MADE IN
program
APRIL 12, 2022
IN-PERSON & ONLINE EVENT
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Welcome to Made in Millersville 2022 Greetings from the Provost Welcome to the 9th Annual Made in Millersville student research conference. This will be my first Made in Millersville conference as Provost, and I am excited that we will be able to have a hybrid event this year with some presentations in person and others shared remotely. Students, faculty, and members from the wider Millersville community will come together and interact in person and remotely to enable broad participation. Made in Millersville provides an opportunity for us to gather, discuss, engage, and learn-these are the true foundations of higher education. Our EPPIIC values (Exploration, Public Mission, Professionalism, Integrity, Inclusion, and Compassion) are intermixed into the research, creative, and community-based projects that will be shared during the Made in Millersville conference this year. Students and faculty have been able to explore and create as part of the learning process, and at the same time, students learn about what it is to be a professional in their chosen discipline. As a comprehensive university, our public mission is to educate our students so that they are prepared for the next chapter in their liveswhether that is directly entering the workforce or continuing their education. As our vision states “We will inspire learners to change the world!” Many of your projects contribute in some way, no matter how small, to making positive changes in the world. You have all learned about the integrity required in the creation of new knowledge with an emphasis placed on your discipline. Finally, we want our community of scholars and projects to be inclusive of all members of our community and many projects have compassion at their core as they focus on the needs of others both on campus and in the local community. Having both participated in research projects as an undergraduate and graduate student and serving as a faculty mentor for undergraduate and graduate student projects, I understand how rewarding these experiences can be. I appreciate the hard work that goes into research and creative scholarly projects. I also know that, as frustrating as it can be at times, you learn so much from solving problems when things do not go as expected. I also want to offer my sincerest gratitude to those faculty members who give their time and expertise to serve as mentors. I know the collaboration is incredibly rewarding for both the student and the faculty mentor. Enjoy the Made in Millersville student research conference, learn about what our student and faculty are working on, and engage with the community of scholars we have at the ‘Ville!
Gail E. Gasparich, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
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COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences JOSIAH ACOSTA, DAVID MILAM, REECE MULDOON
ALLEGRA BANKS
Obstacles to Democracy in Southeast Asia
Uncovering Obscure Operetta: Editing Rare Waltzes by Johann Strauss II
This panel addresses important modern challenges to democracy in Southeast Asia. The first study investigates the case of Singapore as a successful modern autocracy. The second study examines outside attitudes towards Myanmar during the Rohingya Genocide. The final study explores tolerance in Indonesia as an obstacle to democracy.
Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) was an Austrian composer most famous for his waltzes such as “The Blue Danube.“ However, not all of his compositions are nearly as wellknown. During my research editing Franzi Ascher-Nash’s transcriptions of rare music, I discovered a sketch of his waltz from one of his rarely performed operettas called “Indigo und die vierzig Räuber”, translated as “Indigo and the Forty Thieves”. Since this operetta is so obscure, I wanted to edit and perform this waltz. My presentation will begin with an explanation on the editing process, followed by a brief summary of the historical context of the operetta, and it will conclude with a performance of this waltz, sung by me and accompanied by my grandmother, Joan Allen, on the piano.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. DAVID OWEN International Studies (BA), Government and Political Affairs (BA), Government and Political Affairs (BA) IN-PERSON KIMBERLY AUGER, NATALIE CLARK, LIZA HARDY, EMILY MCCOMSEY, OSCAR MCDONAH, GABRIELLE RUDIG, MARY KAY WITMER
Focus on Fine Art Metals
FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. KRISTIN SIMS Music (BA) IN-PERSON HANNAH BLAINE
A Look at the Past: The Lost Art of Wood Type
This exhibit showcases individuals who have come together to form a creative community of students who share an appreciation of jewelry and metalsmithing. With common goals of learning new techniques and honing existing skills this group actively engages in meaningful discourse creating an open and honest atmosphere in which growth and improvement thrive. The art pieces in this exhibit convey how artists can work together as peers and colleagues to create meaningful and alluring works of art. All the students participating in this exhibit have learned how to use different metalsmithing techniques to create fascinating and unique art pieces that illustrate important concepts to the individual maker and others around them. This group of metalsmiths wish to share their own creations with other Millersville University students, staff, and administration to inform others of the field of fine art jewelry and metalsmithing. With this exhibition, the students hope to inspire others to think about jewelry and metal work in new and interesting ways.
In this presentation, we will look back at the lost art of wood type. Letterpress printing done using wood type has quickly become a lost art. With technological advances, people began to move away from the old ways of using wooden type and began exploring new ways to create. Due to this, many people were looking to get rid of or throw out wood type. This resulted in the destruction and loss of many sets of wooden type. Since many sets were destroyed and wood type is no longer manufactured, one of the final hopes for this art lies in the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum. Here they collect, maintain, and own the largest amount of wood type in the world. This presentation will discuss wood type, some of its history, and the basis of how printing with it works. It will also discuss the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum and its efforts to keep wooden type alive today.
FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. BECKY MCDONAH MS - Technology & Innovation, Art (BSE), Writing Studies (BA), Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS), Art (BFA), Art (BFA), Art (BFA)
ONLINE ASYNCH
ONLINE SYNCH AIDEN BALDREE, GARRETT KILGORE, GRIFFIN LEIB
Europe: In The Time of Covid This panel explores the Covid-19 policies and pandemic responses of three different countries: Sweden, Poland and Turkey. Similarities and differences in each country’s handling of the unfolding pandemic will be examined against the backdrop of their political systems: Sweden (a democracy), Poland (a democracy with increasing autocratic tendencies) and Turkey (an authoritarian state). FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ROBERT BOOKMILLER Government and Political Affairs (BA), Government and Political Affairs (BA), Government and Political Affairs (BA) IN-PERSON
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FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. NANCY MATA Interactive and Graphic Design (BDES) Students Grants for Research and Creativity
COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
RILEY BOIKE
ISAIAH BOYER
EA New ERA for a New Era: Proposing a Modern Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Opportunity for All or Helpful to None? Investigating Universal Basic Income’s Potential in the US
From the time Representative Daniel R. Anthony Jr. introduced it in Congress to its final 1982 ratification deadline, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) served as a subject for much debate. The ERA never passed, but issues of gender inequality still exist today. This thesis aims to utilize the experience of the failed ERA to develop a new approach to addressing contemporary women’s issues. First, in analyzing reasons why the states never ratified the amendment, this research relies on historical records, editorial pieces from 1923-1982, the time in which political leaders debated the ERA, and previous academic journal articles about the ERA. Next, it combines this information on the original ERA with research on modern women’s rights issues, some of which had existed during the initial ERA debate but politicians and the media had overlooked. Finally, the thesis uses this information to propose a new Equal Rights Amendment that addresses modern women’s issues and older issues ignored by the original ERA. Together, this research combines the problems of a previous policy with contemporary issues to develop a new equal rights policy. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. NIVEDITA BAGCHI Government and Political Affairs (BA)
Universal Basic Income (UBI), a universal, unconditional, cash payment made to all individuals of a given country, has become a vastly controversial topic in recent years. This is especially true in the United States, as politicians such as Andrew Yang have proposed UBI policies as a means of combating the growing 21st century problems of poverty and inequality. This begs the question: How would UBI affect the US economy? Sorting the theoretical and observational evidence from the literature into benefits and costs is the method of analyzing this research question, and it is hypothesized that the benefits of UBI outweigh the costs for the US. Benefits include theoretical arguments such as UBI’s provision of a minimum standard of living, its lack of targeting, and the resulting decreased need for other welfare programs. Costs encompass theoretical arguments outlining UBI’s expensive nature, its negative labor market effects, and its possible failure to achieve intended welfare effects. A discussion of the results of initial studies conducted around the world seems to support the hypothesis that the benefits of UBI outweigh the costs; however, significant flaws in the experiments render the evidence less reliable. Therefore, without full-scale implementation in the US, a clear conclusion concerning UBI’s effects appears unfeasible.
ONLINE ASYNCH
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. SANDRA MCPHERSON Economics (BA)
SADIE BOWMAN
IN-PERSON
A Rabbit’s Place in the Story
SOPHIA CAMACHO
“This project is a grouping of artworks, from physical paintings to digital art, that focus on narratives, emotion, sentimentality, and how these ideas can often intersect. These works explore this intersection through a give and take, where one piece may have a different ratio of themes when compared to another. Where one just barely brushes sentimentality while another drenches itself in it. Through the use of rabbits as a recurring subject, Bowman creates a personal symbol, allowing viewers a chance to see and connect with the art before associating it with the artist.Sadie Bowman is an artist born and raised in Schuylkill County. She will be receiving a BFA with a focus in painting and drawing in 2022 from Millersville University. Bowman has been featured in multiple group exhibitions at Millersville University, such as the 2021 Annual Student Show and Figure it Out! In Swift Gallery.” FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. DOROTHY FREY Art (BFA) ONLINE ASYNCH NOAH BURTON, KRISTINA DIEFENDERFER, JACKSON FOGEL, SAMUEL ROONEY, MORGAN WORTHINGTON
Current Trends in the Global Humanitarian Sector This panel features the findings of five semester long research projects conducted in the capstone course GOVT 456: Global Humanitarianism. Each presentation will focus upon specific developments in today’s global humanitarian sector, including the latest trends and challenges related to internally displaced persons, disability sensitive disaster response, aid localization, civil-military coordination and economic distortion caused by humanitarian assistance. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. SANDRA MCPHERSON Government and Political Affairs (BA), MS - Emergency Management, English (BA), Government and Political Affairs (BA), Government and Political Affairs (BA) IN-PERSON
A Woman’s Story “A Woman’s Story” is a series of works I have been working on over the past two years. I have been deeply engaged in women’s rights and women’s experiences ever since I was able to comprehend that my gender identity was important to me. I have a history of depicting the human figure through drawing and painting, and more than ever I find that the stories of women are the most compelling to me. Stories that are mundane, silly, scary, important, outrageous, gross, angry, and joyful are all worth telling. The colors red, pink, and purple are predominant in these works as well. These colors are stereotypically associated with femininity, but they also have strong symbolism. Red can depict rage, fury and power. Pink is associated with softness and youth. Purple often shows regality, bravery, and darkness. Often, young girls feel as though they have to reject feminine colors in order to be taken seriously, and by using these colors to show all facets of womanhood, I am trying to take back these colors and own them. Gender is truly a spectrum, but for me, finding solace in my gender identity has been extremely important throughout my life and my art. FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. DOROTHY FREY Art (BFA) ONLINE SYNCH MIA CARSON
Digital Portfolio- science writing This portfolio was created to display samples of writing the illustrate my interests and subjects of study. I am an Allied health: sports medicine major with a minor in science writing and chemistry. All my samples are in the science field varying from sports medicine, lab reports and neuroscience. The goal for this portfolio is to provide a platform for all of my work so that employers, admissions boars, and other researchers can view my work in one place. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KERRIE FARKAS English (BA) ONLINE ASYNCH
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COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
GABRIELLA CATHERINES
CHRISTA GUMBRAVICH
My Digital Portfolio Journey
Theatre and the Environment
My project is focusing on my journey in creating a digital portfolio. I want to highlight the pros of having a digital portfolio. What I plan to do with mine. And share a piece or two that I display in my digital portfolio.
This presentation will detail the impact of theatre on the environment, specifically current practices in place to make theatre more sustainable, additional practices that could be in place, the carbon footprint and waste production of theatres, and raising awareness/promoting sustainability in the future.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KERRIE FARKAS Biology (BA) ONLINE ASYNCH
FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. JONATHAN STRAYER English (BA)
CAMERON DISANTO, LUKE SCHWANGER, CLARA STUDDARD
CAMRYN GURECKI
Susquehanna Stories Project Students in this class advocated for the betterment of the Susquehanna River watershed through their writing. We will describe the process of engaging with the land and water, the people who tell its story, and our own journey of finding a voice so that we can contribute. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JUSTIN MANDO English (BA), English (BA), Art (BA) IN-PERSON EMILY GUISE
Reality Checking, Radicalism, and Social Media: A Case Study Of Political World Building In An Internet-Centered Era What does it mean to be ideologically aligned with others, and how do people come to pledge allegiance to extreme claims that are unfit to other’s experiences of reality? This presentation is designed to understand how Americans using social media communicate political and intertwined religious views with others online, and how it affects their grip on our shared experience we collectively identify as reality. Specifically, this presentation will look into what happens when these beliefs go to far, and begin to skew towards political violence. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ADAM LAWRENCE Emergency Management (BS)
IN-PERSON
The ‘Nerves’ of Lolita: How the film adaptations of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel support our cultural perception of sexual assault Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) is known for writing from the perspective of mentally disturbed characters with tragic backstories. One of his most famous works, Lolita, tells the story of a middle-aged professor’s obsession with his twelve-year-old stepdaughter. The stream of consciousness writing style employed by Nabokov allows readers to dive deep into a pedophile’s mind and understand the character’s doomed desires. Since its publication in 1955, there have been two well-known film adaptations of the novel, one in 1962 by Stanley Kubrick and the other in 1997 by Adrian Lyne. James Mason and Jeremy Irons, respectively, were cast as Humbert Humbert in each movie, and neither of their performances were able to truly capture his descent into madness and paranoia. While Mason’s Humbert is known as a cynical, humorous gentleman, Irons’s portrayal makes the character seem pathetic and helpless against temptation. Furthermore, Dolores, known as Lolita, was designed by filmmakers with male viewers in mind, as her skimpy clothing and seductive lipstick imply that she is sexually mature and therefore responsible for her abuse; today, the impact of this over-sexualization is known as “The Lolita Effect”, which has altered society’s views of sexual assault victims. This is a sharp contrast to the innocent, immature, childish depiction of Dolores in the novel. The changes made by Hollywood have stripped the original story of its “nerves,” as Nabokov said in one essay, which earned the novel the title of his masterpiece. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. CHRISTINE GAUDRY English (BA) ONLINE ASYNCH
IN-PERSON CHRISTINA KUZMICK CHRISTA GUMBRAVICH
PLEASE TOUCH
The Anxiety of Love
““PLEASE TOUCH” is a collection of dimensional drawings, paintings, and sculptural works with a focus on materiality. Though eye-popping color adorns the forms from a distance, they are best experienced hands-on. Go ahead! Artist Bio Christina Kuzmick (b. 2000) is currently living and working in Lancaster, PA. In 2022, she will receive a BFA in Art at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She makes paintings and mixed media works with a focus on personal expression and bodily reflection through an eccentric lens. Kuzmick has exhibited in student shows at Millersville as well as Last Line of Defense, an online charity publication. In her free time, she further explores textiles and other materials by making her own clothes.”
My thesis consists of a performance poetry production that I directed, wrote, and staged in Fall of 2021. The story centers around the main character’s experiences with anxiety as she enters into a romantic relationship for the first time. This presentation includes an assessment of the production and the work that went into it, including what I have learned, the steps it took to put on the production, the research involved, and the strengths and weaknesses of the project. FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. JONATHAN STRAYER English (BA) ONLINE ASYNCH Wickersham-Burrowes Award
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FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. DOROTHY FREY Art (BFA) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
SAMUEL MACKEY
HANNAH SMITH
Interning with CAP
On My Way
In this presentation, I will be talking about how I got this internship, where I worked, what I worked on, and the accomplishments that I made during my time. This experience spans over two semesters. Originally, I had applied to an internship that would be in either DC or Dover, Delaware. Due to some miscommunication of which application was meant to be done, I did not receive the internship. However, Dr. Carrie Smith emailed me a couple of weeks later to notify me of an internship opportunity and I hopped on that opportunity immediately. This internship gave me an understanding of the barriers to re-entry, the service groups that work their hardest to help, and organizations. Every day in the office was a day to learn something, whether it be from one of the documents I was reading or something on a personal level. Growth was something that, during the Fall semester, was huge for me as I will explain in this presentation.
This series of paintings is an extension of my interest in applying paint of varying thickness to surface with a brush, knife, and sometimes right from the tube. Interest in perspective as well as textural elements motivate the composition of my work. Additionally, I explore leading lines which draw the viewer in and provoke thoughts about the narrative quality that exists in both the expressionist movements and details. Driving is a topic that feels so personal. Alone for long periods of time in a small space yet surrounded by other people in their own spaces, going their own ways. These scenes are developed from memory in addition to inventive elements and photographic references. The imagery comes from routes I often travel while the color and mood are navigations of personal experiences.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. CARRIE SMITH Sociology (BA) IN-PERSON WYATT PETERS
A New Look at Disaster Communication Models Crisis and risk communication is a topic that has been discussed in the literature for many years. While the topic may not be new, this literature review will examine a sample of the literature already about crisis and risk communication and how it can apply to the whole community. The literature review discusses what is risk and how risks can lead to disasters, how the different crisis and risk communication theories all relate to how we respond to disasters from a federal, local, and personal level. The literature review concludes by offering a new approach based on previous models of crisis communication and how they can be applied to emergency management. Research supports the statement that disaster recovery is more difficult and resiliency is harder in areas that are more vulnerable and in a lesser financial state.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. THERESA RUSSELL-LORETZ Emergency Manaement (BS) IN-PERSON HANNAH SCHILLING
History of Intellectual and Learning Disabilities Define different types of disabilities including Intellectual and learning disabilities. compare and contrast intellectual and learning disabilities. This project will help people understand disabilities and promote advocacy for people with disabilities.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. EMILY BALDYS Applied Disability Studies IN-PERSON
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FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. DOROTHY FREY Art Education (BSE) IN-PERSON MORGAN TOWLE
Men Managing Body Image and Appearance The current study will follow previous research conducted by Frith and Gleeson (2004) that examined men managing body image and appearance using clothing. Clothing is a tool that can be used to assist a positive body image and can also be used to cover up negatively viewed aspects of one’s body. When referring to men, body image concerns are typically seen in the form of wanting larger shoulders, apparent chest muscles or striving to be physically fit. Several issues come in to play with these concerns, including men wanting to be fit but not appearing too skinny. This study will survey a group of men at Millersville University to determine how clothing is used to communicate body image and a desirable appearance. Four primary questions will be asked to gather data based on several factors, including body image feelings and hiding or emphasizing aspects of one’s body. This study hopes to add to the limited existing knowledge on men’s body image and appearance management techniques. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JESSICA HUGHES Speech Communication (BS) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, EXPLORATORY PROGRAM
TYRESHA VAUGHAN-BLANDING
Properly Pronouncing People’s Pronouns With the world reuniting it’s important to recognize others for who they are and misgendering is an important topic that needs to be addressed. Everyone lives their lives differently which should be respected unless it is harming or endangering others however gender expression is not one of those. Just because someone does not agree with the lifestyle of others doesn’t give them the right to blatantly disrespect them. Misgendering is just like someone purposely pronounces your name wrong consistently that is the same concept when someone continuously decides to assume or ignore the pronouns of others. The steps to creating a less hostile environment for those that don’t only limit themselves to she/her/hers and he/him/his pronouns would first be education a lot of the issue is simply that people are ignorant to the fact that there are more than just those two pronouns to describe gender expression. Second would be asking a lot of the time someone’s gender is just assumed instead of being asked what their pronouns are or which pronouns they prefer instead of just giving them pronouns that are assumed and deemed as fact. Lastly respecting the decision of the other person although some may not agree with the pronouns, they choose for themselves it should be respected and they should be approached and addressed as such. Although this will not completely fix the issue of misgendering it is a great guideline for those reuniting with their loved ones and people dear to their heart that may be expressing themselves differently, has changed their pronouns, or even thinking about it. It’ll help both parties understand while still respecting the boundaries of one another. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JESSICA HUGHES Multidisciplinary Studies (BA)
College of Business MITCHELL LAVELLE
Lowe’s Management Concepts Research The paper that I will be researching and writing about is on the management of Lowe’s, a home improvement store that is a well known chain across the nation. I will be looking at four topics: organizational structure and design, strategy, leadership, and human resources. For organizational structure and design I will be looking at formal structure, departmentalization, inter-organizational processes, and type of organization. For strategy I will be researching the industry, vision and mission, and stakeholders. For leadership I will be looking into how managers motivate employees, leadership theories, and motivation theories. Under the topic of research I will look at HR planning, recruitment, training, and performance appraisal process. Information about Lowe’s has come from preexisting knowledge, company website, and third party websites about Lowe’s.” FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ANKUR NANDEDKAR Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS) ONLINE SYNCH
Exploratory Program
IN-PERSON
PEYTON DEVER
MADISON VAUGHEN
Undecided students: Developing a Growth Mindset for College Success
In This Season In This Season is a collection of paintings made in response to emotions and events that stem from seasons of life, as well as their connection to the four seasons of the year. FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. DOROTHY FREY Art Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH MEKDES WOLDU
Diabetes and Mental Health This exhibit will focus on the effects that diabetes has on a person’s mental health. It will explore the two types of diabetes (type I and type II), describing their processes in the body and how it, directly and indirectly, affects’ a person psychologically. Diabetes is one of the top health issues globally and in order to protect and care for our bodies and minds as well as those whom we know that have this illness, we need to be better informed about it. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JUSTIN MANDO Speech Communication (BS) ONLINE ASYNCH
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As an undeclared student entering a new world full of opportunity and experience, stress, major indecision, and frustration may cause a lack of confidence and prosperity in the classroom. To prevent this from happening, developing a growth mindset in the classroom as well as the outside world benefits both the student and the community around them. A growth mindset generates confidence and a pathway to success as it creates a mentality that causes students to progress toward a more self-sufficient path through practice and exertion as well as becoming more focused while exploring different opportunities. This presentation will address the importance of obtaining a growth mindset as an undecided freshman, clarify the characteristics, and show how it positively affects student achievement and eventually a career/major focus. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MARGARET MBINDYO Undecided IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND ADULT LEARNING
College of G raduate Studies and Adult Learning MADELINE BRUNO
KRISTINA DIEFENDERFER
Fine Motor and Sight Word Recognition in Small Group Intervention
Distortive Economic Impacts of Humanitarian Aid
“My research question is, “”How does daily intervention incorporated with the use of fine motor skills influence sight word recognition for a small group of kindergartenaged students?””. The purpose of the study is to investigate if there is a benefit of daily small group intervention while involving fine motor skills for kindergarteners. The focus will be to use play dough to spell sight words during small group time.”
PRYOR BARNES, NICHOLAS E CHASLER, LAUREN HOFFMAN, COURTNEY HURST, MCKENNA RUSSELL, JOHN GUZICK
“The way that the humanitarian funds operate in practice affects communities in need in both a macro and microeconomic capacity; however, the purpose of this research is the exploration of impacts upon local communities in need of aid upon humanitarian economic assistance. Specifically, this research will sift through shortcomings and lessons learned from documented case studies that impact disaster response and resilience upon affected communities. The economic impacts of a local community will already be felt within the crisis, disaster, or conflict at hand. However, what is not always at the forefront of the larger humanitarian response discussions are the effects felt by local communities upon the reception of humanitarian aid. As each region of the world experiences differing disasters and consequences, receiving aid may affect the localized communities in varying levels of economic impact, which can in turn disrupt sustainable development of the area. Consequently, this research will provide foundations for further dialogue regarding the improvement of the economic situations of affected local communities requiring humanitarian aid.”
Tests and Measurements in Psychology
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KIRSTEN BOOKMILLER MS - Emergency Management
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST M.Ed - Early Childhood Education IN-PERSON
Students in PSYC 417/517 developed a psychological scale to measure a construct. As part of the class assignment, students working in pairs created scale items, administered their scale to participants and established its psychometric properties using SPSS. In the early stages of scale construction, students studied the literature. They identified tools that measured similar constructs and examined the content validity of their scale items. Students determined the internal consistency of their scale using multiple measures of reliability and adjusted the final number of items on it to yield the highest Cronbach’s alpha and split-half reliability as possible by using item-to-total correlations. Poorly correlated items were removed and examined for biases and errors. Convergent validity with a similar scale was assessed as well. Students will discuss how they developed their scale and present their findings. The final version of their scale will be shared with MIM participants. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. DEBRA VREDENBURG-RUDY Psychology (BA), MS - Psychology (Clinical), MS - Psychology (Clinical), MS Psychology (Clinical), MS - Psychology (Clinical), MS - Psychology (Clinical), Psychology (BA) IN-PERSON ANNA CLEMENS
The Role of School Psychologists in Mental Health Care and School Climate for LGBTQIA+ Students “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning/Queer (LGBTQ+) students face victimization and discrimination in school on the basis of their sexuality, gender, or gender expression which has an impact on their mental and behavioral health. LGBTQ+ students face additional barriers to getting mental health care. School psychologists are ethically responsible to create space for students to express themselves authentically in a safe school environment. Time constraints and other job responsibilities are major barriers for School Psychologists when supporting LGBTQ+ students. Moving forward, school psychologists must advocate for comprehensive school policies, inclusive curriculum, and Gay-Straight Alliances.” FACULTY MENTOR: DR. LAUREN KAISER MS - Psychology (School) IN-PERSON
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ONLINE ASYNCH SARAH FRANCIS
Influence of Music in Education I will see if music will have an influence on students memorizing the spelling and learning snap words. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST M.Ed - Early C hildhood Education IN-PERSON SARA HERBST
Action Research Project - Early Childhood Education How the implementation of phonological awareness with kinesthetic elements increases the automaticity of blending sounds in nonsense words for 1st graders who are below benchmark. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST Early Childhood Education (Post Baccalaureate Certification) ONLINE ASYNCH
COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND ADULT LEARNING
ANDREW MALMGREN
SHANNON O’LOUGHLIN
Changes in Land Usage in Columbia, PA
The Relationship Between Cognition and Concussions After Recovery
“Lancaster County has seen steady population growth since 2010. This growth in population has accompanied by a good deal of construction, as well as the loss of open space. The purpose of this project is to determine in which municipalities the most new development has occurred, as well as what types of land this development occurred on. Aerial imagery of Columbia, PA and the surrounding areas was acquired as part of the USDA National Agricultural Imagery Program was acquired from the PASDA geospatial data clearing house for the years 2010 and 2019. The Envi software program was used to classify the data into different land cover types. After classification, a raster was exported. Avenues for future research into this topic are many. One possibility is to obtain or create data describing the different zoning types across the county, and compare how these regulations have impacted development.”
Concussions are a leading cause of neurological disorders and cognitive limitations. Athletes most commonly experience concussions and tend to present with the most decline; however, non-athletes are susceptible as well. Much of the literature focuses on cognitive function at the time of injury, or just following recovery. This study aims at assessing cognitive function in those with a history of concussions years after recovery; as well as latency between concussions, the age of first exposure and multiple impacts versus only one. This study hypothesizes (a) that the number of concussions acquired will negatively correlate with cognitive function, and (b) those with a history of one or more concussions prior to age twelve will perform more poorly on neuropsychological assessments than those with a history of one or more concussions after the age of twelve. Thirty participants were asked to complete six neuropsychological assessments and answer a demographic questionnaire. Each test was tested one time. The results showed no correlation between the number of concussions acquired and cognitive function. Significant evidence was found supporting the mean cognition score in those with a history of concussions is lower than those with no history (p = 0.01). Given no participant reported a concussion prior to age twelve, there was not enough power to analyze the second hypothesis. The conclusions of this study suggest no correlation between the number of concussions and cognitive decline, however there are differences in the literature.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AJOY KUMAR MS - Integrated Scientific Applications IN-PERSON JUSTIN MCFAIL
The Effectiveness of a Virtual Escape Room for Teaching Nursing Student APA style Background/Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated many educators were not prepared to make the switch to a fully online environment. Many learning activities were independent self-paced asynchronous modules that lacked engagement. Before the pandemic, escape rooms (ERs) were increasing in popularity and as a tool to improve learning engagement (Morrelle et al., 2020; Veldkamp et al. 2020; Woodworth, 2020 ). However, the use of virtual escape rooms as a learning tool is still a relatively new concept. Additionally, APA is a challenging subject for instructors to teach as it lacks engagement and is often a dull subject matter for students. The combination of ERs and APA style is not well studied. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate if a virtual ER is effective at enhancing students’ understanding of APA style. Theoretical Framework: Gamification appears to be an effective educational tool for increasing satisfaction and knowledge (Gentry, 2019). ERs increase engagement from students and provide an effective method for enhancing learning, particularly of duller subject matters (Morrelle et al., 2020; Veldkamp et al. 2020; Woodworth, 2020). Fewer studies have been done on virtual escape rooms though those found virtual ERs to be more effective than didactic methods (Cates et al., 2020). Methods: We utilized a quantitative approach to data collection and analysis. A convenience sample of post-licensure BSN, MSN, and DNP students was selected to participate. Quantitative data collection methods included pre-test/post-test design, a standardized reference page assignment, and collection of self-reported anonymous demographic data and feedback from both students and faculty. While ERs are typically a structured team-based activity, this model used an individual asynchronous approach. A parallel design was utilized for the ER, meaning that puzzles could be solved in any order, but all puzzles had to be solved to complete the activity. Results & Conclusions: This research is still being conducted and will be completed before March 2022. Results and conclusions are not available at this time. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KELLY KUHNS MS - Nursing IN-PERSON
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FACULTY MENTOR: DR. SHAUN COOK MS - Psychology (Clinical) IN-PERSON MARIAN PANAIT
Self Determination for Adults with Intellectual Disability living in residential settings. This poster will present the links between characteristics of care and levels of selfdetermination for the adults with an intellectual disability who are being served in residential settings. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. THOMAS NEUVILLE MS - Psychology (Clinical) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND ADULT LEARNING
CHRISTINA POWLEY
Consultation in the Real World, Before, During, and After COVID-19 Presented at the National Association of School Psychologists’ Annual Convention, this practitioner’s conversation, Consultation in the Real World, Before, During, and After COVID-19, gathered valuable feedback from school psychologists who specialize in consultation, or who are interested in increasing this area of practice. The discussion explored models of consultation implemented before, during, and after the COVID-19 remote-instruction, and the various face-to-face and teleconsultation models used by practitioners. Participants had the opportunity to share examples, troubleshoot barriers and solutions, discuss technology and ethical considerations, and reflect on next steps for innovation and use of consultation in schools. This presentation will highlight the topics that were discussed, considerations for next steps in the field of school psychology, and the overall experience of co-presenting at a national conference. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. LAUREN KAISER MS - Psychology (Clinical) IN-PERSON Noonan Endowment Award,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
RACHEL PREIBISCH, DAWN WATSON
Attuning to Need: Reconceptualizing “help” in poor rural areas Social isolation is closely linked to overall health and well-being and is a serious concern for those in rural areas. Our research seeks insights into social isolation in poor rural areas by utilizing letter writing between students and community agency participants from a poor rural area as a research methodology. The use of letter writing in research allows participants to be empowered in the research process and exert control and comfort over how their information is shared. In the letters, we observed that community participants relied upon friend and family style relationships and even viewed their agency relationships as such. This suggests that transforming “professional helping relationships” into alliances that are less impersonal might be in order. Such relationships and connections seemed conducive to the development of empowering self-efficacy. This finding prompts questions regarding the type and quality of relationships that are built and sustained by providers at rural community-based organizations. Our observations of community members assuming the role of “helper” and creating their own structures in the absence of adequate infrastructure is prompting new conceptualizations of community. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JENNIFER FRANK MS - Social Work & MA - English, MS - Social Work ONLINE SYNCH JAMESE PRESTON, TERRI PUGH
Race in the Classroom ABBY GABNER, DANIELLE HORNUNG, RACHEL PREIBISCH
MUsings 2022: The Graduate Journal “MUsings 2022: The Graduate Journal continues to be a creative and scholarly outlet for our graduate students as they explore unique topics and share their expertise. This session celebrates the graduate students’ work published in MUsings: The Graduate Journal for Spring 2022. Each issue may feature research articles, short stories, and literary essays. Authors will present their articles, creative work, or personal reflections virtually. The Graduate Editors for Spring 2022 issue are Jordan Traut, Hayley Billet, and Artemis Harris.” FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. JOYCE ANDERSON MS - Social Work, MS - Social Work, MS - Social Work & MA - English ONLINE ASYNCH
The purpose of this study is to determine the level of race related stressors Black BASW and MSW students experience while discussing race in social work programs across central Pennsylvania. The main research question to be explored is: “What factors affect the perceived level of safety and participation that Black BASW and MSW students experience when discussing race in the classroom”? The data collected in this study will inform students’ competency to engage diversity and difference in practice (CSWE, 2015, Competency 2) and create a safe environment for Black BASW and MSW students to learn and engage in discussions regarding race and diversity. Implications from this study will provide insight into fostering inclusion and best practices in order to better prepare students for working with a diverse population in the social work field. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JENNIFER FRANK MS - Social Work, MS - Social Work ONLINE ASYNCH JANELLE SHANK
Land Cover Analysis of Greenland’s Ice Sheet Using Remote Sensing Technology As humans continue to release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the global surface temperature will continue to rise. Increasing surface temperatures lead to the melting of Earth’s ice sheets. The melting of the ice sheets have an influence on weather patterns and cause sea-level to rise. Scientists have estimated that if the Greenland Ice Sheet melted, it would cause the sea-level to rise about six meters (National Snow and Ice Data Center). Fortunately, as humans also continue to combat and adjust to climate change, remote sensing technology can be used to monitor the melting of ice sheets. Analyzing the change in landcover through remote sensing give implications as to what the impacts are of a warming planet. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AJOY KUMAR MS - Integrated Scientific Applications IN-PERSON 10 | M I L L E R S V I L L E U N I V E R S I T Y | w w w. ma d ei nmu. ed ucati o n | # M ade inMU22
COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND ADULT LEARNING
DANIELLE TAYLOR
Applying Classroom Check-Up through Teleconsultation “The purpose of this case study was to gain experience as a consultant-intraining for preparation as a future school psychologist, specifically with the Classroom Check-Up coaching model (2020a), via teleconsultation. This model follows five problem-solving steps to improve student engagement. After the consultant collected virtual class observation data on four occasions and provided performance feedback, the consultee, a fourth-grade teacher, identified increasing her use of behavior-specific praise as an area of desired improvement. The short-term use of the model demonstrated a substantial increase in the teacher’s use of behavior specific praise in her online classroom. Lessons learned from utilizing Classroom Check-Up (2020a) through tele-coaching, implications, limitations, and possible future directions for research will also be discussed.” FACULTY MENTOR: DR. LAUREN KAISER M.Ed - School Psychology IN-PERSON Noonan Endowment Award,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
RACHAEL THOMAS
Increasing Phonics Skills Through CVC Picture Cards “Inquiry Question: How does tapping out cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words from picture cards impact phonics skills for a small group of kindergarten students? Inquiry Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how tapping out individual sounds from cvc picture cards will influence phonics skills for a small group of kindergarten students. The teacher will provide small group instruction using cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) picture cards to integrate “multiple pathways for learning” (Walet, 2011). The picture cards will serve as a visual representation, while saying the word aloud and tapping out the individual sounds will provide an auditory and kinesthetic approach to learning. The teacher will provide the students with a pre-test to gather baseline data. From there, students will view a series of cvc picture cards, then say the word, tap out each sound, write down each sound, and then write the entire word. Through the course of the study, students will be given five different sets of picture cards; one set per each vowel. Finally, it is predicted that consistent exposure to picture cards and the corresponding letter sounds and words will positively influence students’ phonics skills.” FACULTY MENTOR: MR. GEORGE VAITES Early Childhood Education (Post Baccalaureate Certification) IN-PERSON JORDAN TRAUT
Red Dress Project: Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women DANIELLE TAYLOR, SADIE WENTLAND
Lessons Learned from Presenting at a National Conference Attending the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) 2022 conference in Boston, MA was such a great experience! This presentation will focus on our experience as grad students presenting at a national conference, the importance of networking and getting involved in your field of study, and the opportunities for professional development that all Millersville students should take advantage of! FACULTY MENTOR: DR. LAUREN KAISER M.Ed - School Psychology, M.Ed - School Psychology ONLINE ASYNCH Noonan Endowment Award,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
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A Red Dress: the powerful sign of a critical grassroot movement appearing across North America. English and World Languages, in conjunction with the American Association of University Women and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, is working with an indigenous youth artist to construct and install a red dress art display to raise awareness for and honor MMIW on Millersville’s campus. This project will create a permanent art display on campus, specifically in the Arts Humanities and Social Sciences building, McComsey Hall, including a plaque with information on the MMIW efforts and the artwork’s significance. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KAITLIN MONDELLO MA - English IN-PERSON Noonan Endowment Award,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity,
Wickersham-Burrowes Fund for Excellence in the Arts;, President’s Commission on the Status of Women
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
College of Science and Technology TYLER ALTRINGER, KYLE ELLIOTT, ALEXANDER MASSA, SEAN MCFADDEN
An Analysis of Weather Preparedness at Millersville University Hazardous weather events can affect any community at a moment’s notice. Events such as snow, hurricanes, flooding, and tornadoes can significantly impact the residents living in these communities. In March 2020, Millersville University of Pennsylvania became one of 290 nationally recognized StormReady Universities in the country. As a StormReady University, Millersville is committed to providing weather awareness, preparedness, and education for the campus community. In order to meet these goals, a community-based research project has been established to determine the level of understanding of the campus community’s awareness and preparedness related to high impact and hazardous weather events that may affect the university. This study will include a campus-wide survey of all students, staff, and faculty as a starting point along with the development and offering of education and training opportunities to raise the awareness of the campus community and to help them be better prepared. Furthermore, the results of the survey will provide a better understanding of what will be needed for the campus community to be better prepared for hazardous weather situations in the future.
LEAH BARRETT, EMILY DICKENS, DAMIAN DISBROW, LOGAN ELLER, LILLIAN FLYNN, NYOMI GONZALEZEVANS, RVING ROJO-RODRIGUEZ, WYATT STONER, NAYELI TARRAFA, TANYA TRAN
An Analysis of COVID-Related Changes in the Sustainability of Campus Dining Operations in Southeastern Pennsylvania Sustainability in dining operations across Pennsylvania university campuses has changed significantly in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant decline in student enrollments have resulted in shifts in meal plans, decreases in vendingmachine services, and disease-prevention adjustments that have affected sustainability outcomes for campus dining. The present research inventories specific COVID-related changes in dining operations of southeastern and southcentral Pennsylvania private and public institutions of higher education. Particular focus is placed on food procurement and changing campus food inventories. A cross-campus dining survey is analyzed to provide recommendations for optimizing sustainability in campus dining operations.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. SEPIDEH YALDA Meteorology (BS), Meteorology (BS), MS - Emergency Management
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KATHLEEN SCHREIBER Biology (BS), Geography (BA) , Biology (BS), Computer Science (BS), History (BA), Geography (BA), English (BSE), Business Administration (BS), Biology (BS), Business Administration (BS)
IN-PERSON
ONLINE ASYNCH
LEAH BARRETT, CHRISTINA GAVALA
SAVANNAH BELL, ZHANG CHEN, JARED CHIN, MEGAN CLAYTON, ALANA DANELSKI, SIMON JOSEPH, MOLLY LONGO, JHIMM MEJIA, DYLAN ROEDER, JUSTIN SELLMAN, SARA STINCHCOMB, SAMUEL URBAN, MATTHEW VALENTIN, LAUREN WATKINS
The Evolutionary Implication on Diet of Red Flour Beetles Diet and the evolutionary response to changes in diet has implications for population growth and persistence especially in pest populations, but we do not know the possibilities or rate at which diet change can occur. To study this question, we used the flour-pest red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, because they endure a quick generation time which is ideal for evolutionary studies. For flout diets, we chose wheat, corn, millet, and barley due to their variation in genetic relatedness, where wheat and millet are closely related and both are distantly related to corn. Because of the genetic distances between the flours, we predicted that the beetles will have a higher fitness on barley than beetles reared on corn and millet. To test our prediction and allow their diet to evolve, we started colonies of flour beetles on each flour type in August of 2021. In December of 2021, we quantified the fitness of the colonies by placing adult beetles from the colonies onto all four different flour types for 48 hours, removing the adults, and counting the offspring production. Two of the flours with the least genetic distance (wheat and millet) had the greatest number of offspring, whereas corn, the flour with the greatest genetic distance from wheat, had the least number of offspring. Our research is agriculturally important for limiting invasion of these beetles in flour mills and in their products and suggests storage sequences of various flours to slow the reproduction rate. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. CHRISTOPHER STIEHA Biology (BS), Biology (BS) IN-PERSON
Spatial and temporal analyses of fire incidents and their causes in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania This class is based on the PIC Math (Preparation for Industrial Careers in Mathematics) program developed by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The course is designed to prepare mathematical sciences students for industrial careers by engaging them in research problems that come directly from real world. This semester, students in three teams are partnered with the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire to analyzes active fires from 2006 to 2021 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to assess fire risks. Spatial and temporal analyses of fire incidents and their causes are investigated. The association of fire incidents to weather (temperature, humidity, precipitation, etc.) and calendar events (different time of a day, weekdays, weekends, holidays, seasons, etc.) are also explored. The results of this study will help decision making with proactive preventive measures over time and space. FACULTY MENTOR:DR. BAOLING MA Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BA), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Mathematics (BS), Finance (BS) IN-PERSON
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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LAURA BERRY
Bird Nest Livestream This project involves a nesting box and camera system in order to livestream a bird’s nest for extended increments during the day. I plan on observing and recording the nesting behaviors of native Pennsylvanian birds, adapting the study to whichever species chooses to nest in the birdhouse. The livestream will be shared publicly and can be used in the classroom setting for courses such as Zoology, Animal Behavior, Ornithology, etc. I will also be including a citizen science aspect, giving viewers the opportunity to record their own observations about the activities that occur in and around the nest site. Not only will this study be an observation of a bird’s nest, but also an observation of how Millersville students interact with the livestream itself. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AARON HAINES Multidisciplinary Studies (BA) IN-PERSON GEORGE BERSHTEIN
HPLC/Native Gel Study of IcLR Protein Multimerization The bacteria known as Escherichia coli uses pyruvate as a precursor to produce energy to sustain normal functions. However, in cases where pyruvate cannot be produced due to a multitude of factors it switches to glyoxylate as designated energy source. The energy pathway changed is due to aceBAK operon which is regulated by protein isocitrate lyase (IcLR). IcLR binds to pyruvate and glyoxylate to regulate the pathway. To understand the regulation of pathway, the use of size exclusion methods of HPLC and Native Gels was used to further investigate the higher order protein structure. There is a distinct band pattern difference between the IcLR protein and its effected counter parts. This would imply unique multimerization interactions that could affect regulation. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MELISSA MULLEN DAVIS Chemistry (BS) IN-PERSON Students Grants for Research and Creativity
ALANNA BEZAS, LOGAN BONEWITZ, KELLY BRUBAKER, BRIAN FRITZ, JASON HEITMANN, CALEB HIMMELE, MICHAEL ZUBAK
Evaluation of Alternative Concrete as Climate Change Mitigation Measure for Lancaster County, PA The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its Sixth Assessment Report has found that anthropogenic climate change is proceeding, bringing rising temperatures, receding coastlines, and shrinking glaciers and sea ice extent. Mitigation measures to offset climate change have been identified, but their effectiveness and appropriateness need to be evaluated locally. The non-profit organization, Project Drawdown, has determined over 80 techniques to mitigate climate change that are presently technologically and economically feasible at the global scale. Drawdown Lancaster is an independent effort to reanalyze and recategorize the solutions generated by the Drawdown team that have particular relevance and effectiveness for Lancaster County. Twenty-five applicable strategies have initially been identified and require local estimations of the emissions impact, implementation cost, potential long-term economic payback. The effort to date has shown promise that an economical local pathway to carbon neutrality exists. The present research examines the emissions reduction that could take place in Lancaster County employing one of these strategies--alternative cement. Lancaster concrete batch plants are contacted to get annual concrete production quantities. Production inputs are then processed through reference calculations to provide an estimation of emissions reductions that Lancaster County might realize with use of alternative concrete. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KATHLEEN SCHREIBER Emergency Management (BS), Environmental & Spatial Science (BS), Environmental & Spatial Science (BS), Geography (BA), Geography (BA), Environmental & Spatial Science (BS), Geography (BA) IN-PERSON LAUREL BLANCHARD,
An Analysis of the Expectations of Broadcast Professionals on Weather Reels This project analyzes the expectations of Meteorologists, News Directors and General News Managers on weather reels of potential candidates for a broadcast meteorology position. Weather reels in the field of broadcast meteorology are essential to be considered for an open position to show the skills and the versatility of the candidate. News Directors and General News Managers each view weather reels differently than Meteorologists and have different opinions on the order and structure of a reel. An anonymous survey was conducted and sent to Chief Meteorologists, Meteorologists, News Directors, and General News Managers to gauge their opinions on how each profession views weather reels of potential employees. Opinions on a reel are made extremely quickly, especially when trying to fill a position in a reasonable amount of time. The survey asked professionals their opinions on the length, structure, order, and material that should be included in a candidate’s reel. This project is meant to study the social science of the broadcast meteorology industry focusing on how weather reels are perceived by professionals in the news industry. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. SEPIDEH YALDA Meteorology (BS) IN-PERSON
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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
JORDAN BRANCH, DUNCAN GARVIN, SOPHIA GOODSON, MAX MELAND, IAN SMITH, KYLE SMITH, SETH WORLEY
MUNACHUKWUSO CHARLES-MONWUBA, AMANDA MCKEE, ELIZABETH RICKRODE, TAYLOR SCHAUB, ADDALLEY STARR, NGOC TRUONG
Precious Plastics - Shredding and Extrusion
Women in STEM Living Learning Community
A demonstration of recycling machines built by students in the Applied Engineering and Applied Management program.These machines take plastic waste such as bottles and converts it into new products. These machines are meant to be a first step toward creating a large recycling initiative on Millersville’s campus, reducing plastic waste to an absolute minimum.
Women in the sciences are notoriously under-represented. High-impact practices such as Living Learning Communities (LLC) improve student retention and graduation. The Women in STEM LLC is a group focused on building community, networking with local industry STEM experts, and strengthening the professional skills of our members. Our Fall 2021 schedule included a weekend visit to Philadelphia to visit the University of Pennsylvania campus and explore their graduate programs. We also had tough conversations about conflict resolution, being a woman in a male-dominated profession, how to make our resumes and CVs shine, and how to self-care amid the pandemic. Our Spring 2022 schedule features discussions about sexual harassment and how to deal with it in the workplace, resume-building volunteer opportunities at Science Olympiad and Made in Millersville, and a visit to a Rage Room to therapeutically blow off steam. We are seeking to inform the campus community about the LLC so that other women in STEM are aware of the opportunities we offer on campus.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. DOMINICK MANUSOS Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS), Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS), Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS), Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS), Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS), Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS), Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS) IN-PERSON Positive Energy Fund
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KATHRYN ALLEN
Chemistry (BS), Chemistry (BS), Biology (BSE), Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS)
IN-PERSON COLIN COGGINS SEAN BURKE, CECIL HARMONY, DANIEL RISHEL, NATALIE SPRAGUE, EMILY TOMLINSON, SARAH TONJES, MARISSA TRIPUS, NICOLAS WALKER, KORINA WILLIAMS,
Understanding our Ocean World Through Data Investigations Students in Ocean Data Analysis & Presentation (ESCI 468) will present results of their analyses of oceanographic data towards addressing a set of scientific hypotheses regarding the nature of environmental variability in the world ocean.
The Effects of Hypoglycemic Events on Cognitive Function in Mice Oxidative glucose metabolism is essential to maintain proper and stable cognitive function, as deficits in blood glucose levels can impair cognition in humans, mice, and rats. While existing studies have established that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) impacts cognitive processes, further experimentation is needed to establish direct links between blood glucose levels and behavioral performance during cognitive tests. The proposed project aims to elucidate how and when hypoglycemia affects behavior in mice through experimental manipulation of blood glucose levels followed by measurements of performance during well-established cognitive behavioral tests, including Barnes Maze, T-maze, and novel object recognition.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ROBERT VAILLANCOURT Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Ocean Sciences and Coastal Studies (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Ocean Sciences and Coastal Studies (BS), Biology (BS), Ocean Sciences and Coastal Studies (BS)
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. BRENT HORTON Biology (BA)
IN-PERSON
Biology Student Investigator Grant,
SOPHONIE CALIXTE, SIAKA KOSHA, KYLE STUMP
The impact of vaping on human esophageal cells The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette; vape) is considered by many as a safe alternative to conventional cigarettes. Because of this, vapes have been revolutionizing the tobacco industry. While many nicotine users have turned to vapes as a smoking cessation mechanism, vaping has unfortunately become a dangerous trend amongst America’s youth. With millions of minors and young adults across the country vaping on a regular basis without knowing the full effects of e-cigarettes, studies must be conducted to determine the health risks associated with vaping. Very little is known about the potential effects of vaping on any organ system, and almost nothing is known about possible effects on the esophagus. Smoking traditional nicotine cigarettes is a significant risk factor for esophageal cancer, and we hypothesize that vaping will negatively impact factors such as cellular phenotype, viability, motility, and disease progression in the esophagus as well. By examining these effects on human esophageal keratinocytes after vape aerosol exposure, our study will begin to fill a significant gap in knowledge about vaping and will serve to educate minors and young adults. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. HEATHER LEHMAN Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Economics (BA) IN-PERSON 14 | M I L L E R S V I L L E U N I V E R S I T Y | w w w. ma d ei nmu. ed ucati o n | # M ade inMU22
ONLINE ASYNCH
M U-M USE
, Neimeyer-Hodgson Research Grant,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
EMILY DALESSANDRO
REBECCA DRAGER
Evolution of Parasitism: Genetic changes in molecular pathways regulating dauer formation
Synthetic Studies Toward 3,4-Dihydro-2(1H)-Quinolinone Derivatives
Parasitic nematodes infect billions of humans, animals, and plants across the globe, yet the genetic mechanisms that differentiate development of parasitic versus free-living nematode lifestyles remain largely unknown. The dauer hypothesis, a long-standing theory on the mechanisms underlying the evolution of parasitism, posits that the dauer stage of free-living nematodes, such as of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, is a pre-adaptation to the infectious third stage larva of parasitic nematodes and thus similar genetic mechanisms are hypothesized to control both. Dauer formation in C. elegans is regulated by three molecular pathways: insulin/ insulin-like signaling, transforming growth factor beta signaling, and the biosynthesis of dafachronic acids that regulate the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12. We therefore sought to identify homologs of the genes in these three molecular pathways in a monophyletic clade of free-living, facultative, and obligate parasitic nematodes. This was performed by conducting forward and reverse BLAST searches in each of the nematode species using the bioinformatics platform Geneious and NCBI. Results were validated using ClustalW protein alignments and neighbor-joining phylogenetic trees. While one-to-one homologs for many of the genes were found in all of the species examined, other genes showed species- and clade-specific duplications. In future work, we plan to further investigate the parasite-specific genetic differences and determine their overall significance in parasite development. Our findings will allow for a more thorough understanding of parasitism as well as the mechanisms that control it, which will ultimately contribute to the control and prevention of parasitic infections.
Derivatives of 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones are related to riboflavin degradation products, meaning there is expected antimicrobial activity against bacteria strains that lack riboflavin transport mechanisms. 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinones have proven to exhibit antibacterial activity against Gram-negative pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. This project aims to explore the scope and limitations of synthetic routes toward novel 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives. The resulting derivatives will then be evaluated for use in future reactions such as Nitration, Bromination, or BuchwaldHartwig cross coupling. The previously listed reaction pathways may provide access to intermediates with increased molecular complexity or biological activity. Our previous work has shown that 4,4-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one can arise from N-(4-methylphenyl)-3-methyl-2-butenamide, via a Lewis acid catalyzed cyclization. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. STEVEN KENNEDY Chemistry (BS) ONLINE SYNCH Noonan Endowment Award
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JONATHAN STOLTZFUS Biology (BA) ONLINE ASYNCH
BETEL ERKALO
KIRSTEN DENARDO, MADISON MOWERY, RACHEL PARFITT, HEIDI PATTERSON, HANNAH ROBB, EDISON RODRIGUEZ-CURET, DANNY SOWERS, THANG VO, NATHAN WHITE
Monitoring transcription factor IclR-effector binding by Intrinsic Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Inspired by Enzymes Incorporation of creative arts into science, technology, engineering, and math fields, known as STEAM, is a multidisciplinary method used to engage students in creative thinking, design, problem solving, and visual communication within STEM fields. Students in Biochemistry 1 in Fall 2021 completed a half-semester project which challenged them to investigate a unique enzyme’s biochemical properties in the literature. At the conclusion of the project, students created art, broadly defined, inspired by their enzyme to communicate information about the enzyme’s structure, function, mechanism, or kinetics. Example work of student art will be displayed and include physical and virtual artwork inspired by their chosen enzymes. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MELISSA MULLEN DAVIS Biology (BS), Allied Health Technology, Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Chemistry (BS), Nursing (BSN) IN-PERSON
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause deadly infections to millions of people every year. These pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli which is used as a model system in this research, use transcription factors to control cellular response to changing environments and establish infections. Transcription factor IclR regulates the glyoxylate shunt, a significant bacterial pathway. While the effects of activating and repressing IclR are understood, the specificity of its effector molecules is not. This makes the glyoxylate pathway of interest as a therapeutic target in bacteria as it is not found in human cells. The research focused on studying the structure of IclR and its interaction with its small molecule effectors. IclR’s affinity for its small molecule binding partners was evaluated with fluorescence spectroscopy using the intrinsic fluorescence of IclR protein. The binding affinity of IclR with glyoxylate and pyruvate was calculated and compared to literature values. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MELISSA MULLEN DAVIS Chemistry (BS) IN-PERSON Students Grants for Research and Creativity, Murley SURF Program in Chemistry
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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ERIN ESTES, GINA SALERNI
CAMEALA FREED, GINA SALERNI
The Impacts of Stochasticity in a Freshwater Ecosystem Model with Alternative Stable States
Stop The Invasion: Controlling Invasive Species Improves Recovery of Endangered American Wildlife
Freshwater ecosystems are impacted by disturbances including stochasticity (natural fluctuations in population sizes) and nutrient input, which can push a clear, healthy lake into a cloudy, algae-dominated state. At certain nutrient levels, these two states can both persist as alternative stable states, where it can be hard to reverse a transition from one state to the other. To study the impacts of disturbance on freshwater ecosystems, we used the mathematical model of fish populations from Scheffer (1989), where a pike-dominated state is a clear lake and a bream-dominated state is a cloudy lake. We added stochasticity into the model, which we estimated from population data of pike and bream in various lakes. We ran our model at various levels of stochasticity and nutrient levels and quantified the population dynamics, such as proportion of time spent at each state and the time between transitions. We found that with the addition of stochasticity, bream populations never reached the high populations at the cloudy state that were calculated by the model without stochasticity, and that the model with stochasticity actually spent more time at the clear state than the cloudy state. At high nutrient levels, the model without stochasticity stayed in the algae-dominated cloudy state, but the model with stochasticity frequently transitioned from the cloudy state to the clear state. Our results suggest that stochasticity may mitigate the length of time spent at the cloudy, unfavorable state, as well as decrease the severity of the cloudy algae-dominated state.
In the United States (US), the biological invasion of nonnative species (hereafter invasives) is considered one of the greatest threats causing native species to require protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The control of invasives facilitates recovery of Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species under the ESA. However, budgetary cuts have made it hard for the US to protect against invasives and there is no federal process to control invasives. The objectives of our study were to determine the most prevalent invasives and to what extent they impact T&E species. Achieving these objectives helps identify effective strategies to improve recovery efforts for T&E species. We reviewed ESA listing documents for all T&E species in the US and found that nearly half were negatively impacted by invasives, especially Pacific Island species. On the mainland, invasive fish impacted many T&E species through competition and predation, while on Pacific Islands, plants greatly impacted T&E species by altering habitat and ecosystems. We found that feral pigs, goats, and invasive ants impacted the most T&E species, and we recommend that these species be included on the federal list of injurious wildlife. We also recommend policies be established to disallow intentional movement of fish species from one public body of water to another, and that eradication of invasives coupled with habitat restoration efforts be conducted to improve recovery of T&E species.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. CHRISTOPHER STIEHA Graduate Student, Biology (BS) ONLINE ASYNCH M U-M USE
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AARON HAINES Biology (BS), Biology (BS) ONLINE ASYNCH M U-M USE
JESUS GONZALEZ DANIEL FOREACRE
On Building A Mind: The Future of Artificial Intelligence “What is intelligence? How is consciousness related to self-awareness? Is there something special that makes a human mind unique? We don’t know the answers to these questions, but research into artificial intelligence (AI) may point us in the right direction. The goal of creating an AI that can think and learn at a human level could be considered to be the most difficult problem in machine learning, and one that may not even be possible to solve. One potential path towards this goal is in emulating the one structure we absolutely know has accomplished this -- our own brains. And this would begin with creating an accurate model of the brain’s building block, the neuron. This work is a replication of a 2021 paper authored by David Beniaguev, et al, “”Single cortical neurons as deep artificial neural networks”” which is a novel neural network model of a neuron. A copy of the model was created using the source code provided by the authors and an entirely new data set was generated using the same mathematical neuron model as described in the paper. The neural network model was then tested to observe if the model still produced the same results on a different data set. This presentation is a summary of the performance of the model on that data.” FACULTY MENTOR:DR. JINGNAN XIE Computer Science (BS) IN-PERSON
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Incorporation of Alanine in place of Glutamic Acid 121 in E.Coli Bacteria must adapt to their environment to survive various change in conditions such as temperature changes, water scarcity, or even malicious molecules. One of many survival methods includes glyoxylate bypass, an alternate route that skips any CO2 evolving steps in the Kreb Cycle. The bypass is regulated by a protein known as the Isocitrate lyase regulator (IclR). This protein compromises DNA binding domain and binds to pyruvate and glyoxylate molecules. We will be preforming mutagenesis by incorporating Alanine in place of Glutamic Acid 121 to see if it will disrupt protein multimerization. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MELISSA MULLEN DAVIS Chemistry (BS) IN-PERSON Students Grants for Research and Creativity
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
JEROMY GREGORY-DAMICO, CONNOR HEALEY
MADISON HOLMES
Salinity Stress Response in Arabidopsis Thaliana
The role of the CENP-C terminus in Drosophila meiosis
Long Noncoding RNA is essential in the synthesis of protein and in Arabidopsis thaliana, a resistant and globally naturalized plant from central Europe, long noncoding RNA has been shown to correlate to salinity as a stress response. The goal of our research is to grow Arabidopsis thaliana in varying saline stress environments to determine and assess the LncRNA expression to see if there is a correlation between salt levels and LncRNA expression. Results from this research could be used to help design salt resistant crops in agriculture.
“Aneuploidy, the state of having too many or too few chromosomes, is the leading genetic cause of infertility and birth defects. Aneuploidy is predominantly linked to errors in meiosis I of the oocyte (egg). It’s also characteristic of tumor cells indicating that mechanisms of chromosome segregation are important not just for fertility, but human health in general. This project focuses on the conserved protein CENP-C which acts as a bridge between the centromere (part of the chromosome itself) and the kinetochore (the protein complex responsible for segregation). Previous work in the lab has identified functions for CENP-C early in meiosis (pairing of chromosomes) and later in meiosis (kinetochore building). To study these functions separately, we attempted to create CENP-C mutants that would affect the early function, but not the late function during meiosis. Using Drosophila melanogaster as our model system, we mutated regions in the C-terminus of the protein that are presumed necessary for interactions with CAL1 (a chaperone protein). CAL1 is known to be important for building a centromere and is required for recruiting CENP-C to the centromere during early meiosis. This interaction does not occur later in meiosis. Therefore we hypothesize, that by mutating the CAL1 binding site, eggs will exhibit defects in chromosome segregation due to kinetochore failure, but not reduced fertility due to pairing defects seen in early meiosis. This semester we have begun characterizing one of these mutants to identify the effects on meiotic chromosome segregation by quantifying rates of fertility and aneuploidy.”
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MELISSA MULLEN-DAVIS Biology (BS), Biology (BS) IN-PERSON AUSTIN HARRISON, NIKKI LEE, KERRI MARTIN
The influence of research-mediated insect by-catch of non-target species on declining insect biomass The ecological role of insects, such as in medicine and food production, benefit other organisms as well as humanity, however, insect by-catch can lead to a shortage of these essential resources when trapping results in the decline of non-target populations. The objectives of the study were to evaluate a longitudinal study on non-target insect bycatch to quantitatively measure the impact on diversity and biomass reduction of nontarget insect by-catch. By-catch samples were collected prior to our study from May to October of 2016–2018 by researchers at Fort Indiantown Gap during an intensive trapping program part of on-going research with the Bureau of Environmental Management Program and PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on the invasion of non-native weevils, Family: (Curculionidae). From this data we aim to 1) estimate the diversity and relative abundance of by-catch insects and Walnut Twig Beetles; 2) determine the biomass loss of by-catch insects vs. twig beetles; and 3) a temporally compare by-catch and invasive beetle abundance and biomass reduction from 2016-2018. Our prior hypothesis was that by-catch insect diversity, abundance and biomass would be negatively impacted from the FIG trapping program. So far over thirty sets of samples from 2016 to 2018 were chosen randomly and analyzed regarding insect biomass. Our findings are evidence that research studies utilizing indiscriminate trapping for longitudinal research on invasive species may result in significant negative impacts on insect diversity and abundance on non-targeted populations of insects. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JOHN WALLACE Biology (BS), Biology (BS), Biology (BS) ONLINE SYNCH Biology Student Investigator Grant
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JESSICA FELLMETH Biology (BS) IN-PERSON Biology Student Investigator Grant
KYLE JOHNSON, ALEX KLUCHER, ANDREW MALMGREN, AUSTIN SHERIDAN
Pollution Variability in Urban Environments Air quality is an important environmental factor that affects those living in medium and high-density communities. However, due to various limiting factors, the air quality data gathered from urban environments often only comes from one or two locations per city and may not be representative of pollution concentrations elsewhere within the urban air shed. Pollution Variability in Urban Environments (PVUE) was a student-led project designed to address delve into this issue. Our goal was to gather air quality data, specifically, ozone and particulate matter concentrations, from across the urban landscape in cities across Pennsylvania (PA) and compare our measurements to the data collected at the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) monitoring sites. Our research team also recorded meteorological data (temperature, pressure, and wind) to assess biases in measured pollution variability due to weather factors. These ozone and particle measurements were obtained using a 2B Technologies Ozone Monitor that relies on photo-absorption, and a TSI Optical Particle Sizer (OPS) and Scanning Mobility Particle Size Spectrometer (SMPS). Weather data was gathered via vehicle-mounted instruments. The data collected during summer 2021 are being processed, analyzed, and put into a format for ingestion into GIS, along with data extracted from the 2020 U.S. Census. Overlays of these data fields are used to search for correlations between these different variables to see whether they support our hypothesis that low-income and high population density neighborhoods within cities experience higher concentrations of ozone and particulate matter, both of which are known to have adverse health effects. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. RICHARD CLARK Meteorology (BS), Meteorology (BS), Meteorology (BS), MS - Integrated Scientific Applications IN-PERSON
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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
HANNAH KANE
LANDON KURTZ, AMANDA MCKEE
Vitamin D and its Effect on Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Thiophenes Incorporated into Covalent Organic Frameworks
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive and lethal manifestation of locally advanced breast cancer with the ability to migrate and invade throughout the body. As with nearly all cancers, metastasis is the primary cause of death in IBC patients. The difference lies in the rapidity in which IBC progresses, appearing metastatic upon inception. The ability of IBC cells to invade through the extracellular matrix is one of the key components of the disease’s metastatic potential. Interestingly, Vitamin D has been shown in other types of breast cancer to inhibit the invasive capabilities of cells. Our study examines the potential effects Vitamin D may have on the invasive properties of in vitro IBC cells, and expression of key molecular players in invasion such as Akt/PIK3 and NFkB. We hypothesize that treating IBC cells with Vitamin D will lead to a decrease in the migratory and invasive capabilities of the cells.
Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) are vast, complex macromolecular structures that are porous. This makes them an easier, cost-efficient way to capture hazardous gases (i.e. carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxides). Our project intends to incorporate thiophenes into COFs, which renders the pores polar. We will use NMR and IR instruments at Millersville University to help identify the compounds we will use to make the COFs. Our collaborators at John Hopkins University will help us analyze the actual COFs with X-Ray Diffraction. After we analyze these new COFs, we will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. HEATHER LEHMAN Biology (BS) IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KATHRYN ALLEN Chemistry (BS), Chemistry (BS) IN-PERSON
Neimeyer-Hodgson Research Grant,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
Biology Student Investigator Grant
ELEFTERIA PAPAVASILIS LANDON KURTZ, AMANDA MCKEE
Thiophene-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks with Alkoxy Chains for Improved Crystallinity Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) are large, porous, crystalline structures formed by the reversible combination of two or more junctions. COFs have the potential for use in gas adsorption and catalysis, which are therefore desirable materials to develop. We used a tetrathiophenyl benzene-based junction and a pyrene-based junction to create COF-1. However, the carbon-carbon bond of the thiophene-benzene freely rotates, which decreases the crystallinity of COF-1. To reduce this free rotation, we then incorporated alkoxy chains at the 1,4 positions of the benzene ring of A. This incorporation increases the tilt of the thiophene propellers relative to the benzene ring, because of electrostatic and steric interactions between alkoxy and thiophene. COF-2 was created from this modified tetrathiophenyl dialkoxy benzene-based junction with a second pyrene-based junction. All monomer units were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS, IR, and TLC. COF-1 and COF-2 were characterized by Dr. Thoi’s group at John Hopkins University, using X-ray diffraction and testing the crystallinity before and after drying the COF under supercritical carbon dioxide. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KATHRYN ALLEN Chemistry (BS), Chemistry (BS) IN-PERSON
Neimeyer-Hodgson Research Grant,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
Bathymetry and Mapping of Lake Allure, Quarryville, Pennsylvania Freshwater lakes and flooded quarries are important for SCUBA divers in training. In 2020, Lake Allure in Quarryville, Pennsylvania was selected as a dive training facility by Lancaster Scuba Center. During the Spring and Summer of 2021, a survey of the lake was completed to determine the bathymetry of the lake, identify areas that would be most conducive to SCUBA training, and identify potential hazards. Shallow water surveys at the entrance to the lake were conducted using Millersville University’s remote operated vehicle “Dora” to assess the benthic features of the lake and record fallen trees and other potential entanglement hazards. Mapping of deeper sections of the lake was conducted using a Garmin Echomap UHD 63CV + Transducer mounted on a kayak. Transects measuring 80’ x 100’ were paddled while depth soundings were made every 20 feet and recorded in a notebook along with the longitude and latitude. The data were then converted for use in Ocean Data View® to produce a contour map of the lake. The bathymetric survey of Lake Allure illustrates bottom features and depths throughout the lake and highlights potential hazards such as deep water, rock falls, and fallen trees. This research successfully demonstrates the use of multiple technologies for creating detailed bathymetric maps of small inland lakes and serves as a model for mapping other potential SCUBA dive training facilities. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AJOY KUMAR Biology (BS) IN-PERSON Biology Student Investigator Grant,
Library Research Fellows Program, M U-M USE,
Neimeyer-Hodgson Research Grant, Noonan Endowment Award,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
KATIE PHEYSEY
VICTORIA SCHMIDT
Comparison of Three Imputation Methods on a CDC COVID-19 Case Surveillance Database
Development of an aptamer biosensor
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial for researchers to have complete databases of patient data to monitor the evolution of the pandemic, as well as the ways in which various demographic factors influence the process and outcome of an infection. Publicly available databases make this information easily accessible. However, the large quantities of missing data in these databases make analyses with these databases risky due to the possibility of bias. Imputation methods are used to estimate values of missing data using the non-missing values in statistical techniques. This presentation demonstrates the use of three well-established methods of imputation on one variable in a CDC COVID-19 case surveillance database: logistic regression imputation, predictive mean matching imputation, and EM Algorithm imputation. The resulting datasets are analyzed using log-linear modeling. In illustrating and comparing these imputation methods, we hope to provide a starting point from which these and other methods can be applied and compared to this database, such that the database can be used in further research. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JAMES FENWICK Biology (BS) IN-PERSON ANAMARIE REINEBERG
Understanding Neural Crest Cell Regulation During Turtle Shell Development The turtle has evolved a defining structure, its shell. The ventral bones of the turtle shell arise from neural crest cells (NCC); a population of tightly regulated precursor cells with a variety of migration paths and differentiation potentials. The fate of each NCC is controlled by a Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) which is thought to be a main molecular difference between NCC subsets. In other previously studied model vertebrates, only the NCCs which migrate away from the brain, known as Cranial Neural Crest cells (cNCC), display the ability to differentiate into cartilage and bone. Turtles display two waves of NCC migration rather than the single migration period observed in other well-studied vertebrates. The first period of migration occurs at a similar developmental stage as trunk NCC migration in other vertebrate embryos and appears to be involved in producing the same cell types. However, the NCCs that leave the neural tube during a second, later stage appear to form the ventral bones of the turtle shell. The observation that these later trunk NCCs are involved in bone differentiation has led to the hypothesis that there are differences in the genes they express and those expressed by the early trunk NCCs. This project aims to examine gene expression of the cranial- and trunk-specific NCCs in turtle embryos. In this presentation, I will outline the project’s biological importance, methodology, and preliminary results.” FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JUDY CEBRA-THOMAS Biology (BS) ONLINE SYNCH Biology Student Investigator Grant,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
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This research is to develop a biosensor with aptamers to measure the concentration of myoglobin in a solution. Biosensors are used to detect molecules at low concentrations in bodily fluids. In the past, antibodies were used as binding agents on the sensors. Only recently have binding agents been changed to aptamers. Aptamers are short strands of DNA or RNA which have been synthesized in a lab to bind to specific analytes, in this case myoglobin. Myoglobin is a protein that is released in the blood during or after a heart attack. In this project, a biosensor based on aptamers can be constructed and used to measure myoglobin in a solution. The experimental procedure uses Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) as the method of analysis. EIS is an electrochemical technique that measures the impedance at the surface of an electrode. If an aptamer-based biosensor for myoglobin can be successfully developed, it has the potential to be used in the clinical monitoring of patients with heart disease.” FACULTY MENTOR: DR. LYMAN RICKARD Chemistry (BS) IN-PERSON ZACHARIAH SEVERN
Uses and Characteristics of Stereolithography in Small Parts Casting “This independent study was an investigation into the use of a Stereolithography (SLA) or Resin printer to produce 3d models intended for the investment Casting Process. Three-dimensional printing for investment casting has become an increasingly popular method of producing complex castings and is widely used in a variety of industries such as aerospace, medical fields, manufacturing, and defense industries. Using the 3D printing process allows engineers and designers to iterate faster and quickly produce parts without having to go through traditional , time-consuming mold making processes. With the rapid integration of this technology however there are still many things that need to be improved. With this in mind, the goals of this study and were to identify: SLA, DLP, and LCD Printing Techniques Processes. Improvement of the investment casting process using strategies that would be cost effective in small scale production, or for educational institutions. Exploring how sprue design and placement impacts the ability to burn out the investment pattern when using traditional jewelry investment mixes. Creating a set of procedures that will allow success in the smallscale creation of 3D printed models that will be used for investment castings” FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ALEX JOHNSON Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LEILANI SMITH
NATALIE SPRAGUE
The effects of glyphosate on mosquitofish (Gambusia Holbrooki) behavior and physiology
Dissolved Oxygen in the Longhurst Ecological Provinces
Waterway pollution is a prevalent issue, but not all pollutants have been properly analyzed. Recent research has indicated that glyphosate (the active ingredient in a widely used herbicide) may have endocrine-disrupting properties. I examined the effects of Roundup© and its active ingredient, glyphosate, on male eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). I exposed the fish to an environmentally relevant concentration of glyphosate and a solution of Roundup© that had an equal concentration of glyphosate. Fish were exposed for 48 hours to simulate exposure periods that they would face in natural conditions after a rain event. I observed individual behavior of the exposed fish as well as their interactions with a potential mate (a female mosquitofish) and a potential competitor (a male mosquitofish). After I completed the observations, the fish were sacrificed and placed in a freezer for further analysis of cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone steroid hormone abundance. Aquatic species are exposed to a wide range of environmental pollutants, through this work I aim to gain insights into how wild organisms are impacted by exposure in nature. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ISAAC LIGOCKI Applied Engineering and Technology Management (BS) IN-PERSON
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
The purpose of this study is to determine the current state of dissolved oxygen in regions defined by the Longhurst Ecological Provinces. Dissolved oxygen is an important variable to consider when assessing the conditions of an ecosystem. Therefore, a comprehensive study of the state of dissolved oxygen in the world’s oceans is important to understanding the physical and biological processes occurring in each region. Specifically, it can reveal how physical processes, such as mixing, climate change, and upwelling, can affect primary production and the ecosystem as whole. A part of this study is to also compare dissolved oxygen concentrations to chlorophyll-a concentrations to investigate the relationship between dissolved oxygen and primary production in each Longhurst Province. This study uses dissolved oxygen data from biogeochemical Argo floats in the Longhurst Ecological Provinces. Chlorophyll-a, temperature, salinity, and potential density are other factors that were considered when analyzing the state of dissolved oxygen. The findings are that in many of the provinces studied, the trends in dissolved oxygen are not consistent with previously observed concentrations, and there is a direct relationship between dissolved oxygen concentrations and chlorophyll-a concentrations. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AJOY KUMAR Ocean Sciences and Coastal Studies (BS) IN-PERSON SARA STINCHCOMB
Modeling the Population of White-Tailed Deer in New Jersey ALAN SNAVELY
This presentation will look at applying the Logistic Population Model to real-world data. The presentation will describe the model itself, the process of data fitting to the New Jersey deer harvest data, and other important information that can be derived from the model.
Bringing back hemp: pioneering the microbiome of a new agroecosystem
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. BAOLING MA Mathematics (BS)
Cannabis sativa (L.) is perhaps one of the most infamous plants worldwide – leading to a history of prohibition. Consequently, little is known about the plant. Hemp, the drug-free brother of marijuana, is exploding in popularity. With products such as cannabidiol, hemp seeds, natural fiber, Cannabis has many uses. The demand for these products is increasing while our knowledge of its production remains stagnant. The hemp crop is expected to be rotated with other important crops in Pennsylvania like soybeans, effectively creating a novel agroecosystem. It is imperative that we understand the microbial composition of the hemp and soybean rhizosphere in order to optimize crop rotation sequences. The goal of this project is to pioneer the hemp microbiome in PA by determining which bacterial taxa hemp and soybeans have in common at the soil level, as well as determining the effects of phenology. Understanding the microbial community is key to the successful production of hemp. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. LAURA RAMOS-SEPULVEDA Biology (BS) IN-PERSON
Biology Student Investigator Grant,
Library Research Fellows Program, M U-M USE,
Neimeyer-Hodgson Research Grant,
Students Grants for Research and Creativity
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IN-PERSON MATTHEW TEARE
An Evaluation of the Climate Prediction Center’s Analog Forecasts During the 2020–21 Meteorological Winter The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is the branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) that specializes in climate monitoring and prediction, which are crucial tasks that influence how the United States prepares for impending weather conditions. Analog forecasting—which is making predictions about future weather patterns based on past dates with similar, or analogous, patterns—is one method that’s applied by the CPC; an example of this is the CPC’s two daily-issued outlooks for 8 and 11 days in advance respectively. This project evaluates how well their two outlooks verified during the 2020–21 meteorological winter, as well as to what extent their analog sets hinted at significant weather patterns beyond their forecasting window. Notable about this winter is its deviation from other pattern predictors such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which provides a point of interest for how well the CPC’s analogs fared against other established forecasting methods. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. SEPIDEH YALDA Meteorology (BS) ONLINE SYNCH
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SARAH TIRADO
Determining MouseCam success while conducting Rapid Biological Assessments Rapid biological assessments (RBAs) evaluate the ecological conditions of animal communities to determine the overall condition of an ecosystem. Understanding the composition of animal communities allows for better habitat management practices and efficient conservation efforts. An RBA was conducted for small terrestrial mammals to determine the species richness and diversity in two maritime forest communities (i.e., conifer and deciduous) at the Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the deciduous forest of Millersville University’s Biological Preserve. Data was collected using Sherman traps and a novel camera trap, MouseCam. Results from each trap were then compared to determine the efficacy of MouseCams relative to Sherman traps. Both trap types yielded similar results, but MouseCams required significantly less cost, time, and labor to manage. While MouseCams proved to be successful, diversified trapping methods would improve RBAs when utilizing MouseCams in the future. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AARON HAINES Biology (BA) ONLINE SYNCH MARISSA TRIPUS
Analysis of the Northeastern Pacific Marine Heatwaves Marine heatwaves have slowly started to become an increasingly important phenomenon in the ocean. These events are doubling in frequency and are becoming more intense when they occur. The occurrences of marine heatwaves happen around the world, in every ocean basin. However, for this specific investigation, the Northeastern Pacific, around the Gulf of Alaska, is focused on. With the use of data via satellites, a top-down view of the basin is used to analyze sea surface temperatures. Sea surface temperature data will serve as a stepping-stone towards a further analysis of marine heatwaves. Investigating the teleconnections and their phases can provide useful data for future predictions of when these phenomenon events occur and the conditions building up to them. The other important aspect of these events are the consequences and impacts on the affected environments. Marine heatwaves impact the ecosystems and environments they occur similarly to heatwaves’ impact on humans on land. Organisms flee the environments under these harsh conditions. This has resulted in species leaving their native waters and migrating to new locations. The food web of the impacted regions is also being heavily impacted. With the documented increase in the frequency of marine heatwaves, there are going to be more disturbances in the ecosystems. To be more prepared, we need to better understand the delicate nature of marine heatwaves. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. AJOY KUMAR Ocean Sciences and Coastal Studies (BS) IN-PERSON
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NICOLAS WALKER
A preliminary morphological study of Fundulus majalis Striped Killifish (Fundulus majalis) are a widespread coastal fish along the Mid-Atlantic coast. This species displays unique sexual dimorphism – males display vertical bars on their lateral sides, whereas females have horizontal stripes. Due to these unique characteristics, striped killifish have the potential to be a model species for examining the development of secondary sex characteristics, and potentially as a bioindicator species for endocrine disrupting pollutants. The focus of this study was to acquire preliminary morphological data on these fish, specifically GSI (Gonadosomatic Index) and HSI (Hepatosomatic Index) and to examine variation in each in relation to external anatomy (stripe pattern and geometric morphometric analysis). I examined 12 adult males, 12 adult females, and 6 juvenile fish that had not yet developed adult patterning. Preliminary analysis indicates a positive correlation between GSI and body mass, but no relationship between HSI and body mass. These fish were collected in conjunction with the Millersville University course BIO 396 – Marine Ichthyology offered at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station during the summer of 2021. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ISAAC LIGOCKI Ocean Sciences and Coastal Studies (BS) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
College of Education
&
Human Services
NIEMA ABDULLAH
MARGARET ANDERSON
Student Teacher Action Research Project
Paired Reading Intervention
The purpose of this study is to examine ways in which the teacher can meet the needs of a small group of gifted learners, while also promoting active engagement during whole group instruction in areas of science and social studies. This research project answers the question: How do we enrich a small group of gifted learners, during general social studies and science instruction, while still adhering to the outlined curriculum, in a 4th-grade Spanish immersion classroom?
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of paired reading when seeking to improve students’ verbal expression. It examines the question, how does paired reading influence oral expression for a small group of fourth grade learners?
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH NIEMA ABDULLAH, CAROLINA HIDALGO-AHMED, KATHERINE MCLAUGHLIN, RASHEED OSMAN
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST Special Education/Early Childhood Education (BSE)) ONLINE ASYNC AMBER BAKKE
Sound Walls How phoneme sound walls in the classroom influence a students proper pronunciation of a word.
Ubuntu Leaders Fellows Program: Addressing the Global Goals through Community Based Projects
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE)
“The Learning Institute’s mission is to advance social justice and human rights. The agency pursues these goals by raising awareness, increasing knowledge, and enhancing skills that promote justice, advocacy, and activism. The Learning Institute created the Ubuntu Leaders Fellows Program (ULFP) to promote global citizenship by fostering the realization of Sustainable Development Goals. A significant component of the ULF program is the Ubuntu theory, which holds that “”I am because we are.””At ULFP, we strive to create transformative leaders who are selfless, humble, and willing to sacrifice for the benefit of their community. Leaders who work well with others despite differences and work collectively towards achieving sustainable development goals. The implementation of the Ubuntu Leaders Fellows Program at Millersville University has proven to improve these emerging leaders’ skills in these four-focus areas: Group working skills, Leadership skills, Social Justice knowledge, Sense of community. Three female undergraduate students from three majors are participating in the ULFP 2021/2022 academic year. Fellows are required to design a research project that responds to at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) outlined by the United Nations General Assembly. The purpose of our presentation is to share the mission, goals, and structure of ULF; provide an overview of students’ projects; share an overview of initial outcomes; and discuss lessons learned.”
IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. KAREN RICE Early Childhood Education (BSE), Social Work (BA), Speech Communication (BS), MS - Emergency Management ONLINE ASYNCH KRISTA ANDERSON
Written Math Responses Students are given a multi-step word problem and will be graded with the four star method. One point is given for the following; Correct unit, Current number model, Correct answer and an appropriate explanation. Students will be given a baseline test with little to no instruction and it will be graded with the four star method. The implementation of showing students how to draw out the number model with pictures and give them the knowledge of how to interpret how they solved the problem correctly in order to create a written response. Once a week a single word problem will be given to students as a whole class to monitor their progress. Scaffolding step by step the process of how to solve and interpret a multi-step word problem using the four start point method will lead to growth as a whole class. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON 22 | M I L L E R S V I L L E U N I V E R S I T Y | w w w. ma d ei nmu. ed ucati o n | # M ade inMU22
ANALISET BALDWIN
Fluency and Comprehension in Spanish Over the course of several weeks, students in a second grade Spanish Immersion program were tested on fluency and comprehension of fiction and nonfiction texts. Teachers conducted a running record for students to assess how many words per minute each student read. After the initial reading, students were asked to identify the main idea and list three details from the passage in chronological order. During the week students used the Friends Learning and Growing(FLAG) intervention model where they read the same passage with a partner for ten uninterrupted minutes three times a week and practiced retelling. At the end of the week students were assessed a second time. Students showed great success in both fluency and comprehension in Spanish by the end of each week. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON KELLI BASIURA
Graphic Organizer Use for Written Responses in Social Studies The purpose of this study is to enhance students’ writing skills in a subject area other than English Language Arts (ELA): Social Studies. Social Studies is a discipline that can assist students greatly in their reading and writing development outside of ELA class. Over the course of this study, students will develop their skills in organization of written responses through graphic organizer use and teacher modeling. The PA Core Standards has specific requirements for reading and writing in social studies and the application of the intervention in this study meets those requirements. With this intervention, students will draw evidence from historical and informative texts to produce clear and coherent written responses. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST Social Studies Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
DEBORAH BERNSTEIN
ALEXIS CANCILA
Book Club
Increasing Fact Fluency Through Repetition and Research Based Interventions
A book club has a powerful impact in influencing young learners in a 3rd grade setting to improve their fluency skills while simultaneously building their social skills.
During my student teaching experience, I have implemented repetition and researched-based math interventions to increase math fact fluency. The goal is for students to be able to recall their multiplication facts with automaticity. I have chosen a small group of 5 students who would benefit from practicing their fact fluency. I will be using various interventions such as the cover copy compare, rocket math, and skills and drills to help them improve their math fact fluency. The students will be pre-assessed and post-assessed to assess their growth in multiplication fact fluency.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH LUKE BLIZZARD, MICHAEL BURNS, LAUREN COCA, JACKSON HARRAL, WESLEY HOUSE, NATHAN TAGERT
Precious Plastics - Extrusion A demonstration of recycling machines built by students in the Applied Engineering and Applied Management program. These machines take plastic waste such as bottles and converts it into new products. These machines are meant to be a first step toward creating a large recycling initiative on Millersville’s campus, reducing plastic waste to an absolute minimum. FACULTY MENTOR: MR. CHARLES STRICKER Applied Engineering and Technology (AT), Applied Engineering and Technology (AT), Geography (BA), Applied Engineering and Technology (AT), Applied Engineering and Technology (AT), Applied Engineering and Technology (AT) IN-PERSON SAM BOTNICK
Navigating a Successful Transition into the Future
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON SAMANTHA CHIODA
Success with Story Maps? With students previously attending school remotely, comprehension during English Language Arts has not been as strong as in years past. To increase comprehension in time for PSSA’s, students will be using story maps to have an active process of meaning-making that occurs before, during, and after reading. This will allow an increase in scores during reading assessment in class. FACULTY MENTOR: MR. GEORGE VAITES Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH SARAH CONROY
No one Transition plan is the same, navigate the essentials for having a successful transition into life after high school for students with disabilities.
Will the use of a visual aids impact students automaticity in writing short answers using direct instruction for 3rd grade learners?
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. THOMAS NEUVILLE Applied Disability Studies
Through Howard Gardener, we have learned that students learn in many different ways some more visual than others. So it is crucial that when teaching information to students; to integrate both visual displays or what the Review calls ViDis and text and not just one. According to research done by the Educational Psychology Review, “Only when students are able to integrate information from both sources (ViDis and text) can using ViDis yield positive effects.” (Guo, et.al., p.649). Additionally, graphic organizers are another form of visuals that support students writing. The International Journal of Learning Sciences supports this idea they found that students who used and were shown graphic organizers outperformed the control that did not. (Ponce, et. al., 2018). Here the control group was just taught the information, whereas the experimental group were shown the organizers. Graphic organizers are a way for students to write down their ideas and systematically think through the process of writing. This can help them become more independent when writing things like short answers. Lastly, according to Boon in the Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, he did a single case study on graphic organizers and found, “Overall, all of the graphic organizer interventions, with one exception (Sundeen, 2012), proved to be beneficial to improve the writing skills of students with learning disabilities on both narrative and expository writings.” So visuals are not only a beneficial intervention for regularly performing students in writing but also for students with learning disabilities.
ONLINE ASYNCH HANNAH BROWN
How does gamification in math impact student motivation and/or test scores for whole group 6th grade pre-algebra learners? The students will complete a pretest in Schoology on Chapter 9 in their math curriculum. I will use gamification for individual and group practice during class and have them take the same test after completing all the lessons in the chapter. I will then compare the results of the pretest compared to the post test for each student and determine if gamification showed a positive or negative correlation to the test results. I will also keep daily notes of how student motivation and self-efficacy was for students when learning new material. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. CAROL KLINE Middle Level Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
TAYLOR CREHAN
KASSI DEMMITT
How Does the Repetition of Verbal Reading Increase Students Comprehension Skills?
Does Exercise Impact 1st Grade Student’s Memorization of Addition and Subtraction Sums
“This study occurred in a first-grade classroom with 21 students in a suburban school. The students were engaged in small reading groups of five to six individuals for 35 minutes daily with the student-teachers direct instruction. The groups rotated among four teachers every calendar week. Each group was assigned based on students’ Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) scores in combination with teacher observation and student need. Each group of students was engaged in daily differentiated verbal reading. The same text was used throughout the week for each group. These texts were selected through the combination of the group’s average DRA scores, current events, and classroom relevance. Data collection occurred daily with each reading group to identify students’ individual comprehension growth with each text. The students working with the student-teacher would engage in an interactive warm-up focusing on a phonics skill daily, reading the same text each day in a different verbal manner, then answering comprehension-based prompts. Some of the ways students engaged in reading include echo, choral, individually, and partner reading. Comprehension was evaluated through verbal responses, written responses, and additional collection. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of differentiated verbal reading on students’ comprehension skills. Through daily verbal reading in combination with brief activities, students are engaging with the text in additional ways while practicing fluency skills as well. How will the repetition of verbal reading increase students’ comprehension skills?”
Twenty-three first-grade students were given ten subtraction problems and given one minute to complete as many as they can. Then, they did a five-minute exercise video. Then, they were given the same questions (in a different order) and were given one minute to finish. The following week, they did the same but with addition only.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH NYX CRUSHONG
When Home is the Only Environment: Perceptions of Parental Relationship, Physical and Mental Health Outcomes for College Students Recent research on the impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have surfaced worldwide as the pandemic continues toward a second year. Numerous countries and societies reported widespread moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as negative social and financial outcomes. College students are known to be an at-risk population for these mental health conditions from pre-pandemic research. Current studies show that college students are experiencing similarly severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. College students in the United States have also reported increased substance use and disturbed sleep since the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020. Although many students reported increased difficulty with completing coursework remotely, little research has explored the ongoing effects of having returned to that home environment. To continue the investigation on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students, this study is designed to focus on the students’ perceived parental relationships, and physical and mental health outcomes. Specifically, we will examine if student perceptions of parental relationships and support relate to their current affect, perceived stress, select coping behaviors, and physical health, especially in the presence of disruptive home events. Data will be collected from college student participants at two four-year institutions in the south central Pennsylvania region. It is critical to identify and understand the current physical and mental health of college students given the previously established risk for this population to experience negative physical and mental health outcomes such as those outlined above. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ANDREW BLAND Psychology (BA) ONLINE SYNCH
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FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON VICTORIA DONOVAN
Improving Measurement Estimation Through Increased Practice in the Fifth Grade There is only one unit in the PA Core Standards geared towards the physical act of measuring the accurate length of objects. Beyond this unit, which occurs in the second grade, there is limited focus on measuring objects in primary education. The concept of measurement is primarily brought back by way of conversions, while there is little to no practice physically measuring objects from third through twelfth grade. Practical estimation of measurement is used frequently beyond the classroom; this lack of practice creates a knowledge gap for students’ ability to master this concept. Increased opportunities to practice measuring the length of various objects and/or distances may increase students’ ability to estimate length in practical, day to day situations. The goal of this project is to determine how the increased frequency of practicing measuring length of objects will impact an entire suburban elementary classroom of fifth graders’ ability to estimate objects in their daily lives more accurately. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST Middle Level Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH BRIDGET DUGAN
Will utilizing activities incorporating the varied learning styles strengthen rhyme production in a small group of kindergarten learners? “In kindergarten, rhymes really start to be dissected and students start coming up with their own words to rhyme with a given word. Most of my kindergarten students have succeeded, while others are struggling. I thought that using rhyming literature and activities could help strengthen that skill so they could succeed in the future. My inquiry question is: Will utilizing activities incorporating the varied learning styles strengthen rhyme production in a small group of kindergarten learners? I picked four students for this intervention. Two of them work with the reading support teacher daily, and the other two just need a little extra help. My research discussed how storybook read-alouds can help children retain words. I am reading a book one day and then doing an activity the next day. The activities are matching games where the key is to match rhyming words used in the book together. I will have several forms of data collection. I will conduct a pre-test to gage the students’ abilities at the start and then conduct the activities. The post-test will be similar in format but with different words, just to see if the students’ skill improved in any way. For qualitative data, I will conduct a survey with the students I worked with, having them circle smiling or frowning faces to answer questions I will be asking them orally. I am excited to work with these students to see if their rhyme production improves.”
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
KYLIE EBY
HALEY FEGLEY
How Does the 95 Percent Group Blueprint Impact Reading Comprehension in Third Grade?
The Effectiveness of Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA)
In this action research, using the 95 Percent Group Blueprint for Intervention: Comprehension,agroupofthirdgraderswereselectedtoparticipateinthiscomprehension intervention strategy in attempt to improve comprehension when reading. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH LAUREN EHRLICH
Will Peer Reading with Feedback Increase Reading Fluency in a Small Group of Lower-Level Second Grade Readers? When brainstorming ideas for the Action Research Project, it seemed fitting to have it centered around reading fluency. Many students, besides the students in my study, have struggled with reading fluency since the COVID-19 pandemic started, as well as before. The research question for my Action Research Project is: Will peer reading with feedback increase reading fluency in a small group of lower-level second grade readers? I am using an intervention called QuickReads along with peer reading with feedback to increase reading fluency in a small group of students. The intervention for my group of second grade students is designed to increase reading fluency among a small group of lower-level readers in the class. The intervention spans over a total of two weeks, where the pre-assessment, data collecting, and post-assessment take place with each student. The four students in my study are lower-level readers in a general education class of 20 students. The small group in the study includes three girls and one boy. While the students are in a small group, they are each assessed and progress monitored individually, with the peer reading and feedback taking place in the small group setting. Towards the end of the study, students in the small group will complete a survey evaluating the QuickReads intervention with the peer reading component. The goal of the intervention is to successfully increase the reading fluency amongst the students in the study, when they read grade-level passages.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON ANGELICA FAJARDO
Access to Resources In my study I will be looking at how the use of instructional resources affect a small group of kindergarten student’s performance inside and outside the classroom. Depending on the school community the classroom may have a plentiful amount of resources such as books, manipulatives, and things all around the room. But that may not and is not the case for all classrooms. There are rooms that are filled with posters, anchor charts, photographs, and other educational resources that are accessible just by the eye. Compare that plentiful classroom to one that has bare walls and just what they need to get by. Does that have any effect on how the students preform? Even in a classroom with plentiful resources would the students perform the same if those resources were not accessible to them? FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
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The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the three-leveled sequence of instruction known as concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) with a group of 5th-grade students who are at or below grade level in math. After the first diagnostic test, eight students were found to be struggling with identifying attributes of two-dimensional shapes and understanding that shapes in different categories can share attributes which is a 5th-grade math standard. It became clear that these students needed an intervention to support them in that specific objective. CRA is an intervention that has been tested to be effective for students with disabilities but was rarely tested with students who are at or below grade level. To implement this intervention, the eight students will be given various activities that represent either one, two, or all levels of CRA over the course of two weeks. Data will be collected by the pre-test, observations or formative assessments of the leveled activities, and post-test. The results of this study will be further discussed throughout the research. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. CAROL KLINE Mathematics (BSE) IN-PERSON KELLY FENN
Developing Self-Regulated Learning in Mathematics through Cognitive Activation The purpose of this study is to examine the effects that cognitive activation has on self-regulated learning (SRL) for seventh grade Pre-Algebra students. Cognitive activation can be used to help those students who are unable to go through the SRL process by building on prior knowledge, stimulating cognitive conflict, activating higher-order thinking processes, and promoting the growth of students’ metacognition. However, learned helplessness often gets in the way of cognitive activation in math classrooms since success and failure is prominently more noticeable given that answers to questions and problems are viewed as either right or wrong. Many students will attribute their failure to a lack of mathematical ability and will consequently participate less in activities and lessons provided by the teacher. Those who show a pattern of helplessness avoid challenges and deteriorate in their performance when faced with obstacles. If students learn to persist when faced with obstacles, he or she could change their perceptions of failure. Each student’s belief in their ability to perform or accomplish mathematical tasks no matter the level they are performing on can predict mathematical achievement when linked with cognitive activation. The interventions done in this study uses cognitive activation as a teaching strategy — such as providing questions to challenge their thinking, activating prior knowledge to make connections to new content, participating in classroom discussions to find multiple solutions, and giving time for reflection — to enhance engagement with the content and develop SRL in students. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Mathematics (BSE) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
BRITTNEY FISHER
JACQUELINE FLICK
How does the incorporation of audio/video recording influence words correct per minute in fluency for a small group of below level third graders
Systematic and Explicit Fact Fluency Intervention
Once speaking with my cooperating teacherand gaining her input and thoughts on areas of need in the classroom, we both decided that fluency would be something that an abundance of the students in our classroom would benefit from. due to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years, many of the students in the classroom are below average in their fluency skills due to lack of classroom exposure and virtual learning. I decided to use the Quick Reads fluency program as my main resource for on level reading materials, and a tracking sheet that would show the children’s cold and hot reads, which they would be responsible for tracking on their sheet. Knowing that I wanted to incorporate technology in some way to help keep the children engaged and allow for yet another visual representation of their progress, I decided to do a bit of research to help determine a productive way to incorporate technology into the student’s fluency improvement. My research question for my Action Research Project is: How does the incorporation of audio/video recording influence words correct per minute in fluency for a small group of below level third graders? I will be tracking quantitative data through a pre-assessment as well as a post assessment. Another form of quantitative data would be the weekly WCPM cold and hot reads the students will be doing completing. Qualitative data will be present through the video and audio recordings of student’s weekly readings as well as written descriptions with feedback on the pre-and post-assessment from teacher and student in interview form. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH MACKENZIE FIZZ
How can a math card game increase students math fact fluency for 2nd grade below level learners? This action research focused on utilizing a flashcard game to increase math fact fluency for second-grade below-level learners. The goal of the research was to have the students recall addition and subtraction facts more fluently. The math fact game consisted of addition and subtraction using a deck of cards. The students completed a 15-minute center of the math fact games with the teacher as the facilitator, the math fact games were all played with the same deck of cards, but the activity varied. The use of multiple activities allowed the students to remain engaged throughout the research period and solve equations using addition and subtraction. Students were given a survey at the beginning of the research and one after completing the research. The survey was used to gain an understanding of students’ confidence in answering math facts mentally. In addition, students were given a pretest, weekly check-ins, and a post-test. The findings indicated that implementing the math fact game focusing on addition and subtraction as a daily activity increased the student’s math fact fluency. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
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The purpose of this study is to determine if the Cover, Copy, Compare (CCC) method is an effective intervention to increase student’s fact fluency in timed 60-second trials. Fact fluency automaticity is the ability to automatically process information and deliver the correct answer from memory without conscious thought; a critical component for student success in mathematics. Cover-Copy-Compare (CCC) is a self-managed intervention in which students 1.) Look at the mathematics problem with the answer, 2.) Cover the mathematics problem with the solution, 3.) Record the answer 4.) Uncover the mathematics problem with the solution 5.) Compare the answer. If the student’s answer does not match the correct solution, students are told to repeat the steps. Repeated learning trials are designed to promote mathematics accuracy by providing students with practice of accurate responses. This intervention was implemented with a small group of 4th grade students. The data was closely monitored to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. CAROL KLINE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON MACKENZIE FORD
How does the daily playing of Around the World game impact multiplication fact fluency among a small group of 4th grade students? In fourth grade classrooms, many students are still working on their fact fluency. Since they will be moving on to bigger and harder problems, they should master the basics first. Using the game Around the World, a multiplication game played in a war style with flashcards, will students be able to improve on their fluency? This poster and project aim to answer that question. FACULTY MENTOR: MR. GEORGE VIATES Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON DEBORAH GANTZ
Repeated addition as an intervention for students struggling with multiplication Multiplication is an integral part of the elementary curriculum. It is vital for students to have a solid understanding of multiplication before moving into higher math classes. This project explores how an intervention of practicing using repeated addition improves students understanding of their multiplication facts. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
VICTORIA GOOD
CAROLINA HIDALGO-AHMED
Online Book Reading Versus Reading a Physical Book
Food Insecurity in Children Literature Review
The focus of this study is to compare the comprehension and fluency skills of third-grade students who read a book online versus students who read a physical book. The goal is to see which type of book is more beneficial for our students and will help them succeed.
Food Security is often used to indicate a nation’s marker of social progression and economic security. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food security between four levels; high food security, marginal food security, low food security, and very low food security (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2021). Consideration of minimum requirements for food security lies between the availability of safe and nutritional foods for all household members and the ability to acquire such foods at all times in socially acceptable ways (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2021). Understanding these measures enables an informative review on food insecurity for children in the United States. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 11 million children were food insecure across the United States (Parekh et al., 2021). The prepandemic level of food insecurity among children was 7.8% then, food insecurity has now risen to 17.5% among children during the COVID-19 pandemic (Parekh et al., 2021). Food insecurity has long been associated with adverse health outcomes and deterrents to social well-being (Jun et al., 2021). Food insecurity amongst children causes social problems that threaten national security, social welfare, and the overall decline of health and well-being of the children in the United States.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH CARA HALEY
The Influence of Multiple Modalities on the Development of Sight Word Fluency Through the Professional Development School, and the supervision of Dr. Dawn Ullmann, I completed an Action Research Project. My project focused on identifying an area of need within instruction in my student teaching placement in a Kindergarten classroom. The area of need for several of my students included sight word fluency to better prepare learners to begin reading and comprehending text. Research has shown that better developing sight word fluency will increase comprehension, as the focus will be on comprehending rather than decoding words. In our instruction, we have been providing repetition with sight word instruction to make recognition more automatic. Within sight word fluency, we have been building skills related to CVC instruction by identifying the beginning, middle, and end sounds. This will improve students’ comprehension by building their ability to recognize words based on their prior knowledge of letter sounds. When selecting an instructional strategy to improve their fluency, I focused on multiple modalities rather than one intervention. These modalities include instruction through visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and tactile resources. Learners are exposed to sight words through different avenues to better develop their automatic recognition. I implemented these modalities with a small group of learners each day for six weeks and collected artifacts to build evidence. Throughout the weeks, I started by collecting data on their sight word fluency, then began implementing leveled readers and building comprehension strategies through guided discussion and prompting. Through the data, I made conclusions and recommendations for how to build sight word fluency. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. JENNIFER FRANK Social Work (BA) ONLINE SYNCH NORRIS BULLOCK JR
Action Research Project This project analyzes an intervention used to support the educational needs of a 1st grade classroom. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. ADDIE RITENOUR Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON GABRIELA KARCH
Social-Emotional Health of Elementary students during the pandemic After observing the social-emotional needs of my 3rd graders in my student teaching placement not being met due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, I knew an intervention was needed. Using morning meetings, and mental health check ins as a daily intervention I hope to create an environment that supports the needs of my students in and outside of the classroom. After diving into the research process and coming up almost empty handed, I saw an opportunity to contribute to this field. My goal for the outcome of this study is to give my students the tools that are necessary to successfully understand their feelings growing up during a pandemic. FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
EVAN KAZANJIAN
DANA KIEFFER
Increasing Accessibility in Playing String Instruments: Practical Solutions for Music Educators
Action Research Project
“Accessibility in music continues to be of concern to musicians around the world. Musicians tend to experience discomfort, defined as anything that creates tension or strain, when playing instruments of the modern violin family (violin, viola, cello, and double bass). When teaching students, music educators need to be equipped with strategies to combat short-term and long-term discomfort and tension. Recent studies propose new solutions to alleviating such issues, including prosthetics, biofeedback therapy, mindfulness, and yoga. This project aims to identify the most practical solutions to relieve string instrument discomfort. Using the oral history methodology, I interviewed 5 music educators and a music student to learn about their experiences of discomfort or injuries while playing the string instrument. These interviews have revealed that connective therapy solutions are effective at preventing and overcoming discomfort and further exploration of these solutions is warranted. The culmination of this research and the collected authentic experiences can function as educational tools to identify, combat, and prevent discomfort for musicians. Equipped with this knowledge, educators will increase the accessibility of playing string instruments and prevent discomfort from becoming a developed issue.” FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. TATIANA PASHKOVA-BALKENHOL Music Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNC Library Research Fellows Program
The purpose of this study is to identify how the use of small group instruction can improve a student’s abilities in multiplication fact fluency and skill application processes. One set of research states that strategy selection is critical in the development of multiplication fact fluency and conceptual understanding. According to Bay-Williams, et al., “mastery must focus on fluency. The ability to choose and use strategies flexibly are must-haves for fluency and mastery.” (2019, p. 83) However, another set of research shows that strategy selection and instruction style should be based on the mathematical skill level of the student. According to the study completed by Garcia-Orza et al., “A conventional memory-based method seems to be more efficient for children with poor mathematical skills, whereas a method based on understanding and using rules is more effective for students with a stronger mathematical skill set.” (2021, p. 131) There are differing opinions and studies to show which strategies are best for struggling learners within multiplication fact fluency. Through the integration of this small group instruction and specific strategy instruction, students will likely increase their fact fluency and become more confident and independent in their mathematical capabilities. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON DESIREE LANDIS
Movement in the Classroom Students will participate with different movement activities while learning their multiplication facts. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH
ZACKARY KELLY, MEAGAN SCHULMAN
Yo Ho, Yo Ho: An Atlantic Pyrate’s Life “Topic 1:Throughout history, the Atlantic ocean played host to who Bermudian governor Nathaniel Butler claimed were “good and honest men.” Men, who alternatively used the title of pirate, or if they were lucky, privateer. Colonies such as Bermuda and eventually Providence Island were situated in the unique location of the Atlantic that allowed them to prey on Spanish shipping from Spanish main or the West Indies. Though Bermuda at its founding was also feared to be a base for pirates, the early governors of Bermuda managed to accomplish something that Providence Island did not; create a middle ground between the appearance of obedience to the crown and their own beneficial relationships to pirates and privateers. Topic 2: Life among the pirates has long captured the publics imagination, but what was it really like to be a scoundrel of the sea? Democracy, equality, and freedom motivated seafaring scallywags as much as their lust for loot and adventure. But how far did these egalitarian ideals extend? Were all people who turned pirate welcomed as equal members of this society; regardless of their class, race, gender, sexuality, or identity? Here we will investigate the true nature of those who went a-pirating and how historians have come to understand the men and women who are ingrained in our cultural perception.” MA - History, MA - History IN-PERSON
HARLEY LUDY
Using Puppetry as a Tool to Create an Immersive Elementary Music Classroom “Research shows that puppetry can be used in an educational setting to facilitate creativity, teamwork activities, and perspective thinking. For the elementary music classroom, puppetry may help students overcome performance anxiety and learn musical concepts in an engaging way. It is pertinent for educators to utilize various tools to keep the student engaged and further develop educational growth. Puppetry is one of the many pedagogical tools that provides immersive engagement that encapsulates students wholistically. The purpose of this study is to examine the immersive nature of puppetry and whether it can be used as a tool to create an immersive elementary music classroom. To learn about innovative and engaging ways of implementing puppetry in the classroom, I used the oral history methodology and interviewed 3 professional puppeteers and 5 educators who have created an immersive environment with puppets. The purpose of the study was to learn how their professional practices could lead to an immersive learning environment. By obtaining authentic experiences of puppeteers and educators, these combined experiences can benefit educators to utilize puppetry to immerse students to learn music. The culmination of this research is to not only spread awareness of the ways effective puppetry can be utilized in the elementary music classroom, with contingency on also learning to implement characters into learning as an aid to keep students engaged. The presentation of the information gathered will inspire current and future educators who wish to learn more about immersive puppetry and its uses in the classroom.”
FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. TATIANA PASHKOVA-BALKENHOL Music Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH
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MADISON LURING
JILLIAN MILLER
Writing Checklists for Children
Teaching Primary Sources through Simulations
Will the implementation of checklists help improve third grade students’ writing in areas of grammar and style? Teachers spend hours reading and grading student writing, only to find that the students make the same mistakes over and over. These mistakes are corrected by teacher editing, but there is no accountability other than making sure the corrections are made in the final draft. Will these writing checklists help students master certain skills, while also creating a self-edit routine?
The purpose of this study is to examine how the use of simulations when preparing to read primary source documents can help scaffold learning for small groups of belowgrade-level readers.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON SKYLAR MAURER
Improving Conventions Through the Implementation of Interactive Writing The purpose of this study is to examine how the implementation of interactive writing, in a small group setting, improves writing conventions such as punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. CAROL KLINE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KRISTA PALMQUIST Social Studies Education (BSE) IN-PERSON ANNA MILNER
Context Clues within 3rd Grade My research examines the impact of context clues on third graders’ word comprehension. Research suggests that readers learn about the meaning of new and unfamiliar words based on the context provided. The goal of my research was to focus specifically on the development of this skill and study the impact. The structure of my research included a pretest and a posttest to measure students’ improvement in comprehension with the book Stone Fox. In between the tests, I instructed on context clue strategies on a daily basis. With in-depth discussions, returning to the story for context, and using different context clue strategies, students were able to grow their vocabulary and better understand the vocabulary in Stone Fox. The study showed that most students, including struggling readers within the class, were able to grow and learn these skills.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE)
SAMANTHA MCDONOUGH
ONLINE ASYNCH
Does grammar instruction that is in context and focuses on specific grammar skills positively affect retention and application in elementary grade students?
HALEY F MYERS
Based on data collected on student writing samples in a 6th grade classroom, I will be developing and intervention to address areas of need. Current grammar instruction focussed around rules and conventions of English and my intervention seeks to identify if contextually relevant and meaningful grammar instruction positively affects students retention and application of the content. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH MADISON MEGONNELL
Visual Schedules in Special Education The focus of this study was to grow in understanding of visual schedules in the classroom. The question I want to answer is, “Do visual schedules help with transitions and completing activities with a student with Down Syndrome?” This study was completed with one kindergarten student that has Down Syndrome and is in a general education classroom. This particular student currently has little to no interest in doing activities with the class. The goal of this study was to see if using a visual schedule with the student will increase the number of activities he does with the class. I used research from other professionals as well as my own data to come to a conclusion on whether or not visual schedules help with transitions and activity completion in the classroom.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. GEORGE VAITES Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
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Choice of Text and Comprehension Effects This project is researching the effects between the choice of text or book in a classroom setting and how it enhances reading comprehension in a group of 5th graders with varying reading abilities. I will be exploring the connection between comprehension skills and the students having the ability to choose what they are reading, instead of having a text assigned to them or being forced to read something they are not interested in. FACULTY MENTOR:MS. CAROL KLINE Middle Level Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
HALEY M MYERS
MADDY ODONNELL
Can having students who struggle with reading comprehension read test questions and answers aloud to themselves improve test scores on reading comprehension quizzes?
Does Understanding Question-Answer Relationships Lead to Better Comprehension Among Elementary-aged Students?
“When I began my PDS internship in the Fall, my cooperating teacher and I noticed that some of our students struggled with reading comprehension. In fourth grade, this was a concern to both of us, especially considering the amount of tests that fourth graders face between the PSSAs and other testing necessary for their grade level. When I found out this was a concern, I decided that this was something that I wanted to focus on for my Action Research Project. For my ARP I will be focusing on reading comprehension and test-taking. My question is “Can having students who struggle with reading comprehension read test questions and answers aloud to themselves improve test scores on reading comprehension quizzes?” To do this, I will use mini comprehension quizzes and a reading test called the STAR test. My select group of students have been taking the comprehension quizzes and reading tests without reading aloud. When I pull them to take the quiz and read the questions and answers aloud, I will compare the two scores against one another. I will take a short survey with students after their quizzes to determine how they felt this intervention helped them. Findings from Sümeyra Ceyhana and Mustafa Yıldız have shown that this strategy makes students more involved in the reading process, and helps with comprehension. I believe this could improve the scores of my students, and help them to better understand what they are reading.”
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Middle Level Education (BSE) IN-PERSON DANIELLE NEWSWANGER
Supporting Students’ Development of Content-Specific Vocabulary in Science “For many students, scientific vocabulary can be a barrier to conceptual understanding. The purpose of this action research project is to determine the effectiveness of frequent vocabulary review in supporting seventh-grade students’ vocabulary development during a Genetics unit in a seventh-grade life science class. In a unit that relies heavily on scientific terminology, students will likely benefit from frequent opportunities to practice using the new terms in their scientific context. This study aims to determine how the implementation of frequent review increases students understanding of content-specific vocabulary. In this action research study, baseline data is collected at the beginning of the unit using a pre-assessment to measure students’ prior knowledge of the vocabulary terms. Throughout the unit, various vocabulary review activities are implemented in two of four life science sections. The other two sections receive the same science instruction, but without the additional review activities. At the end of the unit, data is once again collected using a post-assessment to measure students’ understanding of the vocabulary after the unit. The differences in pre- and postassessment performance are compared among the two subgroups to determine the effectiveness of the frequent vocabulary review.”
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Middle Level Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH
Students are not comprehending what they are learning. Therefore, they’re not developing the proper skills to be able to interpret and understand a text. Why aren’t students comprehending what they’re reading? Why are they unable to retell or answer questions about a text or story? A researched intervention will be conducted where students will take part in a ten day process using the Question-Answer Relationship Strategy. The Question-Relationship Strategy consists of learning about different types of questions, and how to properly answer them. Students will be learning and practicing with the four different types of questions throughout the first four days of both weeks. On the fifth day, they will be assessed based on their comprehension of a selected reading passage. As well as the answers they provide to the different types of questions. This cycle will be repeated for two weeks and the current data collected will be compared to prior data.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. CAROL KLINE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON LAURA OLCHEWSKY
Social-Emotional Health in the Elementary Classroom After being in my student teaching placement and noticing the impact the pandemic has had on students, there is a real need to help them with their social-emotional health. Based on this first-hand observation and the overall lack of research on helping students in this area, I have decided to implement the intervention of weekly morning meetings and daily mental health check-ins over the time frame of several weeks. Through completing this intervention, I hope to impact the social-emotional health of my third grade students by fostering a safe and collaborative learning environment to impact their overall levels of confidence and self-esteem.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON CAMILLE PALMER
The Effects of Daily Extra Math Practice on First Grade Learners’ Math Fact Fluency Proficient math fact fluency is a key skill of first grade, and a learner’s academic career is very dependent on their ability to recall math facts quickly and accurately. This presentation reviews how the use of an online resource, Xtra Math, can improve first grade learner’s addition and subtraction math fact fluency when used daily. Xtra Math is an resource that reviews basic math facts that are necessary for all higher-level math subjects, through the use of repeated practice and assessing learner’s needs on the computer. Informed by the results of multiple peer-reviewed articles, this study examines the effectiveness of Xtra Math to improve addition math fact fluency when used five days consecutively with first grade learners.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMAN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
VICTORIA PERONI
LIZ PORTER
The Validity of Synesthesia Surveys
Will the use of the math intervention, Bridges, as an enrichment program for higher-level kindergarten students impact their numerical and computation skills?
Synesthesia is a rare neurological condition in which the senses “mix”: the triggering of one sense simultaneously triggers another sense. This experience has two parts: the inducer and the concurrent. Given the many different combinations of senses and triggers, synesthesia is known to be found in about 65 different forms: each form is unique in its inducer and concurrent combination. Synesthesia is not an observable condition, however, which leaves researchers missing one key thing: how much of the population is affected. Due to this idea, testing for synesthesia is scarce: most of it is done through self-reports. Studies show that most people with the condition never know they have it, which is caused by this lack of testing. The aim of my thesis is to investigate this problem. I will be administering two synesthesia surveys and a synesthesia battery test to participants. I seek to validate self-reported synesthesia, specifically graphemecolor, with a test measure. If their self-report indicates synesthesia, their score on the test battery should say the same. I hypothesize that while most participants will classify themselves as a synesthete, many of them will not be aware of their condition prior to testing and hearing about synesthesia, and only a few participants will have true, verifiable synesthesia.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. SHAWN GALLAGHER Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON ANDREA PERRING
How Manipulatives Affect Addition and Subtraction in Kindergarten This project will be answering the question “How can the introduction of manipulatives deepen the understanding of addition and subtraction for kindergarteners in a small group setting?” There is a multitude of studies that show that manipulatives play a key role in helping a child lock down information in a way that lectures and worksheets don’t. In this study, children whose math lessons are scripted and accompanied by a workbook are introduced to small group time where they will focus on using a variety of manipulatives to help solidify their understanding of single-digit addition and subtraction. The results are discussed, and further implications are shared.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE)
“When discussing my action research project with my cooperating teacher, I asked her what she felt was needed in her kindergarten classroom. Many of the students in our class are scoring lower on assessments and receive interventions. However, we have students scoring higher but could still benefit from small group enrichment. After discussions with the math intervention specialist and my cooperating teacher, we have decided to try the Bridges math intervention program as an enrichment program for our students with higher math scores to evaluate the benefits of such practices. The inquiry question for my action research project is “Will the use of the math intervention, Bridges, which follows the model of “I Do, We Do, You Do,” as an enrichment program for higher-level kindergarten students impact their numerical and computation skills?” The group of students selected consists of five kindergarten students. Each module follows a pattern of the teacher demonstrating the concept, then the students and the teacher working together, and finally independent practice. The project will begin with data collection, a benchmark assessment to decide what module in the program would be the best to begin. As we progress through the modules, there will be regular progress monitoring to measure achievement and note any changes. The students will take a final assessment and be asked questions at the end of the project to evaluate the effectiveness of the enrichment activities. This data can be used in the future for continuing enrichment activities for students.”
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON BONNIE PROUGH
Biographies in Government This project examines how the inclusion of biographical text in social studies improves student understanding in government and politics.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. CAROL KLINE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
ONLINE ASYNCH LYDIA RICKS
Designing a Dementia Prevention Program for Young Adults Dementia impacts 50 million people worldwide, with 10 million new cases each year. With no cure in sight, dementia continues to devastate families every day. Since effective treatments have not been developed, researchers have aimed to identify risk factors associated with the development of dementia. These risk factors include physical and cognitive inactivity, hypertension, smoking, social isolation, plus many more. Prevention strategies have been created and advertised to the public to increase awareness of how to lower chances of developing dementia. If young adults were to be educated about these factors, the rate of the development of dementia could drastically decrease. Education programs for young adults about risk factors could occur in the form of a workshop, educational pamphlets, or even as a unit in a Wellness course. Not only do these risk factors apply to dementia, but they are also relevant for the prevention of other chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. This presentation will provide an overview of the types of dementia, risk factors for development of dementia, along with a proposal providing the components of a dementia prevention program targeted at young adults.
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ELIZABETH THYRUM Psychology (BA) ONLINE ASYNCH 31 | M I L L E R S V I L L E U N I V E R S I T Y | w w w. ma d ei nmu. ed ucati o n | # M ade inMU22
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
KATHERINE RILEY
ABIGAIL SAVICKY
Attuning to College Students During the Pandemic
Choral Reading and Phrase Lists: A Fluency Intervention in a 5th Grade Classroom
The outbreak of COVID-19 in the US has caused significant changes in both college adjustment and daily life for college students. These changes include a shift to remote learning, an inability to partake in social events, and for many students, a move back home with parents. While much literature exists regarding college adjustment, there is minimal literature regarding college life during COVID-19, as this is a new and ongoing issue. This study analyzed students’ responses to questions regarding academic adjustment during the pandemic. The goal of this study was to provide educators with insight that can be used to better attune, or become increasingly receptive of students’ needs and find ways to adapt curriculum in response to these needs, in the future. The subthemes within student responses were broken down into personal academic experience, course setup, and relations with professors. Findings regarding personal academic experience included lack of motivation and a strong need for organization. For course setup, results included a need for human interaction and a dislike for having cameras on during Zoom sessions. Key findings about relations with professors consisted of weak connections and difficulties contacting professors.
FACULTY MENTOR:DR. NADINE GARNER Mathematics (BSE)
My research examines the impact of an intervention utilizing choral reading and phrase lists on oral fluency of fifth graders identified as needing practice with oral fluency. Research suggests that repeated reading interventions, like choral reading and phrase lists, help students develop the skill of oral fluency. Students included in this study were identified as below the benchmark or well below the benchmark in the area of oral fluency, measured as correct words per minute, using the Acadience Learning diagnostic test. Four days a week, during the scheduled English Language Arts intervention period, students will read phrase lists individually. The number of phrases read correctly will be recorded for each student. Instruction will be provided to the students after reading the phrase list. Also, during this intervention time, students will participate in choral reading of high interest texts as a group. Expression, tone, cadence, and flow of reading will be emphasized through instruction between readings. A new phrase list and high interest text will be introduced each cycle. Once a cycle, or once every 6 school days, the students’ oral fluency will be progress monitored using the Acadience Learning system. While the study has not yet been completed, it is expected for these students to develop in the area of oral fluency after the implementation of this intervention.
IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. CAROL KLINE Middle Level Education (BSE)
ALLISON RAKE
ONLINE ASYNCH
Inquiry of Phonemic Awareness and Intervention This inquiry-based research project is based around the concept of phonemic awareness in kindergarten learners. In this project, the goal is to see if the implementation of a program called Heggerty helps assist 44 kindergarten learners with growing skills surrounding phonemic awareness.
ALYSSA SERRA
Mindfulness and Mental Health in the Elementary Classroom
NICOLE SANDER
After spending time in my student teaching placement, I noticed that the students were struggling with their mental health. I find the students having low self esteem and not believing in their abilities. After doing some research, I saw that there was very little on the topic of including mindfulness in an elementary classroom environment. Due to that, I decided to incorporate mindfulness and mental health strategies into morning meetings that occur once a week. To see if the morning meetings are impacting the students, I will conduct a daily check in. The overall goal of this study is to give my students the tools necessary to understand and feel their feelings properly.
Math with Music Integration Action Research Project
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE)
This action research presents the investigation of the way teachers integrate music into their regular mathematics lessons as well as the effects of music-mathematics in interdisciplinary lessons on first grade students’ mathematical abilities in using place value concepts to represent amounts of tens and ones and compare two-digit numbers. One teacher with a first-grade class of twenty one students participated in the action research project. The teacher designed and implemented musical place value videos as an integrated part of their regular mathematic independent work across five days. Students were encouraged to use the knowledge they learned from the catchy musical place value songs or videos during their mathematical lessons. The results are currently in progress; however, the pre-assessment shows little knowledge of place value in expanded form.
IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR:MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
JASMINE SHAW-MORRIS
HANNAH SHENK
Will one-minute repeated readings promote fluency growth for basic level fourth grade students?
The Impacts of Daily Dictation
“When I first discussed the Action Research Project with my cooperating teacher, she gave me a couple ideas of what area students need improvement in. The idea that stood out to me the most was fluency. After identifying my topic, I started my research on fluency interventions. As I began to search for related articles about fluency interventions, I came across Read Naturally Live and one-minute repeated readings. Read Naturally Live is an online program that provides research-based strategies to help students fluency. Oneminute repeated readings provides repetition for students and improves their reading rate. The research question for my Action Research Project is: Will one-minute repeated readings promote fluency growth for basic level fourth grade students? The students I selected for my Action Research Project are fourth graders whose DIBELS scores show that their status is strategic and WCPM can be improved. These students include one boy and two girls of basic reading fluency. The goal will be for students to reach between 115 to 125 WCPM. The data collection methods I will use is bar graphs to display the data I collected from the students WCPM. are bar graphs to track students’ progress after each read, and a student survey for students to reflect on their reading fluency and the intervention. I am looking forward to working with the selected fourth grade students and to see if this intervention will improve their reading fluency.”
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
The purpose of this study is to identify the impacts of a daily dictation intervention on the writing mechanics and phonetic skills of second grade students. The goal of the intervention is to improve students’ writing, ensuring that students are using proper capitalization, spelling, spacing, and punctuation. Students must use their phonetic skills to listen and accurately write what they have heard. Students have a goal of 90% accuracy in each category. The daily dictation intervention participants are a small group of low level second grade students. Each day of the intervention, students dictated a sentence read aloud by a teacher. The sentences were reviewed by the teacher, and the accuracy percentage was calculated for each mechanics category, aiming for 90% in each. These “cold write” accuracy percentages were graphed in blue. Students were given the opportunity to review their errors, and rewrite their dictated sentence with noted errors in mind. The teacher graphed their revised, “hot write” dictations in red, directly above the cold write to enable students to visually see their growth from cold to hot writes, as well as daily. The dictation intervention took place for ten to fifteen minutes each day, and data was collected over the months of February and March. The researcher recognizes the limitations of time constraints on the study, as well as diverse student background knowledge.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH ASHLEY SMITH
ANDREA SHEARER
The Effect of a Mental Health Check-in on 4th Grade Students How does a daily mental health check-in impact the wellness and behavior levels of a group of three 4th graders who struggle with emotional stress?
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. GEORGE VAITES Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON ANDREA SHEARER
Multiplication Fact Fluency How can the daily 10-minute use of flashcard rings, increase multiplication fluency through repeated practice for a small group of 4th graders who are performing below grade level in mathematics.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. GEORGE VAITES Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
Improving Comprehension with Basic Multiplication Facts Basic multiplication facts, and understanding how we solve them, are a crucial part of problem solving in mathematics. Students are struggling to solve multiplication facts and explain their reasoning or process due to their lack of understanding regarding why the product of an equation is what it is, and furthermore, comprehending that the multiplication symbol (x) means “groups of.” If students spent a small amount of time daily strictly on their multiplication facts and practicing how to support their response with an explanation, would their knowledge on these concepts improve? Would this help students who are struggling with their basic multiplication facts meet benchmark/ problems correct per minute?
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH OLIVIA SONNETT
Using Mini-lesson to Improve Writing The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect mini lessons have on Kindergarten students’ ability to organize their writing and transfer what they learn to their independent writing.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
BENJAMIN SPANGLER
KRISTEN SWEET
Formative Assessment Application for a Middle-Level Classroom
The Impact of Game-Based Learning on Letter Sound Recognition
Using empirical data, the study reported on this poster explores how a middle-level mathematics student-teacher implemented formative assessment tools in their classroom teaching. This action-based research aims at outlining the issues and benefits related to implementing a formative assessment model in an eighth-grade pre-algebra classroom. The assessments will be assigned after each topic in a unit. The idea is to promote the student’s study habits as well as relay important feedback for their success.
The early literacy skill of letter-sound recognition is crucial for first graders to obtain to be able to spell and read words. Without this skill, learners will struggle when it comes to both writing and reading, as well as developing more advanced literacy skills. Educators should always want their learners to achieve academic success, and that all starts with them supporting their development of early literacy skills. This Action Research Project focuses on determining if the implementation of an educational game into phonics instruction affects first grader’s ability to acquire the skill of letter-sound correspondence and apply it to word construction. The purpose of the study is to support the participants in becoming fluent in letter-sound recognition.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Mathematics (BSE) IN-PERSON MARISSA STARR
How does orthographic mapping influence encoding and decoding sight words of a small group of kindergarteners who struggle identifying and applying sight words to their reading and writing? The purpose of this study is to examine the impact that orthographic mapping can have on encoding and decoding sight words for students who struggle identifying and applying sight words to their reading and writing. Orthographic mapping involves the formation of letter-sound connections to bond the spellings, pronunciations, and meanings of specific words in memory. It explains how children learn to read words by sight, to spell words from memory, and to acquire vocabulary words from print. I will be assessing 5 kindergarten students in my current student teaching placement who struggle with encoding and decoding sight words and applying sight words to their reading and writing. Over the course of a few weeks, I will be implementing 2 interventions to gather further insight and information on how effective orthographic mapping is when encoding and decoding sight words for students who struggle identifying and applying sight words to their reading and writing. Orthographic mapping is enabled by phonemic awareness and grapheme-phoneme knowledge. During orthographic mapping development, the connections improve in quality and word-learning value, from visual non alphabetic, to partial alphabetic, to full graphophonemic, to consolidated grapho-syllabic and grapho-morphemic.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH BROOKE STRICKHOUSER
The Daily 5 and Sight Words “Focus & Purpose of Study- The purpose of this study is to observe whether the incorporation of the Daily 5 intervention (read to some, listen to reading, read to self, writing work, and word work) will improve Kindergartener’s sight word mastery. Research Question- How does the incorporation of the Daily 5 (Read to self, read to someone, word work, writing work, and listen to reading), in small groups at each center, influence the mastery of sight words within a kindergarten class of 17 students? Assumptions & Limitations- The researcher assumes that the activities being placed in the word work and writing work centers are effective ways of learning. Not all the students will always be in the classroom during the implementation due to RTII. The results may not be generalizable.”
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON TAYLOR TIHANSKY
Math Fact Fluency in 5th Grade In this project, we will discuss math fact fluency and interventions used to improve a group of 5th grade students’ math fact fluency with multiplication and division. Since COVID-19, students’ math fact fluency has been put aside to focus on aspects and content that students’ have missed over the past two years. Now that schools are reopen and students are in the classroom, it is apparent that students’ math fat fluency has decreased. It is important that students have a high or average math fact fluency not for the fact that it is something teachers want them to know, but it gives them valuable skills to use for the rest of their lives. Research shows that implementing math fact interventions improves students’ math fact fluency, quality of their education, and reduces overall frustration in the classroom. The interventions used for this research included games, activities, worksheets, and small group lessons. The interventions were implemented over a four-week period with data collected every week. Students’ fluency and improvements were measured once a week by timed multiplication and division drill worksheets. Students improved their learning and knowledge over the four weeks by engaging in the interventions and checking for their understanding consistently.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. NANCY SCHNELLI Middle Level Education (BSE) IN-PERSON NATALIE TIMKO
How does Read Naturally impact fluency and accuracy skills in 4 below benchmark second grade students? Read Naturally is a program of repeated reading for struggling readers. Over the course of my field placement, I will study the effects of Read Naturally for 4 below-benchmark students in second grade. This program is meant to increase fluency and accuracy while reading through reading passages based on developmental level seven times. This program allows students to work at their own pace, graph their own progress, and read the same stories. This study will assess the quality of Read Naturally on these 4 students’ fluency and accuracy and see how much they improve over a span of a month.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
FACULTY MENTOR: DR. ELIZABETH POWERS-COSTELLO Early Childhood Education (BSE)
iEarly Childhood Education (BSE)
ONLINE ASYNCH
IN-PERSON
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ALISA TROUTMAN
GABRIELLA VERSACE
Brain Breaks
Science and Gender Stereotypes
Often students are expected to jump from one subject right into the next without any break. This leads to students losing attention and getting what I like to call the wiggles. That is when students begin having unwanted behavior: moving around, making noises, chatting, and not listening to the lesson. This becomes a distraction for others and also takes up time in the lesson, since the teacher needs to stop teaching and redirect attention or repeat themselves. I am currently student teaching in a half-day kindergarten program, so time is not always on our side. I want to see how implementing a short brain break in between two subjects will help the focus of my students. The goal is to gain more instruction time by decreasing the unwanted behavior. So, by taking a brain break, hopefully students will get out their wiggles, leading them to be focused and ready for their next lesson.
During my fall semester of student teaching, my cooperating teacher and I discussed several possible aspects that could be targeted through my Action Research Project. The goal was for my Action Research Project to have a positive impact on my students and serve as a valuable future resource. I intend to form my instruction around the inquiry question, “How does instruction focusing around the correction of common gender stereotypes impact how male and female students perceive and demonstrate defined 21st Century Skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership) during group-based science activities.” Through my intervention, I intend to collect data using a variety of tools. Before implementing my instruction, students will complete a survey to assess what misconceptions about gender stereotypes they hold, and how they view the role both genders have in displaying the defined 21st Century Skills. Throughout my unit, students will learn about two scientists each week; one male and one female. Applying this activity allows to see firsthand that someone’s gender does not limit their career and skill opportunities. During science activities, students will work in groups that include a mix of male and female students. Following each groupbased activity, students will complete a peer evaluation for each member in their group to record participation and teamwork. Once students have completed the science unit, I will compare male and female science scores to observe any improvement in scores by gender and have them complete another survey to determine whether misconceptions have been corrected.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON MR. TUCKER UEBERSAX
The Warm Embrace of an Aural Cocoon: How LoFi Music Affects the Distractibility of College Students “This study aims to examine the impact that Low Fidelity (LoFi) music has on the distractibility of students. College students are no longer restricted to only complete their assignments in school buildings or at home. Instead, they now complete their assignments in coffee shops, outdoor parks, student hubs, and other locations. Each place has an aesthetic that affects the students’ ability to focus on their assignments, such as talking and jingling keys. Additionally, students are often distracted by the challenges of virtual learning, whether it is issues with the technology itself or the notifications that pop up when learning. These constant distractions fight for the students’ attention which often negatively impacts them and their academic performance. Current research suggests that music might act as a buffer. LoFi music creates an aural cocoon around the listener. The aural cocoon creates a buffer that allows the student to concentrate for longer by increasing the time it takes to become distracted. LoFi is a newer genre of music that consists of sampled audios which lack lyrics and are then compiled together overtop simple beat patterns. Through an experimental design in which students complete a test while listening to LoFi and being purposefully distracted, this study aims to determine the extent to which LoFi aids students’ concentration when studying. The study findings will allow educators to equip students with the resources to study efficiently while still maintaining the integrity of the educational system.” FACULTY MENTOR: PROF. TATIANA POSHKOVA-BALKENHOL Music Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH Library Research Fellows Program
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON CHRISTINA WAGNER
Testing Strategy My project is asking the essential question of “how will meeting in small groups to discuss using the process of elimination test taking strategy impact scores on a 4th grade diagnostic exam?” Throughout this project, a randomly selected group of students participated in a small group to discuss the test taking strategy of process of elimination. This group met during the school’s independent work time for 10 minutes each session. Students participating in this project have seen their test scores on their diagnostic exams increase. I picked this topic because I feel that all students can benefit from the practice of test taking strategies and carry this knowledge into their future school careers.
FACULTY MENTOR: MR. GEORGE VAITES Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON BRINLEY WEAVER
Vowel Team Instruction The purpose of this study is to find out if 5 minutes of daily explicit vowel team instruction will improve a group of students’ fluency abilities who are in 2nd grade and below reading level.
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. PEG BROWN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE ASYNCH
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EMMA WEIRICH
CHLOE WOOD
Will the introduction of the Read Naturally program improve reading fluency within a small group of below basic learners?
Phonics and Patterns in Third Grade
“As I began my senior year of student teaching, I approached my cooperating teacher about a lack of reading fluency within our fourth-grade class. We decided that the best way to handle this lack of fluency was to direct a specific intervention of Read Naturally Live with a small group of below level learners. The research question for my project is: Will the introduction of the Read Naturally program improve reading fluency within a small group of below basic learners? The students selected for my research are slightly below average fourth grade readers in terms of their fluency. It includes three girls and two boys. The intervention selected for my project is a fluency-building program for developing and struggling readers. It is called “Read Naturally Live”. Students are placed in their appropriate reading level using a cold read test. Once placed students can choose from a selection of stories to grow their fluency. They go through steps of key words, predictions, cold timings, read alongs, practices, quizzes, word lists, and a hot timing with the teacher at the end. The teacher ultimately decides whether the student passes the story and can move onto a next or must continue to practice with the same story. The data collection methods applied for my project are a pre/post test rating the student’s fluency skills using the PEARS rubric. We will also use a student evaluation at the end to gauge students’ interest in the program.”
FACULTY MENTOR: MS. KAREN GREEN Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON MICHELE WENGER
The Effectiveness of Sight Word Interventions to Achieve Automaticity. “Sight words are common words that without much conscious effort, are recognized and identified. The purpose of my research is to determine whether or not visual and verbal repetition will influence the automaticity of sight words for a small group of kindergarten students. Sight word automaticity is necessary in order for anyone to read and write which is why sight word interventions are needed, especially in primary grades. My research and interventions will focus on explicit instruction strategies that can be used to teach sight words. My data will show how the interventions affected the students’ automaticity of sight words. Different strategies will be used throughout the intervention to improve the students’ ability to recognize and identify 49 sight words. 25 of these sight words are considered “Words to Master”, and the other 24 are considered “Exposure Words.” The students were assessed on all 49 words in January and will be again in March. The students receive the same explicit instruction which lasts for ten minutes, and the small group meets three days per week. These would be considered limitations to my research and data since the students are not exposed to these interventions as much as they could be. Also, the project includes an assumption that the students had enough background knowledge on letters, sounds, and word formation before the interventions began. The data collected in both January and March will show how much the students’ sight word automaticity was affected using explicit instruction.” FACULTY MENTOR: MR. MICHAEL HOLTZAPPLE Early Childhood Education (BSE) IN-PERSON
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Within this action research, a group of third graders were selected to take place in a study in attempt to improve spelling related phonics words on weekly assessments. FACULTY MENTOR: MS. DAWN ULLMANN Early Childhood Education (BSE) ONLINE SYNCH
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