Digital Commons Network^™

Parkland Science Scholars: Improving Retention, Graduation, And Transfer Rates In Low-Income Community College Stem Students, Sheryl Drake, Chelsea Llyod, Curtis Shoaf

Parkland Science Scholars

Parkland College is a community college in Champaign, Illinois with 30% of students Pell eligible and approximately 32% of students considered underrepresented race/ethnicity (2024).

Parkland Science Scholars (PSS) is an NSF: S-STEM Track 1 (Institutional Capacity Building) program. PSS seeks to address Parkland’s low retention and graduation/transfer rates for low-income students in the Natural Sciences using five pillars: scholarship funds, tiered mentorship, summer research opportunities, community building, and a seminar course (SCI-121).

Non-Standard Site Carbon Cycle Protocols Etraining, Elizabeth Burakowski, Haley F. Wicklein, Jennifer Bourgeault

Carbon

Learn how to set up a NON-STANDARD Carbon Cycle Site to take carbon and plant growth measurements using the GLOBE Carbon Cycle Protocols. Includes an overview of the global carbon cycle and descriptions of activities to introduce carbon cycling and systems thinking.

Serving Virtually: The Impact Of Online Organizations, Sierra Hajek

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

Throughout this semester, I had the opportunity to work with Zooniverse, an online organization which helps researchers gather data and complete projects. I worked on one specific project, “Reading Emotions,” and helped complete multiple rounds of this project. By doing this, I was able to grow my leadership skills and revisit my reasoning of why I love to volunteer and serve different organizations. I analyzed my strengths and weaknesses and learned about my different leadership insights.

How Does Hope Help?, Logan M. Green

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

I volunteered at HOPE Helps, Inc. in Oviedo, Florida, within various parts of their corporation. HOPE stands for Housing, Outreach, Prevention, and Education. HOPE Helps, Inc. has many ways to help the Oviedo community members in need. HOPE Helps, Inc. has a food pantry, an affordable thrift store/boutique, with a wide variety of merchandise, a resource center, where they regularly host various courses such as budgeting workshops and tenants’ rights workshops. This organization also has a kids enrichment program and a program to help home-bound individuals receive HOPE Helps, Inc. resources, by travelling to these individuals. I completed majority of …

"Where Happiness Inspires Hope": Service-Learning With Give Kids The World, Gabrielle M. Lucci

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

This project explores my experience volunteering with a nonprofit organization that I chose to work with for my LDR3215 course. I chose to work with Give Kids the World, an organization dedicated to providing all-expenses-paid dream vacations to critically ill children and their families. In class, we were tasked with exploring a modern social issue, and I chose disability inequity. Through my service, I improved my interpersonal skills, understood disability inequity's prevalence in society today, and made a positive impact on my community. I also learned about the importance of ally-based advocacy and greater numbers of supporters for increased productivity. …

The Power Of Listening, Chandler K. Elias

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

The purpose of my project was to volunteer at in a healthcare setting which was required for the specific section of LDR 3215 that I took this semester. Key activities that I did were chatting through the online forum with people who needed someone to help them feel supported in challenging moments that they were facing. I learned how big of a difference chatting with someone even just for a few minutes can make in someone’s life. I also how important it is for our mental health to have someone who will listen to us. I am so grateful for …

Encouraging A Safe Space For Jewish Students At Ucf, Alexandra Messina

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

October 7, 2023, was a horrifying day for Israel and the larger Jewish community. Since that day, American Jewish students have faced antisemitism and isolation on campuses around the country. Having a safe space for Jewish students to feel comfortable at school is more important now than ever before. The Hillel, Chabad, and Yehudi organizations at UCF do a great job of providing this space. I partnered with the Hillel to be an active, helpful part of the community that I enjoy being a part of so much. The majority of my time was spent working with freshmen, which was …

Serving With Salt Company, Lauralee Fuher

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

This past semester, I have focused on volunteering and serving in my local campus ministry Salt Company. As a leader within the organization, I spend my time leading a weekly Bible study with a small group of girls, serving on the serving team during our large gatherings on Wednesday, and meeting one-on-one with the girls in my small group to get to know them on a personal level. LDR 3215 has greatly improved my leadership abilities and knowledge, I share the things I have learned in the course with the other leaders on my team and I show the things …

What Is The Impact Of Bilingual Reading And Inclusivity To Young Students?, Phia Tse, Miguel Torres

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

The Bilingual Reading at the Creative School for Children was initiated as the group project for our LDR 2001 class. Our project was to find an organization that aligned with our values and had an issue we would like to bridge. We chose reading in different languages to children because we remember what it is like to be different, and the lasting effect it has on a child. Reading in multiple languages increases diversity awareness and educates children in understanding multiple languages through an increase in plasticity (Abbas, 2018). We used the Social Change Model of Leadership to navigate and …

Examining The Synergy Of Curcumin And Cisplatin In Osteosarcoma Cells, Ellis Stafford

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that is especially difficult to treat due to its ability to rapidly metastasize, with an average survival rate of 70% if caught before metastasis but 30% after metastasis. The current standard of treatment, if caught before metastasis, is surgery. However, after metastasis, cisplatin is the chemotherapy of choice, which is often ineffective. This study aims to improve treatment strategies by combining a chemotherapy, cisplatin, with curcumin. The supplement used for this study is curcumin, which is a biologically active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin has shown promising effects in cancer treatment through its ability …

Camp Cardiac: A Pediatric Inpatient Camp Program Aimed To Improve And/Or Remediate Psychosocial Difficulties Through Play, Katja Ehlers

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Pediatric patients with congenital heart defects have on average longer lengths of stay and an increased number of stays when compared to pediatric patients without congenital heart defects. This qualitative capstone project was completed to improve and/or remediate psychosocial difficulties these children potentially face through play. The qualitative improvement capstone project included the development and implementation of “Camp Cardiac”, a biweekly in person and “on the go” day camp in a Children’s Hospital Heart Center. The outcomes of the project resulted in increased emotional states of patients on the unit, increased quality of life, and increased social engagement.

Creating Mental Health Resources For Veterans And Caregivers At The Charleston Fisher House, Ashley Edwards

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The Charleston Fisher House (FHC) provides free lodging, food, and transportation to the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital for veterans and families receiving care at a VA or associated hospital (Friends of Fisher House Charleston, 2024). Stays range from 1 night to several months, based on the veteran’s medical needs. Being away from home and caring for a sick loved one can cause stress and decrease the caregiver’s effectiveness in aiding the loved one and for self-care (Adelman et al., 2014). Occupational Therapy (OT) holistically addresses the person, including their mental health. A capstone project was implemented to improve mental health …

The Forgotten Occupation In Stroke Rehabilitation: Use Of Keyform Mapping To Address Sleep Disturbance & Student Research Therapist Experience, Erin Elenz

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Purpose: The purpose of this MUSC Occupational Therapy (OT) Doctoral Capstone project was to elucidate the concept of post-stroke sleep disturbance by 1) gathering quantitative data from stroke patients using a sleep disturbance questionnaire, 2) conducting qualitative interviews to understand stroke patients' subjective experiences of sleep disturbance, and 3) utilizing Rasch item response theory analysis to develop a person-item map, i.e., a “keyform”, that visualizes the interplay between a patient's sleep disturbance severity-level and specific sleep disturbance symptoms that the patient demonstrates.

Background: Sleep disturbances (SD) affect over 50% of stroke survivors, negatively impacting recovery and increasing risk of mortality …

Oer For Building Bridges To Knowledge Orientation Slides, Ann Fiddler

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Teaching History At An International School With A Culturally Diverse Student Body, Orianne Simon

International Professional Development Partnerships (IPDP) Consortium

In Siena Italy, my peers and I did research that was conducted in and outside of The International School of Siena. To expand our teaching careers and experiences. My research focused on how teachers teach history curriculum in international schools, where diversity has a significant impact since students travel from all over the world to gain an education. The role of the IB International education is significant in my research to understand how a diverse student body alters the teaching of history and how the curriculum ensures inclusivity for all students without compromising their educational experience.

Interprofessional Collaboration To Evaluate Health Disparities In The Utilization Of Therapy Services For Children With Down Syndrome, Ashlyn Mckeehan

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

No abstract provided.

Juntos Podemos (Together We Can): A Resource Platform For Special Education Teachers In Latin America, Susan Dempsey

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Introduction: The purpose of this occupational therapy doctoral project is to address the problem of limited access to resources that special education teachers in Nicaragua and other LMICs face by providing access to educational materials on unfamiliar topics. Millions of people all over the world face barriers associated with disabilities. In Nicaragua, there is a lack of child development programs and educational resources. Method: A quality improvement study consisting of quantitative and qualitative data collection determined the effectiveness of the app resource platform Juntos Podemos. Brief REDCap surveys and a focus group gathered teacher feedback about the resource platform. Results: …

The Development Of Intervention Toolkits For Non-Specialized Personnel And Families Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder In La Paz, Bolivia, Margaret Mahoney

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increase in the understanding of autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) and corresponding occupational therapy (OT) interventions; however, much of this has yet to be implemented in several resource-limited countries, including Bolivia. Parent-mediated interventions (PMIs) are being heralded as a promising approach to address this gap. Through the creation of toolkits for non-specialized personnel (e.g., parents, teachers), the purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project is to enhance the occupational engagement and quality of life for children with ASD and their families in La Paz, Bolivia. METHODS: Pre-surveys were administered to parents of children with ASD at the …

Yoga And Wellness-Based Interventions With Marginalized Populations, Marisa Moore

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

In the realm of mental health, the intersection of addiction, trauma, and various behaviors represents a complex and multifaceted landscape that requires specialized understanding and treatment approaches. Upward Inertia is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the mental, physical, and social-emotional health and wellbeing of marginalized populations through the use of therapeutic yoga and mind-body based interventions. Ongoing programming is currently offered at five Idaho prisons, both men's and women's facilities, ranging from minimum to maximum security. This capstone project explores the possibility of expansion to other marginalized populations including pediatrics. After investigation, there are stakeholders that are …

Supporting Rehabilitation In Madagascar: Training Current And Future Occupational Therapists On Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, Joshua Brown

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is an effective, evidence-based treatment for adults and children with hemiparesis. CIMT is widely used in high resource countries, however, in countries like Madagascar, the 5th poorest in the world there are no intensive therapy programs for clients with neurologic conditions. Aims: The aims were to 1) train Malagasy therapists in current models of pediatric CIMT, 2) develop a contextually relevant model of pediatric CIMT for Madagascar in collaboration with Malagasy therapists, 3) pilot the new Madagascar CIMT model with children with unilateral motor weakness. Methods: Four-weeks of synchronous and asynchronous education sessions were provided …

Career Exploration Opportunities For Dp Students, Kelsey Chubb

International Professional Development Partnerships (IPDP) Consortium

This study examined the differences in American school systems at the high school level to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) . This study looked at student exposure to extensive amount of information on career clusters, future job options, and life pathways. Although core curriculum in United States schools such as mathematics, science, and English prepare students for common core assessments and state testing, high schools need to spend more time in career exploration for students tailored to their own interests. “A national survey commissioned by The Hunt Institute found that a solid majority of parents of school age …

Social-Emotional Learning Integration In Italian Classrooms, Rachael Blair

International Professional Development Partnerships (IPDP) Consortium

This study examines how social-emotional learning (SEL) is integrated into Italian classrooms. Specifically, what types of SEL goals, activities, or practices are implemented within the curriculum. The methods used to collect data included reading and analyzing the blogs of other participants of IPDS Siena. Prior to my travels, during my time in Siena, and after returning to the United States, I wrote my own blog posts that have allowed me to reflect on the SEL techniques used in my mentor teacher’s classroom. I also collected field notes while in the school to evaluate how my mentor incorporated and prioritized social …

Forced Displacement Technique For Measuring Blunt Body Aerodynamics In A Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel, Mark Schoenenberger, David Cox, Colin Britcher, Caleb Hull

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The Old Dominion University/NASA Langley 6-Inch Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel has developed the ability to levitate blunt bodies which can oscillate freely about the yaw axis. This allows for the measurement of static and dynamic stability coefficients without sting interference. The magnetic suspension controller introduces other translational forces which affect the vehicle dynamics complicating data reduction. Exciting model oscillations in a reliable way has also been a challenge. A new test method has been developed that produces capsule oscillations from forced oscillatory translational motion at the resonant yaw oscillatory frequency of the capsule. After oscillations are excited, the translational forcing …

Standard Site Carbon Cycle Protocol Etraining, Elizabeth Burakowski, Haley F. Wicklein, Jennifer Bourgeault

Carbon

Learn how to set up a STANDARD Carbon Cycle Site to take carbon and plant growth measurements using the GLOBE Carbon Cycle Protocols. Includes an overview of the global carbon cycle and descriptions of activities to introduce carbon cycling and systems thinking. This eTraining was initially published in 2017, and was updated in 2024.

The Psychosocial Aspects Of Group Therapy, Tayler Kuhlmann

A with Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

Zaha Hadid: The Queen Of Curves, Ruth Mambo

A with Honors Projects

A study of the work of architect Zaha Hadid with maquette of the Eli and Edith Broad Art Museum in Michigan, USA. This prototype helped to visualize and understand the design of the building.

Supporting The Caregiver’S Transition Home After Sci: Resource Development For Roper Rehabilitation’S Family Training Program, John Joseph Guerriero Iv

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Occupational Therapy plays a key role in evaluating and recommending Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and Adaptive Equipment (AE). The utilization of appropriate, efficient, and safe equipment referrals is crucial for maximizing functional independence and setting patients up for success in their home environments. However, not all pieces of equipment are readily accessible through insurance coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, or knowledge of community resources creating a gap in accessible DME and AE resources for under/uninsured vulnerable populations (Martinez et al., 2021).

From January – April 2024, a quality improvement (QI) project was conducted in partnership with PHC Home Health and DME to …

Tier One Tools: Improving Educators’ Understanding Of The Multi-Tiered System Of Supports Within The School System Including A Case Example, Maclaine Hanvey

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

South Carolina public school teachers provide intervention services via 2 models: Response to Intervention (RtI) and the Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS). Research shows that there is currently a gap in teacher understanding and implementation of MTSS versus RtI within South Carolina public school districts. Teachers noted lack of training, time, and resources as the major barriers to implementation and would benefit from two sets of modules: 1) an educational training module on MTSS and 2) example intervention modules that can be implemented within their classrooms at a tier one level in K-5 classrooms within the public school system in Florence …

Oe@Kcc: Crash Course In Open Education, Shawna M. Brandle

Open Educational Resources

These slides cover a very fast introduction to open education for Kingsborough faculty and staff.  They are full of lots of links to helpful resources, so please use/adapt this however you like!

Evaluating Causes Of Sinus Tachycardia In The Pediatrics Population And Managing In A Primary Care Setting, Guillemette Calderwood

Capstone Showcase

This article’s goal is to fill a gap in research that compares causes of tachycardia in children by appropriately addressing epidemiology, what is physiologically happening with tachycardia, symptoms that may be associated with it, as well as a differential diagnosis. This review specifically discusses positional orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, as well as infection. This is important and needed in order to help providers in diagnosing the cause for this common arrhythmia.