Recorded Presentations

Isotopic gases could be characterized as multiple gases with the same number of electrons present but with a different number of neutrons within the nuclei. A product collected could contain all possible isotopes of an atom. The separation of these isotopes could be analyzed to better differentiate and understand what is present. Various gases including hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide have been synthesized using deuterated sulfuric acid and anhydrous salts in an air-sensitive manner. Once collected, the gases were analyzed through a Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) method. Calculations to determine the rotational and vibrational constants were conducted via PGOPHER as well as least-mean-square regression analysis within Excel. Two peaks were presented in the spectra representing the two different isotopes. For hydrogen chloride these isotopes were for chlorine-35 and chlorine-37. Relationships of the gases present were better analyzed to differentiate the isotopes from one another which can be necessary in chemical synthesis.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is one of many systematic approaches that exists in the K-12 public education setting. Determining the best practices for PBIS implementation is worth researching because the implementation of PBIS approaches has an impact on real students and their behavior during the school day across the country. In order to match a goal of PBIS; fidelity, schools who are implementing PBIS approaches need to utilize best practices available to them. Preliminary research found four of the primary best practices for PBIS implementation were adequate professional development, support from administration for teachers, giving the PBIS approach adequate time to reach its intended purpose, and achieving fidelity. The study conducted concerning these best practices took place at a rural middle school in southern Ohio. At this school, teachers of grades five through eight and students in grades seven and eight were surveyed concerning their school’s PBIS approach with the preliminarily researched best practices in mind. These surveys were used as a real-world example of these best practices at play. Based on the results of the study, the school’s PBIS approach was operating within fidelity range due to the utilization of these best practices. This school utilized adequate professional development and support from administration as core tenets of their PBIS approach. Other schools should take heed of their approach and seek to align consistently with these best practices when it comes to PBIS.

This paper will be looking at whether positive reinforcements motivates students more than negative reinforcement. Focusing on how we can motivate students academically and behaviorally in the middle school education, what methods are being used, and what we can change for the students benefit. There is information gathering on the internet about different approaches and methods to guide students to success. Something is missing to motivate each diverse student. This paper will be studying the methods used in the classroom today, the effects they have on students, and ways schools can change. Using research, observation, and a survey I have found that neither alone does the job of motivating all students. With the information collected I hope there can be a start to more awareness of what students need and that we can work together to find a combination of both positive and negative reinforcements to reach all students.

This paper will be looking into how classroom management effects student achievement and behavior in high school students by collecting and analyzing survey data. There will also be a focus on how other factors affect students’ motivation to perform well in the classroom, or lack thereof. There has been numerous studies and books wrote about classroom management and which strategies are most effective and beneficial for students. However, this study also looks at the relationship with classroom management and other motivating factors in students lives. The better a teacher understands their students, the more they can prepare and teach in a way that is best for students. With the information found in the study, I hope to find ways to help teachers better understand their students’ needs and help them understand the importance of the teacher in the classroom.

The paper “Color in Context: A Mixed Methods Study of Multicolored Writing Strategies” explores the impact of multicolored writing strategies and nonstandard ink colors in secondary English Language Arts student experiences and performance in writing. This study utilizes quantitative and qualitative data collected from a high school English classroom as its primary source in conjunction with an extensive background from existing research in color based theories and strategies. The findings reveal a positive student reception of color based writing strategies, as well as emerging trends of the role of color in writing mechanics and organization, writer accomplishment, and student perseverance. Conclusively, the results of this research suggest a need for further research in the area of using color in composition to benefit future writing experiences in the classroom.

This study tests local history implementation as a means to promote student engagement within the social studies classroom. Engagement can be a very challenging thing to cultivate within any subject area of education, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. One possible way to engage students involves creating a connection between them and their communities through the use of activities based in local history, of which are not currently held to be valid options within our high school curriculum. In this study, students were given two different activities where they were to create a product. These products were then qualitatively analyzed along with a final survey in which students expressed their opinions on the experiences. While our analysis does show an increase in student engagement resulting from these activities, it does not provide conclusive evidence to support their effectiveness within the classroom.

The interaction between bacteria and host cells can have significant effects on the health and well-being of organisms. The predatory nature of Myxococcus xanthus suggests that its presence may have a mitigating effect on the attachment of E. coli in tissue culture. In this study, we investigated the effect of M. xanthus on E. coli infected human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells). Using in vitro assays, we observed the growth and characteristics of Caco-2 cells after exposure to both bacteria. However, further experimentation is necessary to confirm and better understand the underlying mechanisms at play. These results have important implications for our understanding of how bacterial communities interact with host cells, and how these interactions can influence health outcomes. In particular, M. xanthus may have a beneficial effect on the gut microbiome, potentially providing a new avenue for the development of probiotics or other microbiome-based antimicrobial therapies. Overall, this study contributes to a growing body of research on the complex interactions between bacteria and host cells which highlights the need for further investigation.

A large body of literature suggests that perceivers are more likely to perceive others as attractive when those others are wearing certain colors. For example, women tend to be perceived as more attractive when their dresses are red compared to other colors. The current research utilizes an experimental design to see if the attraction ratings of college students in a rural community are also influenced by color. Participants will be selected with methods to approximate random sampling. Participants then view a fictitious dating profile from the popular online dating website, Tinder. Although most features of the profiles will be identical across experimental conditions, participants are randomly assigned to view the character in different color clothing. After viewing the characters’ profiles, participants will then rate the attractiveness of the characters. When sufficient sample size has been achieved, statistical techniques will test if the average attractiveness ratings significantly differed by experimental condition.

Electron transfer reactions are extremely prevalent in nearly all branches of modern chemistry. From quantum computing to organic syntheses, the rate at which electrons transfer between compounds can be supremely important. This experiment studied electron transfer kinetics through computational chemistry and cyclic voltammetry. Building on the research of prior semesters, computational chemical techniques were utilized to optimize linear diradical alkanes of various lengths in counterpoise with other alkanes. All molecular models were constructed in GaussView 5.0, and the jobs were completed using Gaussian 09W. The models were optimized at two basis sets—3-21G and 6-31G—and under Hartree-Fock and DFT B3LYP procedures to analyze the respective effects. Cyclic voltammetry was utilized to electrochemically analyze dark chocolate samples for the potential presence of cadmium. Prepared cadmium solutions of known concentrations were used to construct a calibration curve in order to determine relative concentration of the chocolate analytes.

This study investigated how the science of reading can benefit students’ reading levels, comprehension and what strategy is best to help teach reading fluency. Data was collected from 3 third grade students who receive services identified in an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) while working in a RTI group (Response to Intervention group). The preliminary data collected shows that there are slight improvements shown in results from formative benchmark assessments as well as in multiple areas of daily reading instruction. This concludes that using the science of reading instruction can help increase reading levels, comprehension and fluency.

The research used in this paper is used to determine the effectiveness of Positive Discipline. Finding an effective way to manage a classroom, benefits both teachers and students. Motivating students is at the core of teaching them how to manage their own behaviors. Every teacher must determine the best style of discipline that works for them. There are a variety of styles that can make it hard for a teacher to choose. This paper studies how Positive Discipline impacts student behavior and performance levels. Many factors are identified through out the study including incentive and fostering motivation within the students that contributed the most to the effectiveness of this disciplinary style. With the results of this study, hopefully more teachers will be able to adopt or adapt Positive Discipline and manage classrooms more effectively while still improving student behavior and performance.

The purpose of this study is to look into how technology impacts students’ education and motivation in English Language Arts. In 2020, COVID-19 caused technology to play an even larger role in students’ education. This action research paper determines how 1:1 technology impacts students’ attitudes and engagement. With a combination of reviewing literature and studying students’ responses, this research illustrates students’ genuine thoughts and experiences with technology in the classroom. Students’ concerns and also positive outlooks are apparent throughout the results. With the information collected, educators can see how students’ respond to the purposefulness of technology in the classroom. Educators can also create and implement instruction that best fits the students’ needs and interests involving technology. By utilizing student responses collected from a survey, one can see how students truly feel about technology and how technology is positively and/or negatively impacting students’ education and experiences in the classroom.

The purpose of this action research project was to observe the impacts of RTI on students’ achievement. This study investigated the instructional methods used during RTI to see if they were beneficial to the students or if changes should be made. The study was done in a rural 3^rd grade school district. The research done within this study was with four 3^rd grade students. During RTI the instructional methods were done in small groups. The groups are based off the students’ reading levels. Throughout the year based on the students’ STAR assessment scores and F&P scores the students have shown improvement on their overall reading growth to show that the methods being done in RTI have helped. This study shows how school districts should set up and utilize their RTI effectively.

In order to supplement secondary students’ interpretations of complex literature, visual literacy strategies enable students to associate, and create, symbolic meanings within a literary text. Visual literacy promotes a deeper understanding of abstract aspects of literature, including figurative language and characterization, so students can evaluate the effectiveness of particular visuals (e.g. film adaptations) in relation to the written word. This evaluation skill propels students forward and higher on taxonomies which are constantly evolving like that of Benjamin Bloom (Marshall & Donahue, 2014). These skills derive from the trend that contemporary secondary students, especially those in rural areas, lack an “understanding of culture and diverse perspectives” (DeFauw & Taylor, 2015). Thus, visual literacy allows students to heighten their engagement and self-reflection with literature, resulting in students moving beyond initial (and temporary) reactions and associating plot details on the page with a canvas or film screen…and socio-cultural significance within their own lives.

This study investigated three different reading curriculums in a rural school district that they will implement next year. The objective of this study was to give the school district information about the three different curriculums as well as teachers in grades 1^st through 6^th, administration, and the district’s curriculum director thoughts on the curriculum. Twelve different individuals were invited to state their thoughts about the different curriculums being considered through interview questions. My interviews showed me that teachers look for three specific things when choosing a reading curriculum. They look at the difficulty of the text, vocabulary words, and the level of comprehension needed for the students. Administration was very supportive of their teachers input. The curriculum director wanted to select a reading curriculum that is well rounded for all six primary grade levels. The rural school district selected the In to Reading Curriculum and will be implementing next year.