Digital Commons Network^™

David Berkowitz, Enzyme-Assisted Organic Synthesis & Nsf Officer, Mark A. Griep, David B. Berkowitz

Department of Chemistry: Faculty Interviews

Dr. Dave Berkowitz was born in Urbana, Illinois. He earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Chicago, where he did undergraduate research. Next, he earned his doctorate from Harvard University. However, his advisor, Steve Benner, moved from Harvard to ETH Zurich, also called the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Dave accompanied him to Zurich, where he completed his dissertation work. When Dave returned to the U.S., he did a postdoc with the legendary Samuel Danishefsky at Yale University. In 1991, he joined UNL as an assistant professor of chemistry and quickly rose through the ranks. Dave is …

Atp Architect - Development Of A Metabolism Boardgame, Selene J. Welch, Micah Burk, Brooklyn Gilchrist, Emma Haase, Timothy T. Jones

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Traditional metabolism instruction often leaves students struggling with pathway interconnectedness and metabolite flux. To foster systems thinking, we are developing an educational board game where students manipulate tokens to navigate physiological constraints and achieve target energy goals. Grounded in Design-Based Research (DBR), the game undergoes iterative refinement based on player feedback. The design utilizes constructivism by allowing students to "fail safely" and revise strategies in real-time, while leveraging embodied cognition to externalize abstract flux into the physical trading of resource tokens.

Humanizing Engineering For Preservice Elementary Teachers Through Sustainable Engineering Stories, Jeffrey D. Radloff, Madison M. Morris, Jacob Pleasants

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Meeting the goals of US K–12 science education reform requires that preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) understand engineering as a specialized discipline and a human endeavor that addresses real-world issues. Yet in their formal education, few PSTs receive opportunities to learn about the humanistic dimensions of engineering: engineers’ personal values and motivations, the sociocultural nature of engineering work, and the societal significance of engineering. Storytelling about engineering offers a practical way to give PSTs access to these ideas. This study examines the impacts of integrating storytelling about engineering in a science methods course for future elementary school teachers. Over a two-year …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Adaptive Learning Strategies Among Deaf Students In Inclusive Higher Education: A Thematic Analysis, Mayasari Manar, Murni Winarsih

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of learning adaptation strategies implemented by students with hearing impairments in the context of inclusive higher education. The study employs a qualitative approach using an open-ended survey design involving 15 students with hearing impairments who are currently enrolled in or have previously attended higher education institutions. Data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach to identify thematic patterns related to perceptions of the effectiveness of the adaptation strategies employed. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents perceived the adaptation strategies they used as “fairly effective,” although not yet fully optimal. The …

Development Of Lkpd Based On Vba Powerpoint Assisted Discovery Learning Model To Improve Creative Thinking Ability And Learning Independence Of Grade Iv Elementary School Students, Neng Ira Sonia, Asep Ikin Sugandi, Masta Hutajulu

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Pembelajaran di sekolah dasar masih menghadapi banyak masalah berupa rendahnya kemampuan berpikir kreatif dan kemandirian belajar siswa karena penggunaan LKPD yang belum sepenuhnya mendorong keterlibatan aktif siswa. Oleh karena itu, perlu dikembangkan bahan ajar yang inovatif dan kontekstual. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan Lembar Kerja Siswa (LKPD) menggunakan model pembelajaran Discovery Learning dengan bantuan PowerPoint VBA dan menguji kelayakan serta efektivitasnya dalam meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kreatif dan kemandirian belajar siswa kelas IV sekolah dasar. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah Penelitian dan Pengembangan dengan tahapan analisis, pengumpulan data, desain produk, validasi, uji coba terbatas, uji coba ekstensif, dan pengujian produk. Subjek …

Hispanic Students As Environmental Scientists: Culturally Sustaining Stem Pathways Through Raíces Y Ciencia, Uma Ganesan

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

This study examines how culturally and linguistically sustaining environmental STEM education (CLSE-STEM) fostered student agency and environmental consciousness among Hispanic/Latinx students in Rio Grande Valley border schools. Through qualitative analysis of the Raíces y Ciencia project's water quality investigations, the research explored how teachers integrated students' cultural and linguistic resources with environmental science learning. Data from conference panel presentations, educator surveys, and classroom artifacts revealed three key themes: linguistic border-crossing as scientific understanding pathways, connecting family knowledge to environmental justice advocacy, and positioning students as community researchers. Findings demonstrate that centering Hispanic students' cultural assets while addressing local water quality …

Energy Scaling And Frequency Ratios Of Particles And Constants, Alison Christina Menzmer, Donald Chakeres, Vola Andrianarijaona

Campus Research Month

We are exploring quantum aspects of various physical quantities (including Bohr radius, Rydberg constant, Planck time, and Hubble constant) and mass energies of elementary particles (including electron, neutron, and quarks). We express all physical units in an energy equivalence in Hertz, normalized to 1 Hz. Furthermore, the logarithms of these normalized energies are scaled by the logarithm of a chosen particle, which allows the generation of an Arrhenius plot exhibiting numerical structures. Our results presented in this poster show that the proton is a good candidate for an Arrhenius plot with partial fractions (1 + 1/n) and (1 - 1/n).

Development And Effectiveness Of Spatial Learning Module To Enhance The Students’ Spatial Reasoning, Mathematics Problem-Solving, And Higher-Order Thinking Skills, Rizky Oktaviana Eko Putri

Student Works (2020-2029)

The primary aim of this study is to develop a mathematics learning module that utilizes spatial reasoning as an intervention for learning, which is called the Spatial Learning- Integrated Mathematics (SLIM) learning module. The SLIM learning module is expected not only to enhance the quality of mathematics education but also to support students’ spatial reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). This objective is based on the understanding that teachers, as learning designers, must ensure students achieve their educational goals. Teachers should offer various forms of innovative teaching, including learning modules, enabling students not only to reach their learning …

Development Of Problem-Based Teaching Modules On Linear Systems Of Equations And Inequalities To Improve Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills, Elsya Suharnita, Kartini Kartini, Sehatta Saragih

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study addresses the low mathematical problem-solving competency among Indonesian students, as evidenced by the PISA 2018 results that showed 71% failed to meet the minimum mathematical competency level. This study aims to develop a problem-based learning (PBL) module for systems of equations and inequalities content to improve Phase E students' mathematical problem-solving abilities. Using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) model, this study involved expert validation, a small group trial with 12 students, and field implementation using a posttest-only control group design with 24 students in the experimental group and 25 students in the control group. The results …

Bibliometric Mapping Of Problem-Based Learning In Primary Science Education, Lintang Auliya Kurdiati

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

The field of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in primary science education has expanded rapidly over the past decade, yet it remains fragmented and lacks full structural and intellectual coherence. Scholarly collaboration patterns, thematic evolution, and the interconnections among research topics are still insufficiently understood. This study employs a Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA) approach, integrating a PRISMA-guided systematic literature review with bibliometric network analysis, to examine 146 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 and indexed in Scopus. VOSviewer and Biblioshiny were used to map co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, citation linkages, and thematic clusters. The findings reveal increasing structural centralization …

Cognitive Conflict In Iconic Visual Representations: Comparing Conventional And Ai Approaches, Endrayana Putut Laksminto Emanuel, Herfa Maulina Dewi Soewardini, Radhitya Duta Pradana, Sikky El Walida

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Background of study: The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education has transformed mathematical problem-solving practices, yet it introduces potential discrepancies in students’ visual understanding, particularly in geometric contexts, leading to commognitive conflicts in visual mediators. Aims and scope of paper: This study aims to analyze and compare the sources of commognitive conflict in iconic visual representations when students solve flat shape problems using conventional methods versus AI-assisted approaches. Methods: A qualitative design was employed involving 20 first-year mathematics education students divided into two groups (AI-assisted and conventional). Data were collected through students’ written work and semi-structured interviews …

Biosensors For Biomedicine, Drake O'Leary

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

This project investigated the use of engineered bacterial reporter systems to detect cellular stress responses associated with antibiotic activity. While constructs were successfully introduced and tested against known antibiotics, the reporter consistently produced a blue signal across conditions, limiting the ability to distinguish specific stress responses. This suggests issues such as leaky expression, insufficient regulatory control, or lack of specificity in the reporter design. Although results were inconclusive, this work highlights key challenges in developing reliable biosensors and provides a foundation for future optimization. Improving signal specificity and reducing background expression will be critical for enabling accurate characterization of antibiotic …

Asphalt Pavement Rejuvenation Investigated By Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry, Catherine Skaggs

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Asphalt is a relatively inexpensive material commonly used for road pavements; however, asphalt ages from exposure to oxygen and UV radiation, leading to loss of elasticity, which leads to cracks and potholes. To slow or reverse asphalt aging, pavement preservation treatments are in use. It’s unclear whether these treatments truly rejuvenate the pavement structure or merely offer a short-term benefit. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry is an analytical technique that uses the recovery of excited nuclear magnetization as a parameter to gain insights into molecular environments. Recovery-time distributions gathered from asphalt materials show differences between regular and rejuvenated asphalt samples, …

A Design-Based Mixed-Method Study On Mathematical Fluency Interventions Implemented In A Midwestern School District, Shari Fox

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to implement math fluency interventions with intention and fidelity to increase student math achievement. Recent studies have reported a decline in students' mathematics achievement scores, calling for an urgent redesign of instructional practices. Aligning with strategic organizational change, the scholar-practitioner designed math fluency activities to be implemented during math instructional time, embedding the strategies within the current curriculum, which lacked sufficient resources. The researcher then collected data from student reflections, end-of-unit assessments, and the beginning-of-year math diagnostic to design a specific implementation of math fluency activities that would help students increase their mathematical …

Evaluating A Research Experience For Teachers: Benefits And Challenges For Summer Stem Professional Development, Mark T. Felts, Darcy Tessman, Emily Simpson, Mark Nanny

The Rural Educator

This focus group study examined the participant motivation for and potential impact of the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program on rural STEM educators. Due to geographic isolation and low wages in rural areas, STEM teachers often engage in summer work, which provides practical, real-world applications of STEM principles and enhances instructional methods during the school year. By fostering university partnerships and providing summer research opportunities, RET aligns with the National Rural Research Agenda’s (NREA) priorities of enhancing community relationships and bolstering teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention. Findings indicate that participation in RET boosts teachers’ curricular skills, professional networks, and …

Modeling Of Aggregate Losses Of Metastatic Cancer Using Katz Family (A, B, 0) Distributions, Cynthia M. Mwau, Howard Omukami

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

The incidence of metastatic cancer over the years has gradually increased. This can be due to delayed quality treatment, attributed to insufficient funds. Models that can more accurately price cancer insurance policies incorporating its metastatic nature would enable insurance firms to develop affordable and profitable cancer insurance policies. Effectively marketed and reasonably priced insurance policies can enhance the uptake of cancer specific insurance, thereby alleviating the financial strain linked to cancer treatment. To capture the impact of metastatic cancer on overall cancerrelated losses, we construct Katz recursive models grounded in the Katz family of distributions, specifically the (a, b, 0) …

Deferred Action Theory As A Framework For Adaptive Educational Procurement: Navigating Uncertainty And Digital Transformation In Education Systems, Herdiana Herdiana, B. Yuliarto Nugroho, Andreo Wahyudi Atmoko

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Public procurement constitutes a significant portion of national expenditure and directly affects economic growth, service delivery, and governance quality. In Indonesia, education sector procurement absorbs more than half of the allocated budget but remains vulnerable to inefficiencies, rigid procedures, and corruption risks. This study aims to conceptualize an adaptive framework for Public Procurement Business Process Management (PP-BPM) that addresses environmental uncertainty, digital transformation, and governance challenges. This conceptual study integrates Deferred Action Theory (DAT), Emergent Business Processes (EBP), and Business Process Management (BPM) to develop a multi-level framework for procurement. The analysis covers strategic, managerial, and operational dimensions, emphasizing deferment …

Beyond The Pipeline: First-Generation College Students’ Community Cultural Wealth And Stem Degree Pathways, Douglas Havard, Zahra Gholami, Jue Wu, Danette Y. Martinez, A. J. Balatico, Lara Perez-Felkner

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines how first-generation college students (FGCS) and continuing-generation college students navigate STEM pathways by modeling four sequential milestones in the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09): high school graduation, college enrollment, STEM major selection, and STEM degree completion. Guided by Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth framework, we use survey-weighted sequential logistic regression to estimate stage-specific associations between academic preparation, psychosocial resources, and institutional context, conditional on prior attainment. Results reveal distinct generational patterns of STEM progression. For FGCS, rigorous high school mathematics preparation exerts a powerful influence on high school completion, while later-developing math self-efficacy and science identity …

Nevada Science Olympiad, Christian Ison

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

Since 2022, the UNLV School of Integrated Health Sciences has partnered with the Clark County School District to engage and inspire Nevada students through innovative STEM education initiatives. This ongoing collaboration supports the development and hosting of competitive STEM tournaments at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, providing students with opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while fostering critical thinking, academic achievement, and future workforce development.

Tech Trekker, Erika Marti, Yania Avila

Community Engagement Expo Research Posters

We are a team of faculty and students in STEM fields who are dedicated to providing cutting-edge technology to teachers and students in Las Vegas and nearby communities.

Our Mission: Our primary mission is to increase student exposure to and engagement in modern science and engineering tools in order to encourage students into high-demand STEM fields.

What Is Alive? Students’ Conceptions Of The Traits That Unite Living Organisms, Jeremy L. Hsu, Meredith A. Dorner, Kate Hill

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Biology is the study of life, but students often hold misconceptions about what it means to be alive, with children often associating life with movement. These misconceptions can lead to biases in what students think is alive, with younger children often not thinking of plants as living given their lack of discernable movement. Despite this past work, there have been no prior studies that we are aware of that have examined how students in introductory biology conceptualize what it means to be alive. Here, we draw upon a fortuitous dataset collected from an in-class activity done on the first day …

“Always Having To Dampen And Dilute My Essence In Order To Fit”: Intersectional Experiences Of Queer Scholars Of Color In Stem And Stem Education, Nuria Jaumot-Pascual, Lisette Torres-Gerald, Maria Ong

The Qualitative Report

This article examines the intersectional experiences of queer scholars of color in STEM and STEM education. Using arts-informed research methods, we conducted and analyzed five interviews and a focus group transcript that focused on the support and hurdles that five participants encountered and the strategies they utilized to navigate their work in STEM and STEM education. We identified that, against the backdrop of prevailing heteronormativity and normative whiteness in STEM, participants compartmentalized their STEM and social identities, felt compelled to negotiate the risks of coming out, and assumed the double burden and invisible work of students who were queer and/or …

Copyright Information

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their university departmental website, or on their own personal websites.

Evaluation Of 5g-Enabled Resource Allocation For Smart Led Streetlight Infrastructure, Ahmed Hassebo, Yasser Hassebo

Publications and Research

The proliferation of 5G networks facilitates high-speed, low-latency communication essential for the advancement of smart city infrastructure. This research investigates the performance of 5G enabled connectivity for smart LED streetlight systems, focusing on resource allocation strategies between mission-critical and latency-tolerant services. Utilizing MATLAB simulations, the study evaluates network slicing and scheduling algorithms through key performance indicators (KPIs) including throughput, end-to-end delay, and Packet Error Rate (PER). The proposed framework integrates dynamic scheduling mechanisms—analogous to LTE uplink protocols—to optimize energy efficiency and data responsiveness across large-scale urban lighting deployments. Empirical results indicate that 5G Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) effectively supports real-time …

From The Editors..., Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Call For Manuscripts, Thomastine Sarchet-Maher

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities is a peer-reviewed, open access, multi-disciplinary online journal with an international focus. We publish articles that reflect the best of research and practice related to inclusive science education, including works submitted by science and special education researchers, teacher educators, and teachers. Interesting topics have included innovative curricular ideas, instructional adaptations, research-based modifications, best practices, and management strategies in science education. JSESD adopts the philosophical perspective that all students can achieve in science, and that science benefits from the full participation of all students.

Curriculum For A Two Semester Calculus Course Specializing In Life Science And Data Science, Patrick Mcclain

LSU Master's Theses

Traditionally, introductory calculus has been designed for engineering and physics students, often leaving students majoring in data science or life sciences with a curriculum that lacks professional relevance and is overly reliant on problems that focus on computational fluency. This thesis proposes a two-semester sequence, called MATH 153X and MATH 154X, specifically tailored for the Louisiana State University (LSU) Dual Enrollment program and university-level data science and life sciences majors. By integrating modern computational tools—such as symbolic calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) tools—the proposed curriculum shifts the pedagogical focus from procedural symbolic manipulation toward conceptual literacy.

Through a series …

Exploring Geometry Teaching And Learning Through Self-Study, Linnea Kallebo Ms., Ayse Ozturk

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Self-study is a powerful tool for improving teacher effectiveness, particularly in mathematics instruction where misconceptions can significantly impact student learning. This self-study examines my evolving understanding of geometry concepts and common student misconceptions encountered during a teaching geometry course. Through reflection, peer discussion, and analysis of misconceptions, this study reveals how examining both my own learning and students’ thinking can inform self-adjustment of teaching strategies. Findings highlight the importance of building new geometry concepts on mastered ideas and pairing self-study with evaluation of student responses to improve instructional decision-making.

Self-Study In Learning And Teaching The Pythagorean Theorem, Julia Podolskiy, Ayse Ozturk

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Old Dominion University undergrad student Julia Podolskiy performed self-study research on learning and teaching the Pythagorean Theorem. The poster provides purpose, methods, results, and future directions on how Julia Podolskiy's knowledge on the Pythagorean Theorem has improved over the course of a semester and how she plans to implement the theorem to her teaching.

Mathematics Anxiety: Understanding Its Concept, Impact On Secondary Students’ Academic Performance And Career Prospects, And Effective Intervention Strategies, Sabiruddin Molla, Safwana Rashid, Saba Sultana

Numeracy

This study investigates the influence of mathematics anxiety on secondary school students’ academic performance and career pathway selection. Mathematics, often perceived as abstract and challenging, can evoke high levels of anxiety that affect both learning outcomes and career-related decisions. Data were collected from 106 students across two urban secondary schools in Kolkata. Findings revealed that students possessed a significant understanding of the concept of mathematics anxiety (t (105) = 8.48, p < .001, d = 0.82). A strong positive correlation was observed between mathematics anxiety and academic performance (r = .686, p < .001), indicating that elevated anxiety levels correspond with lower achievement. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (r = .475, p < .001) showed that mathematics anxiety influences students’ career pathway selection, with higher anxiety leading to avoidance of mathematics-related careers. The study highlights that negative attitudes toward mathematics often stem from perception rather than actual difficulty. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for innovative teaching strategies and targeted interventions to reduce mathematics anxiety and enhance students’ academic and career outcomes.