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Developing Serious Games In Engineering Education: Innovation At The Nexus Of Food, Energy, And Water Systems, Nathan Rice

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

At a time when food, energy, and water (FEW) are of the utmost concern to the security and health of the world, an initiative has begun to understand the interactions between these systems. The goal of Innovation at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems (INFEWS) is to bring together research fields that typically work in their own silos to solve complex problems increasing the resiliency and sustainability of the FEW system. Stemming from this initiative was a project to produce an educational immersive simulation game to teach youth about how their food is produced, systems thinking, and sustainable …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 30, No. 4, November 2018

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Abstract: Welcome -- Faculty and Post-Doc News -- Student News -- University of Nebraska Service Awards -- Publications -- Blast from the Past -- Save the Dates -- Busy as a Bee -- Grants -- Meet an Online Student -- Bugfest

Evolution And Nature Of Science Instruction: A First-Person Account Of Changes In Evolution Instruction Throughout A Career, Lawrence C. Scharmann

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

In this article, I provide an analysis of my work (1985–present) with non-major biology students and science teacher candidates in developing strategies for teaching and enhancing learning with respect to evolutionary science. This first-person account describes changes in evolution instruction over the course of a career based on personal experiences, research-informed practices, and a critical collaboration with colleague Mike U. Smith. I assert four insights concerning the influence and efficacy of teaching nature of science (NOS) prior to the introduction of evolution within college courses for science non-majors and science teacher candidates. These insights are: (a) teach explicit NOS principles …

The Future Is Now Science Club, Shane Stan

Honors Expanded Learning Clubs

The Future is Now! What will our planet look like in 10, 20, 50, or even 100 years? Where will we live, what will we eat, how will we travel? Believe it or not, in the coming decades, many ideas that were once science fiction will come through to realization. With this, many of the discoveries and technologies making all of this happen are being developed right now as we go about our daily lives.

In this club, appropriately titled, The Future Is Now Science Club, students will be inspired to think larger about the present world they live in. …

Robert James Baker (1942-2018), Obituary, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert D. Bradley, David J. Schmidly, Lisa C. Bradley, James J. Bull, Karen Mcbee, Meredith J. Hamilton, Peter A. Larsen

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

First paragraph:

On 30 March 2018, the science of mammalogy and the American Society of Mammalogists lost one of the most influential figures of the last half-century. Robert James Baker died quietly at his home in Lubbock, Texas (Fig. 1). He was born on 8 April 1942 to James Simeon Baker and Laura Cooper in Warren, Arkansas. His father was killed during World War II and his mother remarried, resulting in his growing up with six half-siblings. According to Robert’s autobiography in Going afield (330—number refers to specific publication in “Bibliography”), he spent a good deal of his youth with …

Safe Use Of Hydrogen Peroxide In The Organic Lab, Patrick Dussault

Organic Peroxides: Safety Issues

The article describes good practices for use of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in an organic lab setting. Major headings include:

Leading references; Toxicity; Physical properties; Chemical properties; Stability and incompatibilities; Confinement/pressure; and, References to accidents involving H₂O₂.

Alkene Ozonolysis In The Academic Lab, Patrick Dussault

Organic Peroxides: Safety Issues

The following information is offered as a guide based upon our experience with application of ozone for organic oxidations and hydroperoxide synthesis. Please send suggestions, requests, or corrections to pdussault1@unl.edu.

Introduction and leading references

Overview of ozonolysis: Mechanism, Substrate reactivity, Typical reaction conditions, Reaction monitoring, Reaction work-ups

Safety Issues

Acknowledgements:

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The following provides a brief introduction to the application of ozonolysis within academic labs. Ozonolysis remains among the most frequently used of methods for oxidative cleavage of alkenes. While best known as a means by which to introduce aldehydes and ketones, ozonolysis can also be used to generate other …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 30, No. 3, August 2018

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Congratulations -- Department Buzz -- Hutchins Nominated for USDA Undersecretary - Welcome -- Student News -- Publications -- Blast from the Past -- Grants

Working With Organic Peroxides In The Academic Lab, Patrick Dussault

Organic Peroxides: Safety Issues

ABSTRACT: The following is a brief introduction to peroxide safety from the viewpoint of a synthetic chemist. Major topics include: classes of organic peroxides; peroxide reactivity; hazard identification and minimization; reaction monitoring; and, hazards associated with auto-oxidation of peroxidizable solvents.

KEYWORDS: peroxide, hydroperoxide, hydroperoxyacetal, ozonide, perester, dihydroperoxide, monoperoxyacetal, active oxygen, peroxide strips, TLC indicator, self-accelerating decomposition, radical, exothermicity, transition metals.

CONTENTS: 1. Literature resources 2. Major classes of peroxides 3. Basis for peroxide reactivity 4. Determining reactivity and minimizing hazards a. Steps to take before an experiment b. Minimizing hazard during reactions c. Monitoring reactions d. Working with isolated peroxides …

Beginning Science Teachers' Subject Matter Knowledge, Misconceptions, And Emerging Inquiry-Based Teaching Practices (Poster), Elizabeth B. Lewis, Ana Rivero, Lyrica Lucas, Aaron Musson, Amy Tankersley

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Posters and Presentations

When we investigated the relationship of science subject matter knowledge with subsequent inquiry-based instruction, we found on average that over the induction period the MAT teachers taught lessons using more inquiry-based instruction at twice the rate of the average teacher prepared in the undergraduate program without an undergraduate degree in science. Specifically, new science teachers from the MAT program with an undergraduate degree in chemistry were better prepared to use an inquiry-based approach to teaching chemistry. Our research of our two teacher preparation programs contribute a reliable design for producing highly-qualified teachers who can provide active, engaging, constructivist learning opportunities …

Reflections On Inquiry-Based Learning In A First-Year Algebra Classroom: Implications For Practitioners, Gregory P. Sand

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This self-study examines the learning by the teacher and students in a first-year Algebra class in a medium sized Midwestern city. The author, a secondary mathematics teacher, overviews two problems of practice and outlines methodology used to study these problems within the standard curriculum of first-year Algebra taught using inquiry-based methodology. Three units of study, Inequalities, Exponents, and Parabolas are analyzed to identify the learning of students and the mathematical and pedagogical learning of the teacher. Emergent mathematical and pedagogical themes from the analysis chapters are discussed with implications for practice.

Advisor: Stephen A. Swidler

Supporting English Language Learners Inside The Mathematics Classroom: One Teacher’S Unique Perspective Working With Students During Their First Years In America, Amy Marie Fendrick

Research and Evaluation in Education, Technology, Art, and Design

Reflecting upon my personal experiences teaching mathematics to English Language Learners (ELL) in a public high school in Lincoln, Nebraska, this essay largely focuses on the time I spent as the only Accelerated Math teacher in my school building. From 2012 – 2017, I taught three different subjects at this high school: Advanced Algebra, Algebra, and Accelerated Math. This essay highlights why I chose to become a math and ELL teacher, as well as the challenges, issues, struggles, and successes I experienced during my time teaching. I focus on the challenges I faced teaching students who did not share my …

Using The Soar Approach To Teach Middle School Students About Math And Science Concepts Found In Engineering, Rachael Wagner

Honors Theses

In order to address the lack of knowledge about the engineering profession in middle-level students, the project described in this Honors Thesis was developed. Through the creation of an afterschool program centered on engineering, students were able to apply the math and science concepts covered to design, build, and test a bridge. One particular lesson from this after-school program was highlighted in this thesis, the lesson covering the Pythagorean Theorem, to demonstrate the use of SOAR methodology in the lesson’s development and later use in the classroom. The effectiveness of the Pythagorean Theorem lesson was evaluated positively based on the …

Permission To Publish Agreement, Concepts In Animal Parasitology, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

Blank Permission to Publish agreement form for authors of the Concepts in Animal Parasitology textbook/open educational resource.

High Cognitive Demand Examples In Precalculus: Examining The Work And Knowledge Entailed In Enactment, Erica R. Miller

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Historically, pass rates in undergraduate precalculus courses have been dismally low and the teaching practices and knowledge of university instructors have been understudied. To help improve teaching effectiveness and student outcomes in undergraduate precalculus courses, I have studied the cognitive demand of enacted examples. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the pedagogical work and mathematical knowledge entailed in the enactment of high cognitive demand examples in a three-part study. To answer my research questions, I conducted classroom observations as well as pre- and post-observation interviews with seven graduate student instructors at a large public R1 university in the …

The Impact Of Mentoring On Life Science Undergraduate Mentors, Kari Nelson

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Universities are increasingly encouraging their undergraduates to become mentors to others, yet relatively little research has been done to empirically understand the impact of this work on the mentors themselves. Therefore, the overall goals of this work were: (1) To evaluate the types of studies that have been conducted on the impacts of serving as an undergraduate mentor; (2) To examine the methodological rigor of recent studies and make recommendations for improvement; and (3) To asses if serving as an undergraduate mentor impacted the critical thinking of the mentors, using a valid and reliable instrument, the California Critical Thinking Skills …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 30, No. 2, May 2018

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Congratulations -- Meeting News -- Student News -- Welcome -- Blast from the Past -- Publications -- Faculty News -- Condolences

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Sharealike 4.0 International Public License (Cc By-Nc-Sa 4.0), Creative Commons

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

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Information For Authors [Slides]: Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Sue Ann Gardner, Scott Lyell Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

Broadcast via Zoom live online, the following are the slides from an information session held for authors and reviewers of the Concepts in Animal Parasitology (working title: Animal Parasitology Concepts) textbook. The work will be written collaboratively and published in 2019 as an open educational resource under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license.

References Style Guide, Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Sue Ann Gardner, Scott Lyell Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

References style guide for authors of the Concepts in Animal Parasitology free, online textbook.

Template For Authors For Part Two (Endoparasites) And Part Three (Ectoparasites And Parasitoids), Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Sue Ann Gardner, Scott Lyell Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

Support material for authors of the open educational resource, Concepts in Animal Parasitology, Part 2 (Endoparasites) and Part 3 (Ectoparasites and Parasitoids).

Manuscript Preparation Guidelines, Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Paul Royster, Sue Ann Gardner, Scott Lyell Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

Zea Books manuscript preparation guidelines for authors of the Concept in Animal Parasitology free, online textbook.

Instructions For Authors, Concepts In Animal Parasitology, Sue Ann Gardner, Scott Lyell Gardner

Concepts in Animal Parasitology Textbook

Instructions for authors for the Concepts in Animal Parasitology free, online textbook.

Development & Analysis Of A Science Outreach Event For Elementary Aged Children: Archie's Late-Night Party, Bailey Peterson

Honors Theses

Science Outreach is important because it facilitates learning and an increase in interest in the sciences. This thesis outlines the development of a set of stations as part of “Archie’s Late-Night Party,” an event held in June, 2017 at Morrill Hall. The goal of the Morrill Hall event was to create multiple activities and educational stations for elementary aged children in various scientific fields. Under the guidance of Dr. Gwen Bachman, I created two stations to present at the event: “Sleep & Hibernation” and “Nocturnal Vision.” I describe the multiple factors and challenges that go into building stations that are …

Fossils On The Floor In The Nebraska State Capitol: A Coloring And Activities Book, Robert F. Diffendal Jr.

Conservation and Survey Division

The Nebraska State Capitol is a wonderful place. This building is home to great treasures of art owned by the people of Nebraska. The floor of the Capitol Rotunda has beautiful works of art. Maybe you have seen this art. Small pieces of two kinds of rocks make pictures of people, their tools, the natural resources they used, and pictures of fossil animals and plants. These kinds of pictures are called mosaics [moe ZAY icks]. The animals and plants follow one another in a curved ribbon around the floor. In that ribbon of pictures are many kinds of fossil animals …

Eight-Legged Encounters—Arachnids, Volunteers, And Art Help To Bridge The Gap Between Informal And Formal Science Learning, Eileen Hebets, Melissa Welch-Lazoritz, Pawl Tisdale, Patricia Wonch Hill

Eileen Hebets Publications

Increased integration and synergy between formal and informal learning environments is proposed to provide multiple benefits to science learners. In an effort to better bridge these two learning contexts, we developed an educational model that employs the charismatic nature of arachnids to engage the public of all ages in science learning; learning that aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas associated with Biodiversity and Evolution). We created, implemented, and evaluated a family-focused, interactive science event—Eight-Legged Encounters (ELE)—which encompasses more than twenty modular activities. Volunteers facilitated participant involvement at each activity station and original …

In Their Own Words: The Significance Of Participant Perceptions In Assessing Entomology Citizen Science Learning Outcomes Using A Mixed Methods Approach, Louise I. Lynch, Jenny Dauer, Wayne A. Babchuk, Tiffany Heng-Moss, Doug Golick

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

A mixed methods study was used to transcend the traditional pre-, post-test approach of citizen science evaluative research by integrating adults’ test scores with their perceptions. We assessed how contributory entomology citizen science affects participants’ science self-efficacy, self-efficacy for environmental action, nature relatedness and attitude towards insects. Pre- and post-test score analyses from citizen scientists (n = 28) and a control group (n = 72) were coupled with interviews (n = 11) about science experiences and entomological interactions during participation. Considering quantitative data alone, no statistically significant changes were evident in adults following participation in citizen science when compared to …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 30, No. 1, February 2018

Hexapod Herald and Other Entomology Department Newsletters

Contents: Welcome - Congratulations - Faculty News - Gamma Sigma Delta Awards - Publications - Blast from the Past - Baxendale Retirement Reception

Diagnostic Effects Of An Early Mastery Activity In College Algebra And Precalculus, Nathan Wakefield, Joe Champion, Jessalyn Bolkema, Douglas Dailey

Department of Mathematics: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to investigate implementation of an early intervention mastery activity during the first two weeks of college algebra and precalculus courses at a large U.S. public university. Statistical modeling of (N = 935) students’ performance in the courses, including a logistic regression model of pass/fail course achievement with students’ high school rank, ACT Mathematics scores, and performance on the intervention as explanatory variables, suggested significant independent differences in course performance across performance levels on the early mastery activity. An evaluation of diagnostic validity for the model yielded a 19% false negative rate (predicted to …

Science At Engineer Cantonment, Hugh H. Genoways, Brett C. Ratcliffe, Carl R. Falk, Thomas E. Labedz, Paul R. Picha, John R. Bozell

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Conclusions

It is our contention that Thomas Say, Titian Peale, Edwin James, and their colleagues of the Stephen Long Expedition of 1819–1820 were heavily engaged in scientific research, which took the form of the first biodiversity inventory undertaken in the United States. This accomplishment has been overlooked both by biologists and historians, but it should rank among the most significant accomplishments of the expedition. The results of this inventory continue to inform us today about environmental, faunal, and floral changes along the Missouri River in an area that is known to be an ecotone between the deciduous forests of the …