Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Nutrition In An Individual's Physical Activity Levels And Sleep Patterns.

Stander Symposium Projects

Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet provides our bodies with essential nutrients that promotes good overall health and well being. Nutrition has the vital rule in all different systems of the body as well as providing fuel for additional exertion throughout the day. Research has shown that diet patterns can change when students go off to college and students may attempt to try different diet plans. The goal of this research project is to better understand the role nutrition can play in physical activity levels and sleep habits in college students.

An Investigation Into Mental Health Impacts Of Young Adults Who Experienced Childhood Obesity

Stander Symposium Projects

Certain habits and behaviors one engages in as a child can carry into adulthood. An example of this is childhood obesity. There is much research that covers physical impacts of childhood obesity such as poor cardiovascular system, gross motor skills and skeletal abnormalities. That being said, there is limited research on how experiencing childhood obesity can affect an individual's mental health as they mature. The goal of this research project is to better understand how young adult's mental health has been impacted by these experiences including bridging the gap between physical and emotional consequences of childhood obesity.

Does Regular Exercise Improve The Quality And Quantity Of Sleep In College Students?

Stander Symposium Projects

The purpose of this investigation is to determine if regular exercise improves sleep patterns in college students. In order to have strong cognitive function, it is imperative that sleep quality and quantity remain positively consistent. Research shows that strong cognitive function can lead to greater success in college coursework and extracurricular activities. Sleep is also important for physical and mental health. Building high-quality exercise and sleep habits at a young age can lay a solid framework for a person's health as they age, leading to a higher quality of life.

Does Engaging In Physical Activity Provide College Students With Greater Academic Success?

Stander Symposium Projects

It is shown that in order to maximize health benefits, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Past research has shown that regular engagement in physical activity has the potential to improve cognitive ability. The goal of this research project is to better understand the relationship between physical activity and academic performance among college students at a private university in Central Ohio.

The Effects Of Religion And Spirituality On Mental Well-Being

Stander Symposium Projects

Past research has shown that religion and spirituality can have a great impact on an individual's well-being, whether that effect is positive or negative. Religion and spirituality can ultimately be used as a source of therapy for those with mental illnesses and also improve a person's mental health in general. Some examples of a positive effect include improving or preventing depression, anxiety, and suicide. While knowing it can better a person's well-being, it also has the possibility to worsen an individual's mental health by creating the emotions of shame, guilt, and not being accepted amongst a religious community. The goal …

Building A Strong Foundation: Sense Of Belonging And Engagement At The Community College In Preparation For Transfer

Stander Symposium Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore transfer students’ experiences at the community college in preparation of transferring to a four-year institution. The participants consisted of students currently enrolled in the University of Dayton/Sinclair Academy, including pre- and post-transfer students. I used qualitative, semi-structured interviews to collect data on transfer students’ individual experiences at the community college level around sense of belonging and engagement in preparation for transfer. Participants focused heavily on academic engagement, rather than social engagement, and found belonging with peers in the academic settings. The UDSA program provided a sense of belonging before transferring to UD. …

Negative Perceptions Of Standardized Testing In Schools

Stander Symposium Projects

Standardized testing is seen throughout schools in almost all grade levels. Standardized testing affects teachers, students and parents. Negative impacts of standardized testing include biases based on race, gender, and household income. Students also experience negative stress in response to standardized testing. This literature review highlights why standardized testing is viewed so negatively throughout the school system.

Climate Change In The Classroom: How And Why We Teach It

Stander Symposium Projects

Climate Change Education (CCE) is a topic being addressed in classrooms through curriculum and research studies. From this review, we see how teachers are building/organizing content, how it is implemented in different subjects, and how textbooks affect content knowledge. This curriculum also allows teachers to look at the social and cultural aspects of CCE.

Gifted Education: How Does It Look In The 21st Century?

Stander Symposium Projects

Gifted education is an approach designed to provide students who have been identified as “gifted and talented” with more opportunities to grow and challenge themselves. What these programs look like varies from school to school, with little consistency. The results of this are that children within the program have vastly different experiences and opportunities depending on what their school has in place for gifted students. This review examines the gifted education system as it stands in the 21st century in U.S. schools including the selection processes, requirements for teacher training, impact on students, and evidence of inequality within the system.

Understanding The Focus On Multicultural, Spiritual, And Ethical Education In Religious Curricula

Stander Symposium Projects

In recent years, religious educators have developed a diverse spread of foci for religious education from multiculturalism to spirituality and ethics. These foci were formulated with the goal of a more widespread constituency for religious education and updating religious teaching to be inclusive of various religious and cultural practices.

Salut, Hola And Hello: The Impacts Of A Multilingual Education On Elementary-Aged Youth

Stander Symposium Projects

Since the beginning of the Education system there has been much debate about the role of foreign languages in classrooms. This project will focus on the emotional, social and academic impacts of a multilingual curriculum on elementary aged youth and how a multilingual curriculum can be introduced into classrooms. The information analyzed in this project will be taken from a selection of studies from elementary classrooms across the United States.

Understanding Physical Activity And Stress Levels In College Students

Stander Symposium Projects

Introduction: College students face a stressful challenge of navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood with the added pressure of performing well in classes and taking care of themselves. There have been many studies conducted that examine the relationship between physical activity and stress levels, but few have investigated this relationship among a college population. A previous study indicated that objectively vigorous physical activity was associated with decreased stress assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale, but moderate physical activity was not. With the rise in mental health issues in this population it is important to identify ways to reduce stress …

Understanding Autism And Beneficial Strategies

Stander Symposium Projects

My project focuses on Autism spectrum disorder and supports that have been highly beneficial for children. Strategies commonly used in an academic settings with primarily elementary-level students in subjects from mathematics to social skills are explored.

The Power Of Trans Joy At A Catholic University

Stander Symposium Projects

This project explores the ways in which transgender and gender non-conforming undergraduate students experience trans joy at Catholic universities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with current undergraduate students who had completed one semester at a Catholic university and identified as transgender and/or gender non-conforming. The project utilizes descriptive methods that identify common themes across participant interviews. Participants expressed that online communities, close friendships, romantic relationships, and access to affirming medical care impacted the joy they felt in their identity. These findings have important implications on the types of support transgender and gender non-conforming students at Catholic institutions need and, moving beyond …

How Do Different Types Of Physical Activity Impact An Individual's Mental Well-Being?

Stander Symposium Projects

Title on poster: How can exercising help improve our mental health?

Research has shown that exercising can help to improve both physical and mental well-being. Engaging in physical activity helps to strengthen the brain and promotes a healthy mind and attitude. Furthermore, different types of exercise an individual performs can have a different impact on their brain. The purpose of this study is to analyze what types of exercise do most college students report having an improved sense of mental well-being.

Northern Triangle Parent Perspectives On The Family Dynamic Effects Of Immigration-Driven Family Separation And Reunification

Stander Symposium Projects

This study presents the results of in-depth interviews with Northern Triangle parents who have experienced separation from, and subsequent reunification with, at least one child as part of the immigration process. It builds upon previous understanding of how family dynamics are affected by this process. Some of the main themes that emerged involved the challenges the parents faced, the factors they found to be helpful, the role of the school, and a possible return to home country. The results highlight the need for services for this growing population, particularly in the area of trauma-informed interventions that focus on repairing attachments …

The Impact Of Anxiety On Students And Possible Coping Mechanisms

Stander Symposium Projects

Anxiety is a complicated experience that can take a toll on students’ overall mental health and education. Students struggling with anxiety often feel stressed, leading to the development of negative coping mechanisms. This project examines the role anxiety plays in college students’ lives and the positive coping mechanisms that may help.

Reading Matters

Stander Symposium Projects

Reading comprehension is a critical skill for future success in students' lives. However, reading comprehension has been on the decline. This literature focuses on how reading as a whole is being taught in elementary schools and how their reading preparation prepares them for the future.

Does Engaging In Mindfulness Activities Improve Mental Well-Being In College Students?

Stander Symposium Projects

Research has shown that mental health is a common struggle among college students, which can lead to disruptions in daily routines. According to Pevekar et al., (2023), college students struggling with anxiety were more likely to have impaired academic performance, decreased quality of life, and increased utilization of healthcare services. The purpose of this research study is to determine if engaging in mindful activities can help to improve mental well-being in college-aged students.

Can't Believe It's Not Bottled!

Stander Symposium Projects

This lesson plan unit incorporates interdisciplinary courses to actively engage students in the social justice issue related to access to water and preservation of clean water. Students will critically examine and develop a way to preserve a sustainable amount of clean water in rural and urban communities. Through this unit, students will explore the scientific and mathematical principles behind water access and sustainability, while also learning about cultural and social aspects that influence water usage and management. The unit plan emphasizes experiential learning and collaborative problem-solving, empowering students to understand and tackle real-world challenges.

Exploring Accessibility In Education: Are We Creating Equal Learning Opportunities For Students With Disabilities?

Stander Symposium Projects

It was only in 1959 that laws requiring education for children with disabilities started to appear. Since then, numerous laws have been put into effect to provide these students the adequate instruction and skills support needed to succeed in school. The accessibility of schools vary between rural, suburban, and urban schools. Different access to professional development for teachers, funding for students with disabilities, and the effects of Covid have impacted accessibility in education. This review aims to look at these factors and their effects on accessibility in education and thus the education that students with disabilities are receiving.

The Brain Health Collective

Stander Symposium Projects

The Brain Health Collective produces community partnerships and interdisciplinary research that contribute to the greater good in the Greater Dayton region. The BHC consists of an Advisory Board and the following four workgroups: Professional Education, Continuum of Care, Awareness & Promotion, and Collaborative Applied Research. We also have opportunities for student involvement.

Motivating Factors In Incorporating Physical Activity Into An Individual's Daily Routine

Stander Symposium Projects

Past research has shown there are many benefits to engaging in regular physical activity. These benefits include but are not limited to managing weight/weight loss, reducing health risks, and improving mental health. The World Health Organization recommends 150-300 mins of physical activity weekly, and while there are many recommendations on the amount and type of activity there is limited research on how to get engagement in physical activity. The purpose of this research project is to better understand the motivating factors behind the start of an individual's physical activity journey.

Building Bridges, Removing Barriers: Academic Advising And Articulation Experiences Of Community College Transfer Students

Stander Symposium Projects

Community college students make up 38% of the U.S. college student population. However, only 13% of those students transfer to a four-year institution and complete a bachelor’s degree in six years. Although research has documented the many challenges community college students experience, it has been less successful in exploring specific challenges and their impact on the transfer student experience for students without the aid of a transfer pathway program. The purpose of this study is to examine experiences in academic advising and transfer credit articulation and how these areas have helped or hindered community college students without pathway program assistance. …

“Why Me?”: An Exploration Of First-Generation Students Experiencing Imposter Syndrome

Stander Symposium Projects

First-generation students experience a number of barriers in higher education, including imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is the feeling of doubt in one’s perceived achievements and abilities as it relates to their career and/or education (Clance & Imes, 1978; Peteet et al., 2015). This phenomenon impacts many facets of student wellbeing. An aspect of imposter syndrome that has not yet been explored, save for a few studies (Holden et al., 2021; Mikell & Davis, 2022), is the perspectives of first-generation students as they experience this phenomenon. This qualitative study focuses on first-generation students' experience with imposter syndrome and how such experience …

How Beneficial Are College Readiness Programs Within High Schools?

Stander Symposium Projects

College readiness programs are common within high schools across the country. Many believe that they are key in preparing students for the challenges that they will face as they prepare for college. But how effective are they really? This literature review focuses on the impacts of college readiness programs within different high schools and how effective they truly are in preparing students.

Get Involved! The Positive Difference Extracurricular Activities Make

Stander Symposium Projects

Extracurricular Activities create an abundance of opportunities for students to succeed. Students participation in extracurricular activities can lead to the development of greater academic achievement and a higher self-esteem. Extracurricular activities help students engage in activity that promotes a sense of belonging and has positive effects towards social competence. This study is a review of how extracurriculars affect students' academic and social engagement.

Physical Activity And Its Impact On Mental Health

Stander Symposium Projects

The goal of this research project was to better understand the impact physical activity can have on different mental health conditions in college students. The population that was studied were University of Dayton students aging from 18-22 years old. Participants were provided a questionnaire asking them questions regarding their daily engagement in physical activity, and their current state of mental well-being. The results of this study were analyzed to try and better understand how physical activity can be utilized as a coping mechanism for mental health conditions and stress during college.

The Montessori Method

Stander Symposium Projects

The Montessori educational philosophy and method has existed for over 100 years, and much data and research has been collected to compare and assess students' academic and social outcomes. This research provides various comparisons of the Montessori method to traditional schools, specifically looking at state performance tests and fidelity classification of programs.

Academic Achievement Gap Of Ell Students After The Covid-19 Pandemic

Stander Symposium Projects

As ELLs continue to be the fastest-growing population of K-12 public school students, itis critical to examine how ELLs were impacted by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.ELL students struggled to transition from in-class to remote learning because many educationalmaterials were not appropriate for their learning style, both before and because of COVID. (Long,2022). Now, some of these ELL students are approximately 2-3 years behind their English nativepeers in terms of academic progress. The following research will have a foundation through aliterature review as well as a focus qualitative study on ELL students and teachers. The study willgive personal accounts …