What’s new in the lab?

-Reached out to organizations associated with our target population.

-Identified areas of improvement within current best practices.

-Revisited the social impact cycle, focusing on single-female lead families.

-Mapped contributing factors and began best practice research for organizations supporting this demographic.

-Shared research insights.

-Discussed the justification of the chosen population and clarified the lab's objectives and project goals.

-Appointed Jordan as the lab communication specialist.

-Finalized demographic choice through extensive discussion and research.

-Drafted a problem statement and developed an action plan.

We decided our niche is focusing on advocacy for underrepresented or vulnerable populations. We are exploring two main populations: the west side of Salt Lake County which is lower income and more severely affected by the lake's toxic dust, and Salt Lake citizens with pre-existing compromised respiratory health. We hope to create solutions with the lens of advocacy. We also interviewed an atmospheric scientist at the University of Utah to learn more about their research and how it relates to environmental justice. Finally, we also finalized our lab's charter, defined lab member roles, and developed more of the structure and ecosystem we operate within.

Discussed population pitches and justifications for groups including the broad population, single parents, and middle-aged single men.

Reviewed summer schedule and class structure layout as provided by Ballard Center Director Eva Witesman, Ph.D.

-Met with the Road Home Director

-Attended Continuum of Care meeting; discussed potential partnership

-Delved into the outcomes of low-income housing and its impact on property values.

-Brainstormed lab projects, potential public awareness campaigns, and class content.

Grace: Researched welfare demographics and had a meeting with the Road Home in Salt Lake City, UT.

Jordan: Added contributing factors and further organized information on PREZI.

Grady: Met with Heather, the project manager at Mountainland Continuum of Care to discuss potentially attending Continuum of Care meetings and giving a presentation in August.

Grant: Explored collaboration opportunities with Utah Valley University.

Chose Provo and SLC as primary focus areas. Investigated demographic factors that contribute to homelessness. Continued organizing research on PREZI and addressed outstanding questions.

Explored systems and ecosystem maps, then used PREZI to create an organized representation of our findings.

We shared individual research findings and discussed focus areas, potential interviewees, and project expectations.

We initiated research and discussed questions. Josh focused his research on BYU, while Jordan and Grady examined Utah. Grace and Robyn explored national homelessness alleviation best practices.