Digital Commons Network^™

Innovation In Quantum Pedagogy, Application, And Its Relation To Culture (Iqparc), Zeynep Gonca Akdemir, Dongyang Li, Muhsin Menekse, Mahdi Hosseini, Erica W. Carlson, Nicholas Dang

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Innovation in Quantum Pedagogy, Application, and its Relation to Culture (IQ-PARC) is a team of Purdue faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students who collaborate and work for the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, outreach, and workforce initiative programs. We promote a STEM-literate workforce by providing learning opportunities for youth to understand basic principles and applications of quantum concepts through a variety of both face-to-face and online activities. This research brief describes accomplished tasks in the K-12 education space (e.g., quantum-infused middle school curriculum unit) and shares upcoming plans within the project timeline.

Teachers' Beliefs As A Tool To Extend The Cognitive Equity Concept, Ana-Maria Haiduc, Rose Mbewe, Signe E. Kastberg

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This research aims to extend the framing of the cognitive equity concept in teaching mathematics during the enacted phase of the curriculum beyond race and culture. Cognitive equity characterizes actions of teachers and curricula makers toward valuing differences in cognitive processes. Since beliefs influence teachers' actions, we investigate their ideas about valuing students' unique mathematical cognitive processes. Framing cognitive equity in teaching mathematics contributes to discovering teachers' equitable practices, thus revealing teachers' ways of making more inclusive cognitive curricular decisions. Future research could focus on framing cognitive equity in learning mathematics within the intended and implemented phase of the curriculum.

Thinking With Algebra: Two Professors' Perspectives, Natalie Mcgathey, Bir Kafle, David Feikes

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This research brief will share insights from using the curriculum, Thinking With Algebra (TWA), a National Science Foundation Project (DUE 2021414). The focus will be on the value of using this curriculum when working specifically with students who have taken Algebra I and Algebra II in high school, but were not prepared for college algebra or precalculus. This curriculum is specifically designed for STEM-track students who place below the level of college algebra when they enter college. The authors have found that TWA helps instructors honor the mathematical knowledge and ideas that students bring into the classroom. The curriculum units …

Investigating Elementary Teachers’ Use Of Mathematics Curriculum Materials, Jueqing Li, Doris Fulwider, Jill Newton

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Investigating Elementary Teachers’ Use of Mathematics Curriculum Materials is a collaborative research project across four universities. The primary goal of the project is to explore teachers’ use of mathematics curricular materials in the context of the proliferation of online resources and the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on curricular coherence, teacher autonomy, and the use of teacher-developed curriculum from sites such as Teachers-Pay-Teachers and Pinterest. We used individual and focus group teacher interviews at several schools representing diverse curricular contexts to explore both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the teachers’ mathematics curricular decision making. Findings from this study highlight …

Developing Sustainability Related Attitudes And 21st Century Skills Through Informal Learning Opportunities, Shamila Janakiraman

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Informal learning environments, like libraries and museums, are known to improve student achievement and motivation (Bartels 2001). A meta-analysis reports on the strong positive effects of after-school programs on feelings and attitudes and school performance (Durlak et al, 2007). When working on after-school programs, middle and high school students may develop skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, information literacy, and digital literacy. Such a program was offered by a 501c(3) organization as an informal learning opportunity. As part of this program, high school student volunteers living in the United States (US) designed and delivered learning experiences for elementary and …

Why Representation Matters: Using Stem Education To Promote Opportunity, Sheramie Velazquez

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Research has highlighted how Black and Brown professionals continue to be underrepresented in the various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The lack of exposure to diverse STEM professionals, a challenging and relevant STEM curriculum, and belief in the brilliance of Black and Brown scholars’ abilities to succeed in STEM are vast contributors to the continual diversity underrepresentation in STEM-based classes and careers. Girls STEM Institute (GSI) was founded to create a space where girls of color-who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM-can become exposed to challenging and relevant STEM curricula, which is taught by diverse educators who share similar …

Proceedings Of The Eighth Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: “Advancing Stem With Students”, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.

Mathematics Rti/Mtss Implementation: A Literature Review From The Perspective Of Implementation Science, Jingyuan Zhang, Yan Ping Xin

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This article reviews published research on implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) educational framework in mathematics at schools. We utilized the Implementation Driver framework from Implementation Science (Eccles & Mittman, 2006) to analyze current RTI/MTSS implementation practices. Eleven studies qualified to be included in this research. Findings showed more research is needed to expand the investigations in implementation fidelity, systems intervention, facilitative administration, decision-support data systems, coaching, and selection driver.

Centering F.A.M.I.L.Y. In Black Girls Stem Learning, Crystal Morton, Lawren Nelson, Idaila Wilmoth

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The Fostering and Maximizing Interdisciplinary Learning Year-round (F.a.M.I.L.Y) was a one-year pilot study that provided Black girls and their caregivers with an opportunity to complete collaborative, life-enriching, multidisciplinary, and socially transformative STEM experiences to explore how these learning experiences impact Black girls and their caregivers' enjoyment of STEM, interest in STEM content and careers, and understanding of STEM as a tool for personal and social change. Seven families for a total of 11 scholars and seven caregivers participated in the study. We hosted 10 online learning sessions and one end-of-year face-to-face session. …

The Story Within Lessons: Highlighting Moments Of Student Inquiry, Amanda Huffman Hayes

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The curricular decisions of K-12 mathematics teachers affect student learning. One way to make sense of this is to find the story within the lesson. Writing the story of a lesson by identifying the plot, characters, settings, and actions reveals the questions that drive student mathematical curiosity and inquiry (Dietiker, 2015). Drawing attention to these moments provides a new perspective for teachers as they plan, teach, and reflect on their lessons and work to improve their instruction for their students as they see the possible advantages and disadvantages of the ordering of mathematical tasks. This work extends Dietiker’s thinking through …

Enhancing Data Science Education Throughout Indiana, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Evan M. Roberts

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Data science is the process of analyzing authentic real-world data sets to extract meaning, glean context, and seek insight into how to improve society. Data science promises new insights, helping transform information into knowledge that can drive science and industry (Berman et al., 2018). In recent years, employer demand for employees with the visualization, mathematical, and computational programming skill sets for this expanding niche has led to the introduction of new programs and coursework at both the K-12 and collegiate level. This research brief examines one such partnership in Indiana funded by the Lilly Endowment partnering Purdue University Fort Wayne …

Girls Excelling In Math And Science (Gems): Stories Of The Original Gems Girls, Meredith Chasse, Grace Gochnauer, Bima Sapkota, Jill Newton, Laura Jones

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) is an afterschool club started in 1994 by a parent, Laura Reasoner Jones, who was dismayed to hear her 10-year old daughter Julie opt herself out of attending a magnet school because “Math is hard.” Julie’s math performance had been good in school, therefore Laura wondered what else might be causing her self doubt. Laura decided to address the issue. Collaborating with Julie’s teacher, she started the first GEMS club for Julie and her friends in fifth and sixth grade. During the following 25 years, GEMS clubs have operated globally to provide resources …

Goals And Proceedings Information, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan Ph. D., S. Selcen Guzey, Elizabeth Suazo-Flores

Indiana STEM Education Conference

No abstract provided.

Critical Mindset As A 21st Century Skill: Challenging Heteronormative Assumptions Through Teaching High School Biology, Khanh Tran, Olivia Magnuson, Eric Johnson, S. Selcen Guzey

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This study focuses on the lived experience of an experienced biology teacher and their desire/ability to develop a gender-inclusive curriculum. Grounding on a narrative inquiry methodology, the narratives of our genderqueer high school biology teacher illustrate their beliefs about biology teaching and advancing students’ knowledge in ways that empower the students. The study highlights a need to teach biology in a way that develops students' critical mindset as part of a 21st-century skill by emphasizing and weaving sociopolitical issues into their curriculum.

Jews And Science, Sander L. Gilman

The Jewish Role in American Life: An Annual Review

Jews and Science examines the complicated relationship between Jewish identities and the evolving meanings of science throughout the history of Western academic culture. Jews have been not only the agents for study of things Jewish, but also the subject of examination by “scientists” across a range of disciplines, from biology and bioethics to anthropology and genetics. Even the most recent iteration of Jewish studies as an academic discipline—Israel studies—stresses the global cultural, economic, and social impact of Israeli science and medicine.

The 2022 volume of the Casden Institute’s Jewish Role in American Life series tackles a range of issues that …

A Model For Equity-Oriented Prek-12 Engineering, Christine M. Cunningham, Gregory J. Kelly

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

In this paper, we address the societally important issue of developing a more equitable approach to preK-12 engineering education. Our primary emphasis is on K-8 grades—a time when first impressions of engineering may be developed. Calls for increased participation by all students, including those who have been historically marginalized, motivate the need for theoretically grounded ways of developing and assessing educational programs. This paper draws from sociocultural learning theory and applies four theoretical and empirical analyses to derive design principles for equity that can inform curriculum, instruction, and assessment of preK-12 engineering education programs. We present a model for equity-oriented …

On The Use Of Machine Learning For Causal Inference In Extreme Weather Events, Yuzhe Wang

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Machine learning has become a helpful tool for analyzing data, and causal Inference is a powerful method in machine learning that can be used to determine the causal relationship in data. In atmospheric and climate science, this technology can also be applied to predicting extreme weather events. One of the causal inference models is Granger causality, which is used in this project. Granger causality is a statistical test for identifying whether one time series is helpful in forecasting the other time series. In granger causality, if a variable X granger-causes Y: it means that by using all information without …

Gait Phase Estimation Of Unsupervised Outdoors Walking Using Imus And A Linear Regression Model, Ahmed Soliman, Guilherme A. Ribeiro, Andres Torres, Li-Fan Wu, Mo Rastgaar

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Human gait analysis and detection are critical for many applications, including wearable and rehabilitation robotic devices, reducing or tracking injury risk. The proposed work allows researchers to study the gait phase of human subjects in an unsupervised outdoor environment without the need for fixed thresholds and sensor-embedded insoles. We present an experimental protocol to label gait events based on patterns in human subjects from two body-worn inertial measurement units (IMUs). Gait patterns are developed using a force plate and a motion capture system. Upon defining the gait pattern, human subjects walk outdoors for forty minutes to train and test a …

Children’S Engineering Identity Development Within An At-Home Engineering Program During Covid-19, Amber Simpson, Peter N. Knox

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

The culture of engineering and the culture of formal learning environments often make it difficult for individuals to develop an engineering identity. Conversely, recent research points to the home environment as an alternative setting to support disciplinespecific identity development of children, while less is known regarding the identity development of children as engineers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the development of children’s engineering identity through the co-creation of engineering concepts and engagement with engineering design thinking and processes with family members in home environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted interviews with nine families—nine parents and …

A Finite Difference Approach To Study The Impact Of Boundary Conditions On The Acoustical Behavior Of Particle Stacks, Zhuang Mo, Guochenhao Song, Tongyang Shi, J Stuart Bolton

Publications of the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories

The responses of particle stacks to incident sound waves show interesting features that are very different from those of a homogeneous continuum. Further studies of the acoustical performance of particle stacks can help both to discover potential noise control applications of these types of materials, and to help provide better insight into the internal status of the particle stacks. In the current study, a finite difference (FD) model for a particle stack was built based on the Biot poro-elastic theory. The intention in developing this model is to describe the acoustical behavior of particle stacks with consideration of not only …

Classifying Cadmium Contaminated Leafy Vegetables Using Hyperspectral Imaging And Machine Learning, Augusto Souza, Maria Zea Rojas, Yang Yang, Linda Lee, Lori Hoagland

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic element that can accumulate in edible plant tissues and negatively impact human health. Traditional Cd quantification methods are time-consuming, expensive, and generate a lot of toxic waste, slowing development of methods to reduce uptake. The objective of this study was to determine whether hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and machine learning (ML) can be used to predict Cd concentrations in plants using kale (Brassica oleracea) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) as model crops. The experiments were conducted in an automated phenotyping facility where all environmental conditions except soil Cd concentration were kept constant. …

Student Engagement In An Online Engineering Afterschool Program During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Virginia Snodgrass Rangel, Jerrod A. Henderson, Chelsea Martinez, Rick Greer

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

The COVID-19 pandemic forced much of schooling online and limited students’ access to informal learning opportunities such as afterschool programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate how fourth- and fifth-grade students engaged in an online engineering program and what factors influenced their engagement. We drew on a four-dimensional model of student engagement to describe how students engaged in the afterschool engineering program and to identify the factors that enhanced or inhibited engagement. Using a case study design, we drew on interviews with six program mentors and ten students and observation data from weekly Zoom sessions throughout the 2020–2021 …

The Price Of Longevity - Empirical Evidence From Road Pavements, Hanna Kemaw

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Graduate Student Reports

The vast network of county, city and town roads, represent a big part of public assets in most states and often account for a significant share of the public spending on roads. This spending on local road infrastructure help to build, operate, and preserve such infrastructure and therefore provide critical accessibility and mobility to the residents of counties, towns and cities. With the ever-growing volumes of personal and commercial traffic at local roads, the task of maintaining satisfactory levels of service at local roads has become more challenging, and this issue is exacerbated by limited resources, asset aging, and increasing …

Lane Management In The Era Of Cav Deployment, Sania E. Seilabi, Mohammadhosein Pourgholamali, Jiaming Wang, Mohammad Miralinaghi, Shreyas Sundaram, Samuel Labi

Center for Connected and Automated Transportation

No abstract provided.

Adapting Land Use And Infrastructure For Automated Driving, Chaojie Wang, Einat Tenenboim, Srinivas Peeta

Center for Connected and Automated Transportation

No abstract provided.

Enhanced Functionality And Bio-Accessibility Of Composite Pomegranate Peel Extract-Enriched "Boba Balls", Ayse Neslihan Dundar, Kubra Uzuner, Mahmud Ekrem Parlak, Oya Irmak Sahin, Furkan Turker Saricaoglu, Senay Simsek

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

“Boba balls” or pearls have recently gained popularity for beverages or food toppings. “Boba balls” could be developed into functional foods by the encapsulation of bioactive compounds. In this study, gelatin/sodium alginate composite “Boba balls” enriched with pomegranate peel extract (PPE) at different concentrations (0, 1, 2, and 3%) were prepared. They were characterized in terms of physical, rheological, textural, morphological, and sensory properties, as well as in vitro digestion, bio-accessibility, and release kinetic of PPE. Adding PPE improved the “Boba” mix’s viscoelasticity and decreased the “Boba balls”’ hardness. The increasing PPE ratio significantly (p < 0.05) increased the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. The addition of PPE preserved the spherical shape of the “Boba balls”, and as the PPE ratio increased, new junction zones were observed in SEM images. The in vitro digestibility of PPE was significantly (p < 0.05) improved by preserving PPE from the mouth and gastric medium, and “Boba balls” showed the highest release and bio-accessibility in the intestinal medium. Consequently, PPE as a by-product could be successfully used at 2% concentration for enhancing the functionality and bio-accessibility of “Boba balls” without affecting sensory properties.

Print3d, A Service-Learning Project For Improving Visually Impaired Accessibility Through Educational 3d Printing, Oscar R. Lozano

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

Well-executed service-learning projects are a high-value educational element. However, these projects commonly focus on overused topics and unbalanced executions which can produce the opposite effect to that desired when working with groups of people with functional diversity. PRINT3D is a service-learning project aimed at improving accessibility for people with visual disabilities while helping primary and secondary school students learn basic engineering skills through 3D design and printing. Under the support of the European Erasmus+ Programme, this project brought together nongovernmental organizations, teacher professional development centers, business enterprises, and educational centers to collaborate for two school years. The project activities aimed …

Polarimetric Radar And Vhf Lightning Observations In A Significantly Tornadic Supercell, Jacob Bruss

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Connections Between Students’ Social Justice And Mathematics Understandings, Lily Green

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Redefining Research In Nanotechnology Simulations: A New Approach To Data Caching And Analysis, Darin Tsai, Alan Zhang, Aloysius Rebeiro

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.