Recorded Presentations

Adolescent suicide is a tragically familiar problem for many. This study sought to evaluate the disparity in the understanding of students participating in an after-school suicide prevention program, school staff understanding, and available research findings on the risk factors for adolescent suicide. Qualitative data was collected in surveying both groups and comparing the findings to available research. The results of the study may be useful in helping bridge the gaps in understanding by identifying what risk factors were least understood.

This action research paper will explore the question on whether online learning is assisting in students developing mastery in the science classroom and in the laboratory. This study will focus on how teachers can assist students in developing mastery through assessment methods unique to their individual learning style. Previous information explored in the literature review identified several areas of focus that can affect the rate of student learning. The students were surveyed once a week with questions that revolved around learning styles, assignments, and means to improve. By using anonymous survey response styles, the teachers can identify shortcomings in their own learning directions and explore methods to increase student success rate. One goal I will strive for in my classroom is that each student will have a voice. The purpose of this research was to listen to the voices of the students to learn their needs.

Many bank notes in circulation are contaminated with trace amounts of cocaine. Bank notes become contaminated due to their relationship with the use and trade of the illicit drug. This research project aimed to extract and analyze the cocaine present on United States bank notes. The cocaine was extracted via solid phase extraction through a C18 column. The samples were then analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry in single ion mode with a spitless injection. The mass spectrum was focused on ions with a mass to charge ratio of 82, 182, and 303. A standard solution of cocaine was used to confirm the elution time and to develop a calibration curve for use in the determination of the quantity of cocaine present on each bank note. All bank notes tested in this project yielded a mass spectrum signal corresponding to cocaine.

This research study investigates how students stay motivated the best during math class. A survey was given to the students at the beginning of the study to determine if the students were kinesthetic, auditory, or visual learners. For the actual study, students completed a pre-test over a given topic which lead to teaching the same topic to the students using numerous instructional strategies (lecturing, worksheets, technology, games, and small-groups, then, at the end of the topic, the students were given a pos-test. The study shows that many students improve their test scores when they complete hands-on activities during class instead of listening to a lecture. In conclusion, playing games inside the classroom resulted in the students having the highest percentage of improvement on their test scores.

In this project, we compared the effects of population management strategies on an imaginary impala herd. We modeled the impact of predation, game ranching and trophy hunting on the population using age-classified matrix models. When using different levels of management strategies, the model predicted different behaviors of the total populations. Moreover, using a variation of a logistic model we discovered that the population dynamics also depend what assumptions we make about the environment’s carrying capacity. In conclusion, we had success with modeling and simulating population dynamics.

The purpose of this study is to showcase the modern form of education known as Mastery Based Learning and the goal of this form of education. Purposeful selection will be used to complete a qualitative study. The Mastery Based Learning study is being conducted to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the modern style of learning. When this article refers to a modern form of education, it is in terms of modern technological learning styles. This style of learning offers a focused approach that allows the students to work at their own pace, giving them the opportunity to retain the knowledge for further use. Students will be focusing on mastery skills needed to succeed in everyday life. These skills consist of analyzing a problem, devising a plan to find a solution to the problem, implementing a plan, and revising and reflecting on the work. The intended outcome of Mastery Based Learning is for students to walk away with a stronger foundation in comprehension and communication and problem-solving skills that are needed to succeed in life after high school. This transformation strives to close both the opportunity gap and resulting achievement gap that creates an environment where each student has a unique style of learning. Being able master the learning material is important to enhance the student’s retained knowledge to prepare them for life after this class.

This paper examines the importance of small group math instruction. Students learn differently, at their own paces, and from different strategies. This paper compares the difference in students’ achievement from whole and small group math instruction. Data was tested from multiple students with different academic levels in a first-grade classroom. The conclusion of this research is that small groups benefit student learning. This conclusion was found by looking at data and by student interviews.

What is the relationship between a multi-faceted small group of fluency skills and assessment scores? Fluency is one essential building block of a student’s growing literacy. This study aims to investigate the relationship between implementing fluency skills in small groups and a student’s assessment scores. Structured groups were built according to student fluency level. These groups met two-four times a week and implemented a variety of fluency skills, such as repeated reading, pre-reading vocabulary, and tracing sight words.

My analysis of this research has shown that there is a positive correlation between the small-group intervention of fluency skills and student assessment scores. After receiving this intervention, students oral reading fluency scores increased.

I present the results of a project to monitor cosmic-ray muons. Muons are an elementary particle that result from atmospheric reactions of cosmic radiation from sources around the earth, such as the sun. This radiation reaches earth and interacts with the atmosphere to produce a shower of muon particles. Various factors affect the detection and flux rate of muons, such as altitude, solar activity, air pressure, and the angle of the detector. Using historical weather data, we are looking to see if meteorological factors such as pressure produce a noticeable effect on the rate of detection of muons. Additionally, we are creating a detector of our own design, consisting of scintillator tiles and a counting device, to be flown on a high-altitude balloon to study the effects of high altitudes on the radiation levels.

The purpose of this study is to determine if having dogs in the classroom provides benefits to students’ emotional wellbeing. Many people report that animals help calm them down after a stressful day, so this study was devised as a way to determine if dogs can help alleviate the stressors that are often associated with school. During student teaching, I noticed positive changes in students’ behaviors on the days in which my service dog, Macy, was present. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from a class of seventh graders, who were asked to fill out daily surveys that recorded their emotions and any additional comments. Responses were averaged and compared in two categories: days with Macy present, and days without her. My goal as an educator is to provide a safe and welcoming classroom, and aside from answering the research question, this information will help me create that environment.

Porphyrins are a class of highly conjugated, macrocyclic, organic compounds. These properties give porphyrins a strong absorbance in the visible spectrum and makes them viable candidates for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). DSSCs are a third-generation photovoltaic cell that converts visible light into electrical energy. Their low cost and low environmental impact give them promise as an alternative to doped silicon solar cells. This project investigates the feasibility of multiple porphyrins for use in a DSSC based on their absorptivity. The main porphyrin derivative of interest to this research was 5-(4-bromophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(corannulene) porphyrin.

This research study takes place in a rural second grade classroom. To find out what method students read and test better with, 6 students were chosen randomly and divided into 2 groups. One group of students read and tested on a school Chromebook, (students read on getepic.com) and the next group read using a paper copy book and tested their comprehension on paper. Preliminary results show that there is no major difference from test scores that one method of reading is better than the other in this quantitative study. Based on the results of this study, teachers can feel more comfortable with students reading digitally since there seemed to be no difference in comprehension scores from both groups.

This study determined the effect of practicing high frequency words everyday to help students memorize them. The strategy I used to do this is using sight word bracelets to write down the word the student is struggling with. Sight words are very important for first graders because this is the year they are learning to read and write on their own and they need to know these words to do so. The participants in the interview were 5 first grade students. The goal for the 5 students involved in this study was to get past all of their kindergaten and first grade sight words. This goal was accomplished and more goals were set. The only limitation to achieve the goals were attendance. Overall, the process has been very effective in the first grade classroom I am in and I will continue to use this strategy in the future.

A rural business expanding into two larger suburban and metropolitan markets presents multiple challenges to elevate brand awareness and be a part of the consideration and conversion phases of the consumer decision-making process. In this agency project case, a roofing and contracting company is attempting to re-brand itself with a new name and open two new locations more than 120 miles apart. The markets differ notably from the company’s current headquarters territory. A targeted strategic marketing plan is suggested for three key segments with sample messaging in multimedia, some digital, some traditional, to boost awareness of the new brand.

A midwestern public university’s business incubation center hosts an annual business pitch competition with teams of students presenting proposals. A marketing communications class serves as an agency to propose a strategic communications plan for the center. Focused engagement strategies for target segments are discussed, including key touch points in digital media, face-to-face engagement and related activities, with sample collaterals for each proposed medium. Resonating themes in content are discussed as well as approaches to evaluating success of the tactics’ outcomes.

As the search for renewable energy continues, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have been studied using various transition metals such as ruthenium, osmium, and platinum as sensitizers. However, these transition-metal dye molecules often require complicated, synthetic pathways that can be quite expensive. As a result, this study focuses on using nickel as an alternate inexpensive transition metal. Previously, the work has focused on investigating the best synthetic route of nickel diimine complexes as sensitizers for the formation of DSSC. The current study continues the synthesis of various nickel complexes but also includes finding the best method to dye the solar cells once the nickel diimine is synthesized to yield maximum efficiency.

Teaching Across Different Subjects studies the effectiveness of the teaching method with the same name. The teaching method is examined in-depth and explained, while providing examples and resources for further research. The teaching method is to teach within one content area and connect information to other contents and outside situations The study takes place within a rural region to determine if the teaching method holds a beneficial and compatible effect with those who receive their education in a rural setting. The study provided also determines if there is a correlation between the students view on the teaching method and the teaching methods success rate. Teaching Across Different Subjects demonstrates research into the topic of a different instructional method that includes the use of content outside a teacher’s contracted subject to teach.

A result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, students have begun to decrease in their self-efficiency skills. When students lack self-efficiency, time is wasted in the classroom, calling for less time for instruction, and more time wasted getting started. The purpose of this quantitative study was to see if positive repetitions increased self-efficiency in a fourth grade class that has 92 students. When each class entered, they were tallied on how many people were immediately self-motivated. The results of this study concluded that positive affirmations had a positive effect on self-efficiency. The fourth grade class has shown fast improvements in their self-motivation. This class will benefit from this study with their newfound skill, taking it with them throughout the rest of their lives.

This study investigates a rural school’s implementation of a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports system. Data was collected through observation of student behavior in one first grade class in relation to the district's application of a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports system. Considering the PBIS framework is an evidence-based approach to improving the overall school climate, data was analyzed according to the students behavior in relation to the PBIS interventions applied. Based on the data and information gathered, this school’s implementation of PBIS was not very effective in correcting student behavior. Through this study, I was able to conclude the implementation was not consistent or significant enough to correct targeted behaviors.

This action research study investigates the relationship between seating style within the classroom and the focus, behavior, cognitive processes, and participation of students. The inspiration of this study comes from one question: Which seating arrangements work to give students the best opportunity to learn, while also allowing them to be comfortable within the learning environment? To find an answer to this question, different seating arrangements were implemented within a classroom for an extended amount of time. Surveys were conducted and completed by the participants to retrieve accurate and honest results concerning the different aspects mentioned above. Pre and post-test percentages were used to calculate the seating arrangement with the largest amount of growth of passing grades from the beginning to the end of each unit. The analysis shows correlation between seating arrangements and different aspects of the study question, but no seating arrangement shows that they positively affect all aspects studied. It can be concluded that seating arrangements affect different aspects of education and should be used based on the specific problem that might be occurring within the classroom.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a bone marrow and blood cancer affecting the body’s myeloblasts, red blood cells, and platelets, leading to anemia and weakness. High levels of HSP90 have been observed in leukemia during rapid cell proliferation. Research has shown that leukemia and other cancerous cells can be destroyed using the compound honokiol. Honokiol is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in the bark of the Asian Magnolia tree and is commonly used as a dietary supplement. It has also been shown to downregulate HSP90. The aim of this study is to investigate the toxicity of honokiol in acute myeloid leukemia in conjunction with HSP90. When HL-60 acute myeloid leukemia cells are treated with varying doses of honokiol, significant cell death is observed in any dosage above 20 μM.

CRISPR-Cas9 is used to investigate gene(s) underlying the limbless (ll) chick

mutant phenotype. The ll mutation has been mapped to an ~2.6 Mb region of chromosome 2. Genes in the targeted region suspected to have a role in limb development include: SP8, Twist1, and NUPL2. Target sequences for guide RNAs (gRNAs) were identified using an online tool and synthesized commercially. Double stranded oligos were ligated into the U6.3>gRNA.f+e plasmid. The newly ligated plasmid was transformed into competent cells, plated onto LB-ampicillin plates, and expanded in liquid culture. A mini prep was performed to isolate plasmid DNA to allow the gRNA production in cells of the chick embryo. Future plans include co-electroporating the oligo containing U6.3>gRNA.f+e plasmid with pCAGG>nls-hCas9-nls-GFP plasmid into HH14 chick forelimb fields. Embryos will be incubated for 24-48 hours to examine limb development compared to the controls.