Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Three Questions From Cctm Teachers About Mathematical Modeling, Robyn Stankiewicz-Van Der Zanden, Rachel Levy

Colorado Mathematics Teacher

This article shares three questions and answers about mathematical modeling in the classroom from an April 2020 online conversation with participants of a CCTM webinar. We hope that the answers to these questions will motivate teachers to embrace the value of implementing math modeling tasks, help students see the math all around them in the world, and empower future professionals to reach for the mathematical tools in their pockets to make data-driven decisions.

Simulating Cambrian Climate: The Significance Of Atmospheric Co2 Concentration And Continental Position, Grace Cutting

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The Cambrian Period began approximately 541 million years ago, and is known for the “Cambrian Explosion”, a time when multicellular life began to rapidly diversify. There is natural historic evidence (isotopes, rock formations, and fossils) that suggests the Cambrian Period experienced a warm climate. However, there is also conflicting evidence that the Cambrian climate may have undergone freezing and thawing cycles, with ice possibly present near the equator. It is critical to understand how ecosystems were able to adapt to past climate changes, especially when analyzing the impacts of modern human activity on climate. Climate model simulations were run to …

Combining Transformation Of Graphs With Solutions To Absolute Value Inequalities, Ryan D. Fox

Colorado Mathematics Teacher

I present how transformations can be applied to support students’ solving linear inequalities involving absolute value. In particular, the horizontal dilations/compressions and translations of graphical representations of distances from zero along a number line are important tools to emphasize a visual representation of the solutions to absolute value inequalities.

Kinetic Study Of Silver Nanoparticle Formation, Steven A. Diaz

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

With the increased use of silver nanoparticles in modern day applications, kinetic information on the mechanism of their formation is useful for further studies on its reactivity in a biological environment. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified Turkevich method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy. The data obtained were plotted as a function of time, and rate constants for the nucleation (k₁) and autocatalytic surface growth (k₂) were extracted. Comparing the k₁ (~10^-3) and k₂ (~10^-1) values supports a two-step mechanism of slow nucleation and fast autocatalytic …

Computing Periods Of Nonlinear Hamiltonian Systems In The Two-Body Problem Of Celestial Mechanics, Maia Powell

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The two-body problem in celestial mechanics models the gravitational relationship between two celestial bodies and predicts their corresponding orbital paths. Isaac Newton proposed a two-body problem that accurately modeled systems whose rotating mass exhibited a perfectly elliptical orbit. Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity expanded the original two-body problem to include systems with irregular orbits. Einstein’s model, a nonlinear Hamiltonian system, produces solutions that are elliptic functions. Though we know that elliptic solutions exist, their complexity makes them inaccessible. Current research explores potential properties of such irregular systems represented by Einstein’s model in an effort to better understand and predict …

The Effects Of Cannabidiol And Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Concentration On Breast Cancer Cells, Dorothy Agyemang

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are phytocannabinoids that have a potential impact on cancer treatments. Studies have shown that certain cannabinoids cause cancer cells to die, but only with the right concentration, which has not been well documented. The purpose of this study is to determine the exact concentration of CBD and THC needed to kill MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In this experiment, the initial treatment group will be treated with CBD or THC at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 micromolar. These concentrations were arbitrarily chosen because there is not an established baseline. Cell metabolic activity will …

Analysis Of Gender Differences In Authentic Science Inquiry Practices, Arianna Garcia

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The purpose of this project is to study differences in male versus female science epistemology as reflected in their practices during authentic science inquiry. Understanding an individual’s science epistemology is important to develop better methods of teaching authentic science inquiry. Science epistemology refers to the beliefs people have about the process of performing scientific inquiry and how scientific information is generated. In particular, students may believe science is a simple process with definite conclusions previously established by professionals, or that science is a complex field with many unanswered questions which require creative and unconventional processes to expose. Scientific inquiry in …

Will Lee-Side Cyclones Become More Intense In A Warming Climate?, Samuel Scoleri

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The generation of lee-side low pressure systems, or lee-side cyclogenesis, commonly occurs in areas downwind of mountain ranges, such as eastern Colorado. Cyclones that form east of the Rockies tend to evolve into larger storm systems that travel eastward into the Great Plains region. Previous studies have found that diabatic heating, such as heat radiating away from Earth’s surface, has the ability to affect developing cyclones. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that future climate scenarios all indicate an increase in surface temperature, which could prove to impact lee-side cyclogenesis. The purpose of my research is to …

Computing Planarity In Computable Planar Graphs, Patrick Mcmillan

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

We use methods from computability theory to answer questions about infinite planar graphs. A graph is computable if there is an algorithm, which decides whether given vertices are adjacent. Having a procedure for deciding the edge set might not help compute other properties or features of the graph, however. The goal of this paper is to investigate the extent to which features related to the planarity of a graph might or might not be computable. We propose three definitions for what it might mean for a computable graph to be computably planar and for each build a computable planar graph …

Projected Temperature And Precipitation Changes In Central And East Texas Over The Next 50 Years, Katharyn Cotsakis

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

No abstract provided.

Overexpression Of The Bcl11a Transcription Factor In Basal-Like Versus Luminal Breast Cancer Cells, Alexis Cororan, Matthew Deselm

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

No abstract provided.

Face-Wise Chromatic Number, Cat Myrant

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The chromatic number is a well-studied graph invariant. This is the smallest number of colors necessary to color all the vertices such that no two vertices adjacent to the same edge are the same color. It has a myriad of applications from scheduling problems to cartography. Here we consider what happens when we color vertices with respect to faces instead of edges. That is, two vertices adjacent to the same face must not be the same color. We call this invariant the face-wise chromatic number (fwcn). We will see how to compute the fwcn for a variety of graphs and …

Defining The Spatial And Average Intensity Of The Louisville Urban Heat Island, Joshua Clark

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The urban heat island (UHI) effect, a phenomenon where the urban area will be warmer than the rural surroundings, may adversely impact human health and energy consumption via heat waves and rolling blackouts. A quantitative assessment of the UHI in Louisville, Kentucky was conducted through climatological analysis of five observation stations over a 5-year period from 2009 –2013. Results indicate the presence of a large UHI extending beyond 40 km, with an average intensity of 4.84°C between the most rural station and the urban control. By analyzing the temperature differences between all stations based on time and meteorological conditions, it …

The Safe Bet: An Exploration Of Games Of Chance, Alex Clayton Ellis, Thomas Hicks

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

The purpose of this study is to explore motivations and behaviors related to games of chance. An online snowball sample of 70 gamers completed the 25-item questionnaire consisting of questions measuring intelligence, motivation, amenities, and motivation to learn games of chance. T-test results indicated that males were more motivated by complexity and house odds of games than females. A visual inspection of the crosstab scores of the knowledge test revealed that players who prefer table games scored higher on the knowledge test than players that prefer slot machines. Also, the data suggested that slot players prefer games that require little …

A Comparison Of Postural Stability In Gymnasts, Volleyball Players, And Non-Athletes, Kayla Howerton

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Balance and postural stability are crucial elements in daily activities and the training of athletes. Volleyball requires the athlete to be capable of regaining balance after jumping and landing. Gymnastics requires the athlete to have focus on multiple aspects of balance during the execution of a skill. Current literature has examined age, comparison of certain sports to other sports, and children in athletics, all with regards to postural stability. Current literature has shown that there is a correlation between balance training and increase of performance and decrease in injuries (Oliver & Di Brezzo, 2009).

This research assessed the balance systems …

Species Diversification In Eriogonum Umbellatum Var. Aureum, Majus, And Umbellatum In The Colorado Rocky Mountains, Erica Arcibal

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

No abstract provided.