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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Soil Health Class-2: Soil Ph, Jiyul Chang, Becki Ritter, Dean Feller, Madhav P. Nepal Feb 2024

Soil Health Class-2: Soil Ph, Jiyul Chang, Becki Ritter, Dean Feller, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

This lesson on soil pH explores the crucial role of soil acidity or alkalinity in plant health and productivity. Soil pH, or potential of Hydrogen ions in soil, is a measure of how acidic or basic soil is. Appropriate soil pH condition is important to grow plants. If soil pH is not appropriate, plants cannot absorb nutrients from soil well, then plants cannot grow well and cannot produce vegetables. This class will show what an appropriate soil pH condition is and how to measure soil pH of garden using simple test kit. Covering the pH scale from acidic to alkaline, …


Introduction To Soil Health For High School Students, Jiyul Chang, Becki Ritter, Dean Feller, Madhav P. Nepal Jan 2024

Introduction To Soil Health For High School Students, Jiyul Chang, Becki Ritter, Dean Feller, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Growing food from soil is a basic and important work to continue supporting the growing human population. Producing more foods and producing healthy food are challenging tasks, because producing foods use soil nutrients but can deplete the soil. This can adversely affect the natural balance. If the soil is healthy, we will not only increase production but also grow healthy food. This class is a starting point for learning about Soil Health – where students will learn about how the soil functions and how it directly influences the food we grow. In summary, it is all about striking the right …


Lakota Ethnobotany For South Dakota Middle School Students, Mikayla .Janis, Michael. A. Little Eagle, Madhav P. Nepal Dec 2023

Lakota Ethnobotany For South Dakota Middle School Students, Mikayla .Janis, Michael. A. Little Eagle, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this engaging lesson, students use mobile apps to identify local plant species in their school yards, along nature trails, or in any designated areas on the reservation. They will document the common names and morphological characteristics of the identified plants, explore native names, and uses, as well as the roles of plants in biogeochemical cycles. This immersive experience not only deepens students’ interest in science but also allows them to understand the bigger role of plants in the natural balance, enhancing their appreciation of the deeper connections between the Lakota culture and plant species.


Lakota Ethnobotany For The First Graders, Mikayla A. .Janis, Michael. A. Little Eagle, Madhav P. Nepal Nov 2023

Lakota Ethnobotany For The First Graders, Mikayla A. .Janis, Michael. A. Little Eagle, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students explore the Ethnobotany of the Lakota people, learning about the deep connection between the Lakota culture and native plants. Through a Schoolyard Walk or a Nature Walk, they observe and learn the Lakota names of three plants, their uses and importance to the Lakota people. Students engage in discussions and storytelling, understanding how these plants are like friends to the Lakota, serving various purposes such as in ceremonies or as food sources. The hands-on craft activity allows them to express what they learn by coloring plant parts and conceptualizing the life cycle of a plant. Overall, …


The Role Of Cadherins And Ryk On Metastasis And Invasion In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Model: Hs578t/Hs578ts(I)8, Ibis Iser Jan 2023

The Role Of Cadherins And Ryk On Metastasis And Invasion In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Model: Hs578t/Hs578ts(I)8, Ibis Iser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer is a major cause of death among women in European and North American countries, even with improved methods for diagnosis and therapy. The mortality of breast cancer is mainly due to the migration of the primary tumor to distinct sites in the body and is very common in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This type of breast cancer affects younger woman and has a high recurrence rate. Unfortunately, TNBC is extremely difficult to control because of the absence of specific targets for treatment. Therefore, our research aim is to discover new therapeutic targets and identify novel approaches for …


Stem And Pre-Health Students’ Diminishing Online Conversation Volume Regarding Majors And Careers Within The Field: Why Higher Education Should Care, Susan Roh Jan 2023

Stem And Pre-Health Students’ Diminishing Online Conversation Volume Regarding Majors And Careers Within The Field: Why Higher Education Should Care, Susan Roh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the STEM and pre-health online mention volume change regarding STEM and pre-health majors, careers, and universities, with the data collection period encompassing August of 2018 through June of 2021. We evaluated if the mention sentiment shifted between academic year periods. The data gathered for this study was procured in collaboration with Campus Sonar and the social-listening tool of Brandwatch, which allowed for specifications of the data collected. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine the means of the majors, careers, and universities mentions and mean sentiment volumes. Changes in not only online conversation …


Exploring Bacterial Diversity Through Hand-Printing & Bacterial Art, Sudeshna Roy, Mark Abrahamson, Madhav Nepal, Nicholas Butzin Sep 2022

Exploring Bacterial Diversity Through Hand-Printing & Bacterial Art, Sudeshna Roy, Mark Abrahamson, Madhav Nepal, Nicholas Butzin

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Bacteria are present in a wide variety of environments, ranging from deep ocean floor to volcanoes. Based on their niche, bacteria can differ in their physiologies. This lesson is designed to make the students aware of the presence of bacteria in their surroundings. This lesson also aims to demonstrate the diversity in bacterial species using colorful bacteria. The bacteria used in this lesson require specific temperatures to grow and develop their color. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to visualize the different colored bacteria on the plate.


Toward Genetic Engineering: Teaching Transformation Using The Pglo Plasmid In High School Classrooms, Isaac Kovash, Tahmina Hossain, Sudeshna Roy, Michael Mitchell, Madhav P. Nepal, Nicholas Butzin Sep 2022

Toward Genetic Engineering: Teaching Transformation Using The Pglo Plasmid In High School Classrooms, Isaac Kovash, Tahmina Hossain, Sudeshna Roy, Michael Mitchell, Madhav P. Nepal, Nicholas Butzin

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson plan, students will learn about genetic engineering and perform the same transformation protocol used by scientists on a daily basis around the world. Genetic engineering is a technique used for direct manipulation, alteration, or modification of genes or genomes of an organism to manipulate the phenotypes. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has emerged everywhere as a mainstay from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. Through this lesson, students will transform Escherichia coli with pGLO plasmid, which give a brilliant fluorescent green glow under UV light. Students will also learn the central dogma of molecular biology: DNA à RNA …


Teaching Dna Extractions From Fruits (Strawberry, Banana, Kiwi, And Watermelon), Amadea Pourier, Dillon Nelson, Wiyaka Pomarleau, Kay Cutler, Madhav P. Nepal Apr 2022

Teaching Dna Extractions From Fruits (Strawberry, Banana, Kiwi, And Watermelon), Amadea Pourier, Dillon Nelson, Wiyaka Pomarleau, Kay Cutler, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will use a simple DNA extraction solution and isopropyl alcohol to extract DNA from strawberries, banana, kiwi, and watermelon. The extraction solution consists of dish detergent, water, and table salt. Grinding or crushing the soft fruit tissue will separate the cells. The dish detergent breaks down the membranes, exposing the DNA to the solution. The salt helps the DNA molecule to stick together from the proteins. The cold alcohol dissolves everything but the DNA, which forms an insoluble layer of the DNA allowing it to be visible.


Teaching Medicinal Plants Used By Native Americans, Amadea Pourier, Dillon Nelson, Wiyaka Pomarleau, Kay Cutler, Madhav P. Nepal Apr 2022

Teaching Medicinal Plants Used By Native Americans, Amadea Pourier, Dillon Nelson, Wiyaka Pomarleau, Kay Cutler, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will also be able to identify four medicinal plants, describe their characteristics and discuss medicinal uses. Students will use their senses to experience the uses of these medicinal plants. The plants highlighted in this lesson are Chokecherry Tree, Prairie Sage, Lead Plant, and Purple Cornflower. The senses used may consist of smelling the aroma of sage, burning the root of the purple coneflower, or tasting the infusion of the Lead Plant.


Teaching Medicinal Plants Used By Native Americans, Amadea Pourier, Dillon Nelson, Kay Cutler, Madhav Nepal Apr 2022

Teaching Medicinal Plants Used By Native Americans, Amadea Pourier, Dillon Nelson, Kay Cutler, Madhav Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will also be able to identify four medicinal plants, describe their characteristics and discuss medicinal uses. Students will use their senses to experience the uses of these medicinal plants. The plants highlighted in this lesson are Chokecherry Tree, Prairie Sage, Lead Plant, and Purple Cornflower. The senses used may consist of smelling the aroma of sage, burning the root of the purple coneflower, or tasting the infusion of the Lead Plant.


Curriculum Development Of Agricultural Educators In South Dakota, Mercedes Lemke Jan 2022

Curriculum Development Of Agricultural Educators In South Dakota, Mercedes Lemke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Curriculum development is an essential component of teaching. Understanding how agriculture education teachers utilize, develop, and adapt content to curriculum can benefit teachers to spend less time on curriculum development. Recognizing the way agriculture education teachers use content in curriculum implementation will allow curriculum developers to create materials that can effectively be used by teachers. This study also looked at the affects of how COVID19 pandemic affected the way teachers locate and develop curriculum. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the way agriculture education instructor’s usage of content for curriculum development, implementation decisions and the affects of the …


Small Gas Engines Interactive Notebook, P. Troy White Apr 2021

Small Gas Engines Interactive Notebook, P. Troy White

STEM & Agricultural Education Curriculum Resources

A Small Gas Engines interactive notebook to help prepare students for the Briggs & Stratton Master Service Technician Exam 1.


School Gardening In America And A Survey Of South Dakota Schools, Aminah Hassoun Jan 2021

School Gardening In America And A Survey Of South Dakota Schools, Aminah Hassoun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School gardening has a longstanding history in American education, dating as far back as the mid-1800s. Despite fluctuations in popularity throughout the twentieth century, school gardens have grown into an established method for hands-on teaching. This paper builds upon a historical framework of school gardening in American public education with particular focus on the connections between school gardens and agricultural education. This study offers a descriptive portrait of contemporary K-12 school gardens in South Dakota. Schools across the state were surveyed about their gardens to gain a better understanding of garden-based teaching in practice both in general education and agricultural …


Teaching Natural And Artificial Selection In Production Agriculture, Madhav P. Nepal, Clayton W. Scott Mar 2020

Teaching Natural And Artificial Selection In Production Agriculture, Madhav P. Nepal, Clayton W. Scott

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will learn how natural selection and artificial selection impact both production agriculture and biological sciences. A natural selection is a mechanism that favors heritable traits that increase species survival and reproduction. Artificial selection is a selective breeding, where humans select for desirable traits in agricultural products.


Teachers' Perceptions Of Experiential Learning In The 3-Circle Agricultural Education Model, Jon C. Schreurs Jan 2020

Teachers' Perceptions Of Experiential Learning In The 3-Circle Agricultural Education Model, Jon C. Schreurs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to describe teachers’ perceptions of experiential learning and its effects on student learning, understanding, and engagement through agriculture education's three-circle model. This paper explores teachers’ perceptions of the value and importance of experiential learning in agriculture education instruction, FFA, and supervised agricultural experience. Further, I explore experiential learning, constructivism, and hands-on learning as the foundational instructional practices used in agricultural education. Agricultural education teachers from southwest Minnesota were surveyed to determine how they are using experiential learning in their agriculture education programs, including classroom instruction, FFA, and supervised agricultural experiences.


The Association Between The Comprehensiveness And Strength Of Written Physical Activity Wellness Policies And The Observed School Physical Activity Environment, Maggie Kringen Jan 2020

The Association Between The Comprehensiveness And Strength Of Written Physical Activity Wellness Policies And The Observed School Physical Activity Environment, Maggie Kringen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To determine if there is a relationship between physical education/activity wellness policy comprehensiveness and strength and the observed physical activity (PA) environment.
Methods: The Wellness School Assessment Tool 2.0 (WellSAT 2.0) was used to evaluate the quality of written wellness policies. The School Physical Activity and Nutrition Environment Tool (SPAN-ET) was used to evaluate the school environment. Pairwise correlations and one-way ANOVAs were used to determine if written wellness policy quality affects the school PA environment. Data are presented as mean ± SD and significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: One significant relationship was found between WellSAT …


Using Ripple Effects Maps To Identify Story Threads: A Framework To Link Private To Public Value, Jane E. Haskell, Barbara A. Baker, Melissa D. Olfert, Sarah E. Colby, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Adrienne A. White Oct 2019

Using Ripple Effects Maps To Identify Story Threads: A Framework To Link Private To Public Value, Jane E. Haskell, Barbara A. Baker, Melissa D. Olfert, Sarah E. Colby, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Adrienne A. White

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Extension professionals must demonstrate organizational value to garner public awareness and support. Measuring and communicating outcomes that have public value can be challenging. In this study, Ripple Effects Mapping incorporating the Community Capitals Framework was used to evaluate a childhood obesity prevention study, iCook 4-H, of youth-adult pairs in Maine. The objective was to describe the process of generating impact statements through story threads about program benefits to the participants and the potential benefits to nonparticipants, such as family members, friends, and other community members. Extension professionals can use storylines, or story threads, as a qualitative research technique to generate …


Sustainable Agriculture Lesson For Middle School Classrooms, Sara Colombe, Madhav P. Nepal, Jennifer Mclaughlin, Matthew L. Miller, Larry B. Browning, P. Troy White Mar 2019

Sustainable Agriculture Lesson For Middle School Classrooms, Sara Colombe, Madhav P. Nepal, Jennifer Mclaughlin, Matthew L. Miller, Larry B. Browning, P. Troy White

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this lesson, students will learn about sustainability, where farmers/agriculturists can meet the needs of food, fiber, and fuel for the growing population. Students learn about growing population, its growth rate, major food source, sustainability barrel, potential ripple effects of positive impacts as well as the food waste and its effects.


Using Drones For Precision Agriculture, Jiyul Chang, Madhav P. Nepal Mar 2019

Using Drones For Precision Agriculture, Jiyul Chang, Madhav P. Nepal

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this teaching module, students will learn what Precision Agriculture is and how to apply drone into Precision Agriculture practices. To use data (images) taken by drone, students will learn the basic theory of Remote Sensing. Using images, students learn how to make NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) maps and how to apply drone (remote sensing technique) in agriculture.


Using Publicly Available Genbank Data To Teach Plant Phylogeny In High School Classrooms, Madhav P. Nepal, Ethan J. Andersen Feb 2019

Using Publicly Available Genbank Data To Teach Plant Phylogeny In High School Classrooms, Madhav P. Nepal, Ethan J. Andersen

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this teaching module, students will learn about NCBI GenBank, search for DNA/protein sequences from multiple plant species of a gene that encodes Rubisco enzyme, construct and interpret a phylogenetic tree, and discuss traits that allowed plants to adapt their life on land.


Understanding Greenhouse Gases, Julie M. Mueller, Laura Edwards, Madhav P. Nepal, Larry B. Browning, Matthew L. Miller, P. Troy White Jan 2019

Understanding Greenhouse Gases, Julie M. Mueller, Laura Edwards, Madhav P. Nepal, Larry B. Browning, Matthew L. Miller, P. Troy White

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Students will conduct hands-on experiments to see how greenhouse gases interact with the Earth’s atmosphere and how greenhouse gases affect temperature. This lesson introduces National Geographic’s Geo-Inquiry Process, where students will identify a Geo-inquiry question, collect data, and create a project around the answer to their question. Students will then present their findings to their peers and evaluate their Geo-Inquiry process.


Climate Change Within A Biome, Tyone Kruse, Lisa Forcier, Madhav P. Nepal, Larry B. Browning, Matthew L. Miller, P. Troy White Jan 2019

Climate Change Within A Biome, Tyone Kruse, Lisa Forcier, Madhav P. Nepal, Larry B. Browning, Matthew L. Miller, P. Troy White

iLEARN Teaching Resources

In this iLEARN lesson, students will investigate impacts of climate change on the native plants and animals, as well as the fisheries, agriculture, and forestry, within a biome of their choosing, and then develop and refine a solution for one of the impacts resulting from the climate change.


Undergraduate Research And Teaching At Oak Lake Field Station, Lan Xu Jan 2019

Undergraduate Research And Teaching At Oak Lake Field Station, Lan Xu

Oak Lake Field Station 30th Anniversary Retreat Presentations

No abstract provided.


Parents In Urbanized Areas And Their Perception Of 4-H Youth Development Programs, Matthew Ryan Olson Jan 2019

Parents In Urbanized Areas And Their Perception Of 4-H Youth Development Programs, Matthew Ryan Olson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions held by parents living in the urbanized area of Rapid City, South Dakota, to determine if artificial barriers to joining 4-H PYD programs existed. Through snowball sampling methods, nine participants were recruited to engage in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts from the interviews were coded utilizing in vivo and axial coding methods. Four themes emerged from the interviews: characteristics of youth development programs, program promotion through school flyers, barriers to joining youth development programs, and 4-H and its connection to agriculture. The major recommendation for 4-H professionals is to focus on leadership, life skills, and character development …


Parliamentary Procedure Interactive Notebook, Amie Carter, P. Troy White, Laura Hasselquist, Madhav Nepal Oct 2018

Parliamentary Procedure Interactive Notebook, Amie Carter, P. Troy White, Laura Hasselquist, Madhav Nepal

STEM & Agricultural Education Curriculum Resources

These resources were developed as an undergraduate student research experience. During the summer and fall of 2018, the Agricultural Education faculty in the Department of Teaching, Learning & Leadership recruited teachers and students to pilot and suggest revisions to these resources and to report their effectiveness in promoting engagement and learning of Parliamentary Procedure.

This item contains three downloadable files. Student and teacher notebooks are designed to be printed on 8.5"x14" pages in booklet format. The cutouts are on standards letter size paper.


A Community Based Participatory Approach To Training Young Adults To Design And Implement A Social Marketing Framed Lifestyle Intervention On Their College Campus, Melissa D. Olfert, Makenzie L. Barr, Kristin Riggsbee, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Krista Leischner, Anne E. Mathews, Melissa Vilaro, Sarah E. Colby Sep 2018

A Community Based Participatory Approach To Training Young Adults To Design And Implement A Social Marketing Framed Lifestyle Intervention On Their College Campus, Melissa D. Olfert, Makenzie L. Barr, Kristin Riggsbee, Kendra K. Kattelmann, Krista Leischner, Anne E. Mathews, Melissa Vilaro, Sarah E. Colby

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach may increase the likelihood of relevance and acceptability of the designed intervention, especially on a college campus. Furthermore, recruiting and training college students to design a social marketing framed healthy lifestyle intervention for their peers will allow the intervention to be tailored to the needs of the campus. Objectives: To describe the process of online-course training college students to develop a campus-based, social marketing health promotion intervention. Methods: Four universities recruited current college students (18+ y.o.) to develop a social marketing and environmental intervention (SMEI), which was completed during a 16-week, online/in-person …


Introduction To Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems, P. Troy White Jul 2018

Introduction To Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems, P. Troy White

STEM & Agricultural Education Curriculum Resources

This presentation is an introductory lesson on integration of crop-livestock systems in the United States. The lesson includes national Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Standards, objectives, and a student project. This lesson is intended to be inquiry-based, and as such only foundational information is presented. Students are expected to take the introductory information and fins specific information needed to sold the problem posed at the beginning of the presentation. It is expected that at a minimum this lesson will take three 50-minute class periods and could take longer based on teacher preferences.


Effects Of Standards-Based Grading On Students In Agricultural Education, Matthew Tripp Jan 2018

Effects Of Standards-Based Grading On Students In Agricultural Education, Matthew Tripp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Standards-based grading is being discussed more frequently in the field of education as school districts either explore or adopt this grading method. This study examined the effects of standards-based grading on achievement and perceptions of students enrolled in high school agricultural education courses. This nonequivalent quasi-experimental study focused on how students’ perceptions of classroom feedback, abilities, and opportunities to redo assessments were affected by the implementation of a standards-based grading method. Participants in this study were students who enrolled in a quarter long Home Maintenance course that used standards-based grading methods to assess student mastery on specific content standards in …


The Home Environment And Parenting Practices: Associations With Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Preschool-Age Children, Emily C. Huber Jan 2017

The Home Environment And Parenting Practices: Associations With Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Preschool-Age Children, Emily C. Huber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Preschool-age children have the potential to be influenced by their physical home environment and their parents’ physical activity (PA) practices more than older children as preschool-age children are more reliant on parents for PA opportunities. Previous research with this focus has relied predominantly on various subjective assessments of child activity, often resulting in overestimation of PA and underestimation of sedentary time (ST). Collectively, this dissertation project explored the associations among home environment factors, parent PA practices, parent satisfaction of children’s body size and children’s PA and ST by utilizing objective measures of activity and the full range of PA intensities …