Resources for Excellence Across the Curriculum - Spring 2021: Symposium Program - Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

Eliminating Private Prisons -
Coronavirus has disruptive effects on the United States in various ways. The coronavirus has caused an economy crisis, resulting in layoffs and shutdowns, unemployment rates increased, and small business revenue decreasing. However, as factories and other businesses remain shuttered across America, people in prisons continue to work. Private prisons have been a major problem in America for a long time, and their issues are only exacerbated because of the pandemic. Private prisons should be banned due to their health and safety issues, focus on money and punishments instead of rehabilitation, and costly for inmates and their families. Private prisons show little interest in the health and protection of their inmates. According to Apnews.com, more than 20,000 prisoners have been infected with coronavirus and 295 have died nationwide. Secondly, private prisons tend to focus on monetary gains and punishing inmates rather than the rehabilitation process. Prisons have four main purposes: retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation. Private prisons tend to focus on retribution more than rehabilitation. Lastly, the cost of private prisons through the pandemic is outrageous. State prisons cost about $44.56 per inmate per day, compared to $49.07 for similar inmates in private prisons.

A message -
Capitalism is an economic and political system in which corporations and private owners control the country's trade and industry. Today these corporations and private owners are not only controlling the country's trade and industry, but it is controlling the people, and the people are unaware. The people are forced to conform to a society that is morally incorrect. The United States was intended to be a country of freedom and a land that is ruled by the people for the people, but it has turned rather into a free market ruled by corporations and governments who have nothing but financial gain in their desires. A new solution must be created by the people, for the people, because the system we live in today was not created by us but by them and it is meant for them to win, while the true people stay at the bottom and feed them.

Should animals be euthanized? -
Should animals be euthanatized, or not? Many individuals around the world consider euthanasia unethical, but euthanasia is defined as good death, it means that euthanasia can be interpreted as death without physical pain. Euthanasia in an animal shelter is used in animals that are unable to be adopted, such as those with incurable conditions, and in animals with dangerous behavior issues. Humans must not be afraid of death, and it should not be an option to refuse the consent to keep an animal alive that requires assistance. Sacrifice is not a good way to called Euthanasia, since euthanasia and animal sacrifice are entirely unconnected and unrelated to one another. However, animals are killed in zoos because humans are not capable to care for them. Also, some medical workers experience secondary trauma after administering euthanasia protocols on animals. It is vital to be mindful of people's emotions when it comes to animals and to note that any action, or decision made must be in the best interests of the animal, not of oneself. Evidently, the veterinarian in charge of the case must supervise and advise on all aspects of the euthanasia procedure. Owners should take the responsibility and allow their pets to be euthanatized and have a good death.

Freedom of speech in student debates -
There has been many debates on whether freedom of speech should be limited in schools, specifically in debates and discussions. Freedom of speech should be somewhat limited, especially in regard to social issues, such as gay marriage or bathroom laws. Limiting debates on these topics would aid students who belong to these groups, as such discussions can lead to discrimination. The right to freedom of speech has been a hotly debated topic for years, with two strong opposing ideals. However, the most beneficial method for all students, is to monitor debates, instead of banning these discussions all together. This paper will discuss how allowing these types of topics could be harmful to minorities and why it is important to create a safe environment for all students.

Yoga's Effects on the Lives of Patients with Chronic Pain Compared to Physical Therapy and Non-exercise -
In this presentation, I am reviewing the research on the effects of yoga on patients with chronic pain therapy compared to the effects of non-exercise or physical therapy. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain and its other effects such as depression, anxiety, and stress. This research will allow me to further educate myself and others about the field of physical therapy. It will also reveal the best treatment for patients that will improve their quality of living so that physical therapists can make a change for the better. I will cover how yoga develops better body functionality, aids patients in coping with pain psychologically, and is cost-effective. I will also explore the several arguments against yoga' s effects. In the end, I hope this research will contribute to achieving Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Should the U.S. federal government provide a paid maternity leave for non-working mothers? -
Many mothers living in the United States do not have maternity leave. Maternity leave benefits many mothers and their families in different countries all around the world. The significance of this research paper does incorporate open mindfulness as well as answers to how paid parental leave would help keep families afloat financially as they adjust to the financial burden of a newborn child. The U.S. federal government should provide paid maternity leave for non-working mothers because it helps benefit mothers and their families.

Human Rights Violation Project -
In this presentation, I am showcasing my human rights violation illustration. For my work I selected article 18 from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that everyone has the right to think and believe what they want, and this includes the right to religions beliefs. I choose this project because of what I see around me. Many times I see people get discriminated and hurt because of their beliefs and I don't understand why. We as human all believe in something, even if you do think there's a god or being that itself is a belief. The difference is that we don't believe in the same god and way of worship. In my work I wanted to show that, I wanted to show different kinds of people with their beliefs all praying together peacefully to show unity. I've thought of naming this piece "together", it is simple but gets the meaning across.

Plastic in Our Oceans -
Our project was an environmental research and awareness campaign on the plastic pollution crisis in South Florida. Specifically, we aimed to raise awareness of the damage plastic waste is causing to our ecosystems and health. Additionally, we wanted to inform students of community resources that would allow them to directly contribute to solving this crisis by petitioning legislatures and participating in local cleanup initiatives. To achieve these objectives, we collaborated with other student groups and established North Campus organizations to reach a greater circle of influence. We prepared an informational seminar that was attended by twenty-two students and hosted a cleanup at Margaret Pace Park, a local park in Miami.

Is the Ketogenic Diet safe to follow? -
The Ketogenic Diet is a low-carb diet, based mainly on fats and proteins. It is used by people who want to lose weight quickly but it has many side effects. Some of these side effects include nausea, indigestion, fatigue, and depression. The long-term practice of this diet could have serious complications to people's health and general well-being. Since this diet restricts the consumption of carbohydrates, fruits and cereals are also restricted. The human body needs nutrients that come from these foods, and a deficiency in them can lead to long-term health problems. The ketogenic diet is not safe for most of the population; people must consult a dietician or a doctor if planning to follow this diet. The best way to stay healthy is to maintain a balanced diet, consuming all the vitamins and nutrients the body needs.

Foreign Aid -
This paper analyzes how foreign aid is an inefficient system that needs improvement in order to maintain its goal of helping others. To prove this system's inefficient. The use of research and credible evidence and statistics in different viewpoints; political, economic, and social were provided. The result showed that foreign aid has used several trillion but the effects of the allocation were small. Results also revealed that foreign aid has an underlying cause of creating and influencing foreign nations with democratic ideals. This study emphasizes the need to improve and regulate the foreign aid system from funding to donations and sponsor groups.

Living Spaces, Changing Places -
Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a vast change in many of our living spaces. Many people modified and tweaked their homes and apartments to fit their various lifestyles and hobbies that we once practiced outside this space. More specifically, most people adapted their living spaces to accommodate their work life. This investigation features a series of 25 color photographs accompanied by excerpts from interviews that reflect the lived experiences of people's changing living and workspaces during this time of remote work. Using a phenomenological approach, themes that emerged from this research study are featured in the photography exhibit.

Human Cloning -
In this presentation, I will be discussing the topic "Human Cloning". I am researching this topic because there are a lot of questions recently on why the efforts on human cloning have been reduced or have not yet been incorporated in modern medical society. In this presentation, I would be covering the pros and cons of human cloning; how the pros can impact medicine, and how the cons can affect society. Not only is this research paper educational, but it is also relevant to change-making in society. Part of this research paper explains how women can be subjected to harsh treatment since their eggs are an important material in this process. This has just violated article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Fading Hope -
In this presentation, I will be selecting one of the Human Rights from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to further explore through my artwork. I will be creating a PowerPoint that consists of 10 words and 10 images that sparked the inspiration for the piece, it also gives the viewer a better understanding of my thought process. I will also add process pictures such as sketches, thumbnails, and color selection. With the guidance of Professor Gomez, I will make any revisions and necessary changes to present my artwork to its fullest potential. The final artwork will be presented with an artist statement that explains my process and the symbolism each element holds.

Freedom of Slavery; Together We Unite -
In this human rights violation project, I will keep the focus on Freedom of Slavery from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the topic (Universal declaration of human rights Article 4). I will include a PowerPoint presentation that consists of 10 images with 10 phrases along with sketches inspired by the images. My mentor, Professor Gomez, and writing center will help with necessary changes and revision before I add the final product of the artwork. In addition to the artwork, an artis' statement will be added to share the objective and process in the making of the artwork. It will describe how the artwork correlates with slavery that is still present to this day.

Animal Testing -
Animal Testing has been the go-to method for companies to test products and chemicals. The aim of this paper is to speak on different ways of testing these products that will hopefully not harm any being. There are several reasons why animal testing should not be considered, between them the fact that it is something cruel and ethically incorrect done to animals and because the Food and Drug Administration does not require animals to be tested for any product since there are a plethora of other methods available. Through my research, I discovered scientists that claim animal testing was a valid procedure that should be allowed to continue to happen. Some research showed that the animals experimented on are not actually being harmed but used to further human knowledge due to them being similar in makeup to us. Others showed that even though animal testing was somehow successful, it was still making the animal suffer in an unnecessary manner. Even though there might be some prospected benefits to using the animal method, I focused on explaining the downside of animal experimenting and how there might be better options out there for experimenting that can benefit humans more.

Free Trade -
In this presentation, I will talk about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). I decided to research about this topic due to the fact that I am majoring in Business Administration as of now; in addition, free trade correlates with my future career. Within my research paper I will discuss reduced government spending, economic growth, new jobs, suppressed wages, excessive pollution and job losses. This research is relevant to change making because the decision to retain NAFTA will have to be deeply thought about and well planned along with the fact that whatever decision is made will definitely affect the United States economy.

The Use of CBD for Medical Treatments -
Cannabidiol (CBD) has always been rejected by this society since it is one of the components of a drug called Cannabis. CBD is the passive psychoactive component of cannabis that actually has beneficial effects on our bodies. There are several uses for this substance; it can be used as a pain reliever, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and also as an anxiolytic. It is an all-in-one remedy that should be recommended by experts without hesitation. Dominique Fontaine, who is a double board-certified holistic nurse and health and wellness nurse coach of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation, wrote about how this substance can help improve the performance of athletes and their recovery. CBD is also good for those who have depression or anxiety. Additionally, CBD helps with the treatment of cancer; it is said that it could be consumed complementary with chemotherapy and radiation in order to suppress the side effects of these treatments. Since CBD is a component of a drug, it is hard for people to accept it as a regular medical treatment.

Effects of Social Media -
Social media has become an important tool of communication for many people. This project emphasizes the benefits and disadvantages social media brings to people and their mental health by showing the most relevant effects. The main beneficial effects are that it connects people, helps with their education, and provides online therapy. On the other side, the adverse effects it has on people are that it creates a sense of isolation, anxiety, and affects self-esteem. This study focuses on how these effects are developed by providing solid evidence connected to real life. Also, it analyzes the solutions and prevention of the adverse effects. Finally, this study is fully charged with empathy and reflection by understanding and exploring the different viewpoints and solutions for a society with stable mental health.

Advancing Mental Health and Illness Awareness -
The focus for our project stemmed from mental health research and its repercussion on the current generations, which consequently affect future generations. Our goal was to determine how current generations and the public perceive mental health. Through research, we found that stigma within different cultures and media is a major factor that affects people's perception of mental health and determines whether people seek help when experiencing mental health conditions. Sources emphasized the importance of advancing mental health and illness awareness in order to decrease the stigma and stated that, given the current pandemic, stressors to mental health have risen. Therefore, we decided to coordinate two presentations to bring awareness to mental health and illness, while exposing Miami Dade College students to resources they could use within campus, like therapy. As a result, students furthered their knowledge regarding mental health, which has a significant impact on our peers and future generations.

Is raising the federal minimum wage good for the economy? -
In this presentation, I will be discussing the major benefits and disadvantages of increasing the federal minimum wage. The federal minimum wage has huge correlations to human rights issues like the decent work as well as economic growth. This is an important topic to research as there is a genuine possibility that the newest presidential administration could increase the federal minimum wage. In my research, I will be analyzing how an increase in the minimum wage could help consumers escalate their purchasing power and create a strong economic foundation. On the contrary, though, I will also be going over how a raise could create fewer jobs, and there is no evidence that soar in minimum wage will reduce poverty.

Use of Neuralink chip -
In this presentation, I will analyze the use of Neuralink’s “Link” on a daily routine. Neuralink desires to create an affordable device that will assist in topics from memory loss to brain damage. The science community is concerned about this goal, which some say is too ambitious. One of the most common concerns in the community is the health risk over time. If the link succeeds, it will assist in several of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Good Health and Well-being. The link would be also related to the 25th Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights because it promotes the right to have a standard way of living. This research is also relevant to Changemaking. Although I still believe in the potential this Link has, this research made me think about my posture and reflect on my thoughts because I had to go deeper on its the negative effects. The research allowed me to critically analyze two opposite points and try to understand them instead of fighting the ones that contradicts my opinion.

Social Media Use Among Teenagers and Adolescents -
In this presentation I will state my findings on the pros and cons of social media use among teenagers and how it affects them. The research conducted is relevant to me being a teenager who uses social media and have witnessed the power social media holds. The different areas I covered throughout my research is how social media has been used to promote teen violence in low-income neighborhoods and how it leads to psychological problems among adolescents. To also shed light on the positive side of social media, I covered how it gives its users have the opportunity to communicate and break down cultural barriers. It’s also a much more efficient way for information to be received, and social media also gives its participants a wide range to be more creative, giving them the ability to solve global issues. Correlating my findings to how the media is a very important part in making the world a better place, while advocating human rights and raising awareness on important events that has taken place. Showing the power of social media and how it has been recognized on an international level, pushing to show how it can move so many people to move in the right direction by offering a wide range of possibilities.