Learning, engaging, and finding solutions. In this program, you’ll learn about the latest research on air pollution in Central Florida presented by the The Smart and Trustworthy Air Quality Network (STAIR) team at the University of Central Florida. Featured speakers include Dr. Haofei Yu, Dr. Thomas Bryer, and Dr. Kelly Stevens. The STAIR team will further explain about their network and share new data surrounding what the quality of air looks like in Central Florida before discussing ways you can get involved with the team or use this information to communicate with your local government and vote on air quality concerns during your local elections. During the second half of the program, you’ll work with others in the discussion group to come up with your own solutions to the proposed issue.

The IDEAS Hive meetings are educational gatherings dedicated to raising environmental awareness and fostering a discussion among the audience about projects we can implement to solve global climate issues with localized solutions.

By participating in this session, you can expect to:

• learn how air quality issues in Orlando are a serious problem.
• understand how air quality can be an unjust issue.
• discuss ways to develop solutions to air pollution.

This program is presented by STAIR and hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation in collaboration with IDEAS For Us.

Cancelling Your Reservation: If you are unable to attend a program, cancelling your reservation gives us an accurate count of how many to expect; for sold-out programs, cancelling your reservation also allows someone on the waitlist to attend in your place. Cancelling can be done in two easy ways: by calling 407.644.2492 and selecting Option 1, then Option 3 to speak to a representative or by using the online ticket cancellation option in your original confirmation email from Eventbrite.

By participating in this program, you agree to CHWB’s Gracious Space policy.

About the Program Presenters

Kelly A. Stevens is an assistant professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida (UCF), and a Renewable, Intelligent and Sustainable Energy Systems (RISES) research cluster initiative member. Dr. Stevens conducts interdisciplinary research on energy and environmental policy, environmental management, as well as science and technology policy. Her work focuses on the U.S. electricity sector, climate change policies, air pollution, and community resilience. She started working on climate change policy and air pollution regulation as a meteorologist for the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection in the Division of Air Resource Management. Prior to joining UCF, Stevens completed her Ph.D. in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, and she was a visiting student at Carnegie Mellon University in the Engineering and Public Policy program. Dr. Stevens first became interested in energy and environmental issues while pursuing her master’s degree in Meteorology at Florida State University, where she later graduated with a second master’s in Public Administration. While pursuing her MPA, Stevens worked in Tallahassee as a meteorologist for the State of Florida in the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Air Resource Management for five years.

Dr. Haofei Yu is an assistant professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Yu’s teaching and research interests mainly focus on air quality modeling, emission estimation, exposure assessment and low-cost air quality sensors.

Dr. Thomas Bryer is a professor in the School of Public Administration at UCF. He conducts extensive research in the areas of public participation and collaboration across segments of society, including government, nonprofit, private, faith-based, and voluntary sectors. He is also the program director of UCF Downtown’s Office of Downtown Community-Engaged Scholarship.

About the Presenting Organizations

STAIR is an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Central Florida who have installed more than 50 air quality sensors across Orlando and Orange County through a grant from the National Science Foundation. Their sensors measure outdoor fine particulate matter and carbon dioxide using small, solar-powered devices. The purpose of their project is to provide a denser network of air quality information and evaluate the impact of their network on citizen trust in the Central Florida community.

About IDEAS Hive and IDEAS For Us

The IDEAS Hive is an interdisciplinary, inter-generational community Think + Do Tank developed by IDEAS For Us, an Orlando-based grassroots non-profit organization, which is designed to educate the public about sustainability and help develop ideas into local action projects. The IDEAS Hive meets in communities to grow stakeholders and educate them around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Through seminars, field trips, action projects, and film screenings, the IDEAS Hive is designed to transform communities to advance positive change.