R4R STUDENT for RESILIENCE PROGRAM
R4R Summer Internship Program is designed to provide motivated students with a unique opportunity to engage directly in real-world environmental resilience work. Interns work alongside community leaders, environmental specialists, and educators to research, design, and propose actionable solutions to some of our most pressing water-related challenges.
This summer, Parker has been diligently developing the structure, goals, and rollout plan for our new Students for Resilience Program. Her work will help launch a long-term initiative that will engage and empower students to become active leaders in nature-based solutions, marine waterway restoration, flood mitigation, and public education.
Parker shares her incredible experience at the Research Scholars Hawaii Program below.
We are absolutely thrilled to have her as part of the R4R team and can’t wait to work alongside her—and all the passionate students who will join our Students 4 Resilience program.
Together, we’re building a movement led by the next generation of environmental leaders! 🌱🌊✨
I was honored to be invited to speak with the American Heritage Engineering Department last Thursday, where I shared our R4R four critical water issues, our Students for Resilience program, and our new "Innovative Challenge" — encouraging students to develop creative solutions to these pressing water issues.
I’m so glad to have our Vice President, Tricia Halliday, join me, as she is always such an incredible support and partner in our R4R mission.
The students were absolutely amazing! We were so impressed by AH’s outstanding Engineering Department and the innovative projects they are working on, including robotics — their wall of awards is truly inspiring. The questions and comments we received were thoughtful, insightful, and right on point about the complexity of water issues and the challenges of making progress.
We were equally impressed by the leadership of Osmel Rodriguez, Massimiliano Salafia, Anabel Nogueiris, Mohanalatha Pamajala, Danielle Trentin, and Carmen Mendez — their enthusiasm, motivation, and genuine engagement with students was wonderful to witness. These leaders were also deeply interested in our R4R organization and the issues we discussed, and we look forward to collaborating further. It’s clear they are cultivating a spirit of innovation and responsibility in their classrooms.
We are looking forward to seeing what these students design as they take on the Innovative Challenge. Through this program, they’ll explore creative solutions to some of our region’s most pressing water issues — from developing prototype living seawalls and vertical oyster garden structures, to studying biochar’s filtration benefits, advancing stormwater management, and rethinking flood resiliency - along with advocating for public awareness.
We’re excited to continue working with these students, their teachers, and other high schools across South Florida. Together, we can inspire and empower the next generation of problem-solvers for our waterways and our future! 💧✨
🔎 💦 A Big Thank You to American Heritage Broward
and their Engineering Department! 🌿💧✨
Students 4 Resilience
Empowering the Next Generation of Water Advocates
Students 4 Resilience is an R4R initiative designed to amplify student voices and foster hands-on involvement in solving the four most critical water challenges facing our South Florida communities:
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Drinking Water Safety
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Waterway Restoration
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Flood Mitigation
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Storm Resiliency
Through mentorship and real-world projects, students collaborate with environmental specialists, marine water experts, scientists, and environmental organizations to gain the knowledge and experience needed to make a lasting impact. From Living Seawalls along with oyster and mangrove restoration to important data collection, advocacy, and public outreach, Students 4 Resilience aims to empower young leaders to help build a cleaner, safer, and more resilient future.
