Education Commons^™

Empowering Youth Through Social Justice: A Mixed Methods Case Study Of The Deaf Community Travel Trunk Project, Emma Halliburton, Lisa Moore

Undergraduate Research Conference

As part of my honors requirement in my d/Deaf Education program, I crafted a Travel Trunk for humane education focusing on the area of social justice. Within that, due to my own personal connections, I elected for my Travel Trunk to center the Deaf Community. Using the book Listen, which details Evelyn Glennie's achievements, the project aimed to instill empathy. Students engaged with Glennie's story through a YouTube video and hands-on percussion activities, including wearing noise-canceling headphones. The research included pre- and post-surveys in an elementary classroom, assessing perceptions of deaf individuals as well as a field observation protocol. Utilizing …

Professional Development As An Opportunity To Enhance Your Praxis, Brittany Falco

Undergraduate Research Conference

This study examines the impact of participating in two different professional developments on enhancing praxis. The first professional development focused on skill-building while the second focused on reflective practice. Results indicate that both professional developments were effective in enhancing praxis, but the reflective practice approach had a greater impact on sustained improvement. These findings suggest that a combination of skill-building and reflective practice can be an effective approach to professional development for enhancing praxis.

Study Away With Sfa: The Opportunity For Accessible Cross Cultural Learning, Cat Davis, Terra Newsom, Skylar Perry

Undergraduate Research Conference

Study Away was proposed by our professor as an accessible alternative to traditional study abroad programs. Accessible because it is more affordable and it opens up this cross cultural opportunity to students who may be undocumented. We traveled the country for five weeks in a Mercedes sprinter van exploring places such as Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Albuquerque, the Great Lakes, New York City, the Appalachian Mountains, and New Orleans to name a few. Throughout, we engaged in critical conversations and opportunities for self-growth. This presentation will share our perspectives regarding study away as it compares to study abroad.

How Registered Dietitians Can Prevent Foodborne Illness In Long Term Care Facilities, Amanda Albright

Undergraduate Research Conference

The role of a Registered Dietitian (RD) in long-term care facilities (LTCF) is to maintain the nutritional status of their patients by building appropriate diets, advocating for the patient with their doctors, ensuring proper caloric intake, and providing patient education on the relationship between a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle (2022, RD Nutrition Consultants, LLC). Before a RD is able to help ensure proper nutrition for the patient they must the make sure the meal was safely prepared as well as obtained and will not cause any unintentional harm to the patient by causing a foodborne illness. Countless hours …

Building Valuable Connections In The Hospitality And Tourism Industry, Brooke Pulliam

Undergraduate Research Conference

This project's purpose was to organize the first hospitality industry networking event by the students in the Hospitality Administration program. This networking event established the relationship between industry partners and hospitality students. In addition, paving the way for internship and job opportunities. CHALL

Baking Without Gluten: Maximizing Nutrition Without Compromising Appeal, Callie Dunkerson

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of the current study was to determine the appropriate adjustments needed to transform an ordinary muffin recipe into gluten-free (GF) muffins made with flaxseed meal (FM). Two batches of muffins were made, but all-purpose flour was replaced with FM, rice flour (RF), and xanthan gum in the experimental recipe. Participants conducted a sensory evaluation on both muffins. The GF muffin tasted similar to the control (C) but did not align with the C texture. This study illustrates the impact of GF flour components on baked goods and evidences the ability to create healthful and delicious alternatives for individuals …

Drones As A Teaching Instrument In The Social Studies Classroom, Michele Morgan

Undergraduate Research Conference

Drones have been considered a hot new technology for classrooms, albeit somewhat inaccessible. They can often be found in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) settings, in classrooms offering Gifted and Talented (GT) programming, or in advanced high school classrooms. It is rarely seen in elementary social studies classrooms, however. And that intrigued me. Could drones become accessible tools for elementary classrooms? We were determined to find out.

Exploring Adolescent Learning Theory: A Service Learning Case Study, Harley Harris-Lewis

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of this study was to conduct interviews with middle level students and gain insight into the minds and attitudes of adolescent children. Three interviews took place over the course of the semester and were recorded for reference. Throughout this project, the interviews were child-centered and focused on theories and research presented in Sara Powell’s (2020) Introduction to Middle Level Education. A reflection was written at the conclusion of each interview.

Native Knowledge 360° Essential Understandings Framework: Reflections Using The Five Level Evaluation Model, Ashlyn Lafleur

Undergraduate Research Conference

Native Knowledge 360o (NK360o) is a program designed by the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) to “provide educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures” (NMAI, 2022). This initiative provides educational materials, student programming and teacher development. For the purpose of this reflection, the authors will focus on a professional development session offered in January 2022.

Examining Student Performance Using Statistical Data To Inform Instruction: A New Way To Ensure Teaching Effectiveness While Building On A Student's Cultural Capital & Funds Of Knowledge, Esther Hernandez, Ava Green

Undergraduate Research Conference

Teaching is a dynamic process and therefore demands deep and critical thinking, not just in regards to lesson planning but in terms of the specific needs of each student. In this project, we embarked on a lesson that required deep analysis of our context, ourselves, and our students.

Machine Learning In Support Of Student Success, Rachel Rucker

Undergraduate Research Conference

Our goal is to predict whether a student will finish the semester on academic probation by mid-term using university data.

Impact Of Covid-19 On Course Presentation & The Efficacy, Madison Gartman

Undergraduate Research Conference

With the appearance of COVID-19 in March of 2020, classes on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University’s (SFASU) were forced to move online out of concern for the health and safety of the faculty and students. Due to this fact, the modality of many courses was forced to change. With the change of modality, some students and faculty- who had limited experience with online classes- were forced to conquer the entirety of their course load and instruction online. However, with this abrupt change arose some creative teaching techniques that aided students’ remote academic success for the remainder of …

Opportunities And Rationale For Asian American Representation In 4th Grade Social Studies Teks, Amy Kitzman, Sarah Shingler

Undergraduate Research Conference

As retired United States Air Force Major Arthur D. Jacob (n.d.) notes, “Their story must not be forgotten. It deserves to be told. To date, it remains shrouded in history.” As educators, we have the power to change that for our students and help them see themselves in the curriculum. In this paper, the researchers completed a structured vignette analysis to position themselves as they analyzed the 4th grade social studies TEKS for opportunities to combat the hegemonic narrative. We reviewed the TEKS to look for standards that allowed for countering this narrative and emerged with a practitioner plan for …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Building Excellence Conference, Jordan Stanford

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy In English Language Arts With A Focus On How To Make American Literature Culturally Sustaining And Relevant To Students Of Color, Erica Pinkham

Undergraduate Research Conference

This project analyzes the literature that is usually chosen in an English III classroom, which focuses on American literature, and specifically how these choices affect a classroom in a rural area. The literature that is chosen tends to lean towards authors that are white, middle-aged, and middle-class. This lens that teachers are using is limited to students with those experiences and those that can relate to being white, middle-aged, or middle-class. Rural areas often do not relate to this lens, and thus cannot relate to the literature that is provided in their English classrooms.

Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, which is a …

A Multiple Perspective Journal Through The Texas Revolution Via Graphic Design, Kelly Tatum

Undergraduate Research Conference

Our ELED 3330 course charged us with being critical of our promotion of the hegemonic narrative. This inspired me to analyze 4 4th grade social studies TEKS to identify an opportunity for representation.

After a brief review of the literature, I used my skills in graphic design to develop a story utilizing primary sources that shares the Mexican perspective during the time immediately leading up to the Battle of San Jacinto.

Selected images from this graphic design will be shown. A lesson plan was also developed for implementation in a fourth grade classroom.

Analyzing Sources Of Bias For Teacher Preparation, Amy Kitzman, Kendall Moore, Alexa Velasquez Ochoa

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of this study is for pre-service teachers to begin the process of critical self-reflection that is so necessary as they begin to gain more autonomy in their field placements and student teaching. However, a critical self-awareness is merely the first step. To truly understand the prejudice that a person has, one must seek to discover why this prejudice exists and from where it comes. Prejudice is internal and it can be argued that an internal belief does not have an impact on external relationships. Prejudice, unfortunately, often manifests as discrimination or prejudice. If a teacher can authentically examine …

The Artist Residency And Lumen Printing, Austin Cullen

Undergraduate Research Conference

The artist residency is a critical and informative experience that is privileged to few, and revered by many. Creating work in a completely foreign environment can yield beautiful and new work that the artists could have never conceived of making. Artwork could be made about anything, but choosing a specific subject matter, or theme, can be very challenging. This difficulty arises from lack of knowledge, experience, or most importantly, being bored with one's surroundings. Artist residencies, often being in other countries and always providing a new atmosphere, can be a great way to jumpstart new artwork. Residencies are incredibly difficult …

Voices From The Field: Regarding Elementary Teachers, Traci Christine Dorsett

Undergraduate Research Conference

Purpose-to explore what the most important advice new teachers will want to know before entering the field of elementary education.

Research questions: (1) What is the most reoccurring advice given from the teachers surveyed? (2) What were similarities and differences that occurred between teacher candidates and teachers?

Caddo Inspired Coil Pots, Jordan Weaver

Undergraduate Research Conference

When my bosses, John Handley and Alisa Steed, asked me to plan an educational program to go along with the upcoming Contemporary Caddo art show at the Cole Art Center I knew I wanted to find an art lesson to teach children. Creating is a great way to teach children about history because it invites them to take an active role in their education, rather than passively listening. After learning that traditional Caddo potters created coil pots out of clay, I knew I wanted to teach this art form to children in the community. Making coil pots requires children to …

Auditioning At The Southeastern Theatre Conference As An Undergraduate Student, Aubrey Moore

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Determination Differences Between Men And Women In Mathematics, Lacy Cook

Undergraduate Research Conference

We analyzed data collected from 35 Tyler Junior College Students collected over three testing sessions. Students were asked to take a five-question math test. The test included four questions from the American High School Math Examination, where the problems are designed to be solvable for students without any upper level (calculus) mathematics background as well as one randomly generated question. Students were asked to take as much time as they needed, but no longer than one hour to complete the test. We used the amount of time spent on the test to measure the students' level of determination. The goal …

Representation Of Minorities Displayed On College Webpages, Jose Cruz Perez

Undergraduate Research Conference

Advertisements play an important role in nearly everyone's life. Every single day people view a wide range of advertisements. With the population of America becoming more and more diverse in terms of race it would make sense that advertisements would reflect that same concept. However, it does not appear that advertisements actually reflect this idea. In the 2010 ads for the Super Bowl, only four out of the sixty-seven featured an African American in an ad. (Lapchick, 2010) Not only are minorities not being adequately represented in advertisements but they also only get featured for certain ads. African Americans find …

The Effects Of Poverty: Children And Education, Elizabeth Hamilton

Undergraduate Research Conference

At the Boys and Girls Club of Nacogdoches, it is obvious that poverty is well known to the children, as this program aims to help low-income families. The concept addressed in the following presentation is the affect poverty has on a child and their education. Through academic literature and personal experience, the author was able to explain how poverty can affect a child’s development, academic performance, and behavior. Lastly, recommendations will be made on how the Boys and Girls Club can improve parent and school involvement, as well as improve the volunteer experience.

Exploration In The Association Of Authoritative Parenting And Adolescent’S Success In A Junior College Honors Program, Kassandra Mariel Soledad

Undergraduate Research Conference

The presented study examines authoritative parenting and its associations with an adolescent's success. There is a significant gap in the knowledge in regard to the impact of parental tough love on adolescents. It is important to determine the answer to the problem because it could help fill the significant gap in the knowledge. This research will help determine if an authoritative parenting style is effective in making an adolescent successful. It can help a parent decide how to or not to raise their children. The evidence found in this study can also be used to help inform parents of the …

Developing Intercultural Awareness Through A Study Abroad Program, Benjamin Dickey

Undergraduate Research Conference

Purpose of Study

To examine how pre-service teachers (PSTs) can develop intercultural Awareness through study abroad experiences.

Can We Teach Fake News In The Classroom With Just One Lesson?, Melissa Caruso

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of this study is to investigate if teaching one lesson about spotting “fake news” is enough to help improve elementary education majors’ ability to spot fake news.

Heteronormativity In Kindergarten Classrooms, Megan Martsolf

Undergraduate Research Conference

Heteronormativity is the belief that people fall into distinct and complementary genders with natural roles in life. The idea is that the culture within elementary schools influences the children’s academic, behavioral, and psychological well-being. During this period of a child’s life, heteronormativity develops. The purpose of this research is to gain a greater understanding of the prevalence of heteronormativity in elementary school classrooms, specifically kindergarten. To understand this process, I will systematically observe classrooms within kindergarten. The methodological approach of this research will include both qualitative and quantitative analysis, specifically interviews with teachers and content analysis of the classroom environment. …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Male Teachers In The Elementary Grades, Benjamin Dickey

Undergraduate Research Conference

Purpose of the Study: Examine perceptions of male and female teachers, related to gender, in elementary schools. Obtain knowledge on how my gender may potentially affect my future. Research

D.R.I.V.E.N. School System: A Reformed Education Model, Dannika Blackhurst

Undergraduate Research Conference

We believe there is a lack of individualized and effective learning experience in the majority of education systems in the status quo. This leads to a disdain for everyday school life, indecisiveness in selecting a field of study post-high school, and the absence of passion for attaining knowledge that extends throughout a lifetime. After conducting research regarding alternative teaching methods and school structures through this joint project, we have developed D.R.I.V.E.N. School System in order to satisfy this need. In 5th grade, we will test students for emerging qualities that indicate they will excel in a certain area. Their education …