Jonathan Smith
• Leo Gant
• Miguel Harris
• Paige Parent
• Saleh Ekaidi
• Sara Ekaidi
Research Assistants/Mentors:
• Arlo Townsley, Research Assistant
• Christina Lehew, Research Assistant
• Darrell Esnault, Research Assistant
• Natalie Manning, Communications Mentor
• Rollin Black, Coastal Mentor
• Sharron Parker, Education Mentor
Guest Speakers:
• Reverend Willie Calhoun, Community Advocate
• Mr. Charles Allen, National Audubon Society
• Council Member Oliver Thomas, City of New Orleans
Program Leads:
• Arthur Johnson, CSED CEO
• Bernard Singleton, Faculty Research Mentor
Hands-On Learning/Research Teams
Air Quality Monitoring Team:
• Darrell Esnault, Lead
• Charles Harris
• Leo Gant
• Miguel Harris
Urban Temperature Effect Team:
• Arlo Townsley/Sabrina Sinicrope, Leads
• Amarie Harris
• Jayden Lewis
• Jonathan Smith
Soil Testing Team:
• Christine Lehew/Qiani Kissi, Leads
• Bryce Black
• Jakih Taylor
• Paige Parent
Field Studies
Local Waterways and Systems:
• Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle
• Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
• Industrial Canal
• Mississippi River
• Surge Barrier
• Glass Half Full
• NASA
2022 NASA Field Study Trip
2022 Glass Half Full Field Study Trip
2022 Surge Barrier Field Study Trip
2022 Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Field Study Trip
Summer Session Closing Ceremony
The research teams presented their findings to an audience of their families, mentors, peers, and staff at the beautiful Pontchartrain Conservancy New Canal Lighthouse Museum & Education Center.
Each intern was awarded a certificate of accomplishment, received a stipend, and was presented with white lab coats to commemorate the successful completion of the summer session.
Mayor’s Neighborhood Summit
The cohort presented their summer session environmental research to a host of community, industry, and thought leaders at the Mayor’s Neighborhood Summit on October 29.