Digital Commons Network^™

Supporting Middle-Elementary-Age, Second-Language English Speakers: The Effects Of Student-Centered Learning And Scaffolding, Madison Baroch

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

English language learners (ELLs) are the fastest-growing demographic in K-12 classrooms across the United States (National Education Association, 2020). Often, due to a lack of specialized ESL (English as a second language) programs, ELL students are directly placed into a mainstream classroom with no additional support. This tasks teachers with attending to ELLs’ unique needs while also instructing the entire class. Scaffolding is a teaching method that utilizes a student-centered learning (SCL) approach, and it has been increasingly incorporated by educators to enhance student engagement and performance. While positive effects of scaffolding have been reported, its effectiveness when utilized with …

Caregivers Of Gbm Patients Express High Financial Burden, Madison Rose Cutaia

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract:

Glioblastoma is described as one of the most pugnacious forms of brain cancer that is an uncurable diagnosis and entails a journey of adversity for the female caregivers. Female caregivers encounter high amounts of medical bills, job-loss for those diagnosed that leave families in a financial crisis with no safety net. 102 letters were written by female caregivers that express the challenges they experienced and were analyzed for data collection. These letter writers gave consent to viewing the information for data collection. Specific words and phrases were chosen throughout the letters that created a narrow focus of the study …

Introducing Human-Like Mutations In Yeast Iso-1-Cytochrome C To Decrease Peroxidase Activity In Apoptosis, Sidney Thompson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The mitochondria is an important organelle for a large assortment of metabolic processes. Cytochrome c (Cytc), a vital protein found in the mitochondria, is critical for life and death processes in eukaryotic cells. One of these functions includes shuttling electrons through the electron transport chain during cellular respiration. Cytc is also an essential signaling protein in the pathway of apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death. Yeast has similar components of this cell death pathway to higher eukaryotes such as humans, but does not contain all of the same optimized cascade processes. Additionally, peroxidase activity, an early …

An Investigation Into The Natural Mineral Lick At Lick Creek, Toby Dunn

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The natural mineral lick at Lick Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest was studied to determine the types and concentrations of minerals found in the licks and what the potential source for the minerals may be. Soil samples were taken from seven different “lick pits” that were formed by elk and deer, as well as three different dig sites. Samples were also collected from the two proposed sources of the minerals, Mazama and Challis volcanic ash. An experiment was performed on the soil and ash samples to determine the amount of dissolved electrolytes in the solution and how that amount …

Determining The Scale Of The Heliosphere Using Ibex And Solar Wind Data, Joseph D. Kelly

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The heliosphere is a vast region of space which surrounds the solar system and is created by the magnetic field of the Sun. The region inside the termination shock is a cavity in the magnetic field of the interstellar medium present outside the solar system, and has a “nose” and “tail” caused by the flow direction of the interstellar medium with respect to the Sun. Solar wind is the continuous flow of charged particles, produced by the Sun, which emanate outwards along the Sun’s magnetic field lines. When the solar wind reaches the termination shock, solar wind ions that neutralize …

Assessing The Prevalence Of Food Insecurity In College Student Veterans, Gabrielle A. Norconk

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Food insecurity is the lack of a household’s physical and economic access to adequate amounts of nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate foods. Food insecurity is considered a major public and health and nutrition problem in the United States. In 2019 the United States had a household food insecurity rate of 10.5% which represents a total of 35.2 million people. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to increase the number of food-insecure individuals in the U.S. to 54.3 million (2020/21 projections). The connection between military service and increased vulnerability to food insecurity is currently inconclusive. Not only is there limited research on …

Aerobic Fitness Predicts Tibial Bone Loads During Field Exercises With Moderate Load Carriage, Marin Plemmons

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Aerobic fitness predicts tibial bone loads during field exercises with moderate load carriage

Load carriage is expected of tactical athletes (soldiers and firefighters) and is thought to increase the risk of tibial bone stress fractures during basic combat training. Well-known predictors of tibial bone stress fractures are aerobic fitness and lower limb strength deficits. Traditionally, measurements of lower limb loading patterns that relate to tibial stress fracture are conducted in a laboratory setting; however, laboratory settings do not represent the loading demands tactical athletes experience in the field. Wearable devices may be useful in assessing lower limb loads, such as …

Predicting Knee And Achilles Tendon Forces For Injury Prevention, Alexis Doutt

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Knee and Achilles tendon injuries are the most common injuries experienced by runners. New advances in wearable devices and simple, low cost force plates now allow for the estimation of impact forces and stride lengths during outdoor running or in clinical settings; Impact forces and stride lengths may be able to predict gold standard measures of knee and Achilles tendon forces. If so, the estimation of knee and Achilles tendon forces in by clinicians would be feasible using wearable devices, outside a laboratory setting. Thus, we hypothesized that impact forces and stride lengths (our two surrogate measures) would predict the …

Assessing Shrimp Farm Activity In The Gulf Of California And Modeling Potential For Restoration, Miles Scheuering

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The estuaries of Sonora and Sinaloa on the Gulf of California in Mexico provide critical wintering and stopover sites for migratory waterbirds in the Pacific Flyway. Shrimp farms are the greatest threat to these areas and their full impact is not well understood. Once shrimp production has stopped, they are often abandoned. A significant portion of existing farms may be abandoned based on a disparity between active area reported by the Sonora and Sinaloa state commissions and observed area based on remote sensing. To quantify the area of shrimp farms I digitized and classified them by wetland characteristics using recent …

Understanding Caribou Population Cycles, Jack St. John

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The complex population dynamics of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are being studied to determine the patterns and processes driving their population cycles. It is well established, via previous archaeological research and indigenous knowledge, that large migrating caribou herds found in around the tundra at northern latitudes experience population boom and busts roughly every several decades. However, the processes driving the dynamics of these cycles are relatively unknown, which makes managing caribou herds for recreational and subsistence harvests difficult. It has been hypothesized that a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors shape these cycles, with birth rates, density-dependence, and climate …

Anatomy Students Perceptions Towards The Transition To Online Due To Covid 19., Drake C. Leonard

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Anatomy students perceptions towards the transition to online due to COVID 19.

In the spring of 2020, the way students were presented information changed completely. As COVID spread around the world, students’ academic experiences were being shifted to an online platform. Although there have been some studies that have addressed this transition, the majority of the results from these studies showed a negative perception towards the transition and looked into what did and did not work. In this study we are looking anatomy students' perceptions of the transition from in-person classes to online classes due to COVID for students in …

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profiles In A Population Of Taiwanese Rhinoceros Beetles, Devin J. Hunt, Chelsey N. Caldwell, Romain P. Boisseau, Patrick Krebs, Douglas J. Emlen

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Insects communicate using diverse mechanisms. From the classic chirping of crickets to the singing of beetles, the world of insect signaling is almost as diverse as the class itself. In addition to acoustic signaling, insects rely on communication through chemical signals embedded within their waxy cuticles. These signals, often long-chain hydrocarbons and alcohols, serve as chemical signals of body size, mate quality, and sex. Our group has previously reported evidence of sex differences in cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles in a population of the Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Trypoxylus dichotomus. Based on these analyses, we hypothesized that CHC profiles conveyed meaningful …

Peer-Leader Activities In The Biology Classroom: Effects On Student Confidence In The Course And Knowledge Of Discussion Topics, Jadyn Aliyah Peterson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Peer-Leader Activities in the Biology Classroom: Effects on Student Confidence in the Course and Knowledge of Discussion Topics

College students in STEM majors often report experiencing feelings that their courses are overly competitive, unsupportive, and that the professors seem apathic or unwelcoming. A promising approach to creating a more comfortable and supportive environment within the biology classroom is the utilization of peer-led activities. This study aims to investigate whether the student-reported confidence in the learning topic and in the overall course were affected by the completion of the peer activity, and additionally, whether the students who indicated positive post-activity perceptions …

Covid-19 Team Based Learning In Cellular And Molecular Biology Enhances Student Engagement And Enthusiasm In Learning, Raegan B. Hauschildt

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

COVID-19 Team Based Learning In Cellular and Molecular Biology Enhances Student Engagement and Enthusiasm In Learning

Student perceptions of learning outcomes in team-based learning (TBL) situations were explored in the summer offering of BIOB 260: Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Montana. The TBL methods employed in this course were three active participation small group exercises with pre- and post-activity assignments and a final group project. This study looks to test how TBL is received by students and if these activities would lead to an increase in students’ perception of learning. To better understand team-based learning in Cell …

Enhancing The Public’S General Vaccine Knowledge Through A Comprehensive And User-Friendly Website., Bonnie Long

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Less than a year since the World Health Organization first declared Covid-19 to be a global pandemic, The United States Food and Drug Administration has given authorization for the emergency use of three live-saving Covid-19 vaccines. With several vaccine candidates entering phase three clinical trials all over the world and more receiving approval for emergency use, questions continue to arise about how each vaccine works and what their effectiveness is at preventing Covid-19 illness. In fact, the pandemic has revealed a significant gap in the general public’s knowledge about the importance of all vaccines, not just the vaccines made to …

Consequences Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi On Plant Drought Responses And Possible Mechanisms, Kian G.M. Speck, Ylva Lekberg

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Purpose

Conyza canadensis is a ruderal annual that thrives under drought despite it lacking obvious xeromorphic traits, such as succulent leaves or deep roots. This plant is also highly colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) making it an ideal candidate to study how mycorrhiza affects plant drought tolerance. The overarching objectives of this research were to determine whether 1) mycorrhizal Conyza plants are more drought tolerant than nonmycorrhizal Conyza plants under drought stress, and, if so 2) to gain insight concerning potential underlying mechanisms.

Methods

We used a 2x3 factorial design with two inoculation treatments (+AMF and -AMF) and three …

Effect Of Weather On Flight Speed Of California Condors, Sky Mae Gennette

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Birds respond to variable environmental conditions by modulating aspects of their movement. Soaring birds use updrafts associated with surface terrain (i.e., orographic updrafts) and differential heating of the surface (thermal updrafts) to subsidize their flight, and they respond to other meteorological factors such as wind speed and air pressure. I evaluated how environmental factors influence one aspect of flight performance, flight speed, of a large obligate-soaring species, the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Based on previous research, I expected that condors would fly faster in conditions conducive to formation of updrafts. I calculated flight speeds using GPS data collected …

Resilience In Youth Related To Adult Relationships, Svea Rika Wigert

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Having close relationships with adults can increase children’s resilience and decrease risk factors such as mental health problems and feelings of loneliness. A program that targets resilience in youth is the Kaleidoscope Connect Program. This program focuses on the emotional and social needs of students and establishes connections with caring and supportive adults, a key protective factor of this program. The goal of the project is to examine the effectiveness of Kaleidoscope Connect in increasing resilience and decreasing problem behaviors in a sample of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders in a school district in Western Montana. Using data from this …

The Bewitching Eye: Women As Basilisks In The Writing Of María De Zayas, Betta C. Lyon-Delsordo

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

A commonly referenced motif in Golden Age Spanish literature is the power of a woman’s gaze. For some, this female seductive power is something to be feared, and it is likened to the gaze of a basilisk, a monstrous serpent that can kill by locking eyes with its prey. One author who makes heavy use of this comparison is María de Zayas y Sotomayor (1590 - c. 1661), author of the Novelas amorosas y ejemplares and the Desengaños amorosos, two collections of short stories that bring to light the experiences of Spanish noblewomen in the 17th century. In the …

Disrupting Settler Stories: Learning To Live With Respect, Intimacy, And Reciprocity On Colonized Land, Anna S. Favour

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

These essays and illustrations are informed by the question of how to form meaningful connection to place and care for a place when that land is colonized; when the creation of this place is rooted in harm. The purpose is to explore questions that have arisen during four years of Environmental Studies education. I want to learn what it means to be an environmentalist – to have a deep respect for the land and its inhabitants in a manner that extends beyond conservation – a relationship centered around respect, intimacy, and reciprocity. I want to understand if it’s possible to …

Les Chiques: The Addition Of A Third Gender-Neutral Option In The Spanish Language, Fiona Siobhan Bean

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

All nouns, determiners, and many adjectives in the Spanish language are grammatically designated as either masculine or feminine, and the default is always the masculine form. For example, “the tall boy” in Spanish is “el chico alto”, “the tall girl” is “la chica alta”, and if there is a group of tall children the plural form is the masculine “los chicos altos” even if there are females in the group. This binary gender division and masculine default can cause harm, however, when used in reference to women and non-binary people. This paper explores the recent movement to include a third …

Costco Wholesale's Dominance In The Market, Elliot Andrew Johnson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This report examines how Costco Wholesale is able to serve as the world’s premier wholesale store. The competitive and rapidly changing business environment is forcing companies to become more efficient in every level of their operations. The wholesale stores industry survives by maintaining a high inventory turnover ratio, achieving high customer retention and satisfaction, and managing costs through strict supply chain management. Of all the companies analyzed in this report, Costco has the best market penetration and the most bargaining power with suppliers – i.e., more people are familiar with Costco than with its competitors, and suppliers are willing to …

The Pedagogy Of James Baldwin; What Undergraduate Peer Educators Stand To Learn From Emancipatory Teaching Processes, Arwen Baxter

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

James Baldwin is known as a civil rights activist, novelist, and accomplished orator, his words reaching students across college campuses during the civil rights movement of the 1960’s and today. Not only was Baldwin a spokesman for civil rights, his body of work reflects a pedagogical stance of emancipatory education, encouraging active learning and visualizing the process of education as one of revolution divergent from societal expectations. Through close readings of the works of James Baldwin, reflections on my experiences as a University of Montana Undergraduate Learning Assistant, and a personal paradigm shift resulting from a semester of research study …

Integrated Education In Northern Ireland, Makayla O'Neil

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In Northern Ireland, children are divided between Protestant and Catholic schools. As such, the path of integrated education there is slow and complicated.

Through research as well as interviews with experts and people directly affected, I hope to give an American audience an understanding of integrated education in Northern Ireland and draw connections between integration in the States and Northern Ireland.

Less than 10% of Northern Ireland’s students were enrolled in integrated schools during the 2019-2020 school year according to a study performed by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Unlike in the United States, education and religion have …

Cultural Expression Through Art, Natalie Martin, Madeline Damon, Lauren Sullivan, George Finn

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Our project’s goal is to work towards greater cultural awareness within the Missoula community by focusing on educating children about culture through art. Cultural education has been slow to be implemented in schools, although it is increasing in importance as diversity in the Missoula community and the rest of the U.S. continues to increase. Cultural awareness is a broad term that covers multiple aspects of awareness: empathy, competence, safety, and intelligence. Learning cultural awareness begins at a young age, so we designed a hands-on learning experience directed at students in grades 4 through 6. We decided to use art as …

Lobbying For Medicated Assisted Treatment In Montana, Asia Chhon, Mason Hutchinson, Taylor Hill, Alex Whaples, Kian Speck

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Despite spending more than any other county on incarceration and reentry programs, the United States continues to have some of the highest rates of reincarceration. Programs designed to teach inmates job skills, GED programs, and new Medicaid measures have proved moderately successful for reducing recidivism among certain offenders, but one class continues to suffer high recidivism rates. People imprisoned for opioid drug use are more likely to reoffend than any other group, but very few governments in different countries around the world have allotted the resources to establish effective treatment facilities, creating a cycle very few can escape. This project …

Rewilding Children: Creating Digital Tools For K-5 Wildlife Education, Ashley Sinclair, Jeffrey Hyer, Mitchell Reynolds, Megan Jackson, Makayla Haynes, Nicole Ballard, Katelyn Graybeal

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As people are moving and expanding into more rural and unoccupied areas, the number of human-wildlife interactions have increased. Public attitudes toward wildlife are essential for the safety of both, as well as maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Lack of awareness and education surrounding wildlife results in relationships with wildlife becoming disconnected, dangerous, and harmful to both native wildlife species and people. We believe through proper education, these conflicts can be mitigated and prevented. With our literature review, we learned that starting education about wildlife at an early age is important. While some resources for teachers exist, they do not allow …

Something Old, Something New; Where Classic Literature Meets Creative Writing, Arwen Baxter

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

I started this project as a study tool for my upper division literature courses. For every story I read, I would write a poem, sometimes based on my general reaction or a specific line, or just a word that resonated. I would use these free form poetry sessions to help clarify what each text meant to me and the facets I was most interested in exploring through longer essays. Over time, the poems became a goal in themselves. I find that Poetry has a great power of synthesis, that as a practice it can distill meaning into its purest forms. …

Limelight: An Investigation Into Performance, Noelle Huser

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The world's a stage and we are all its performers. We perform in the way we exist, in relationship to ourselves and others, both a byproduct and ingredient of conditioning and identity. Our gender identity, race, social status, all inform the way we behave in different settings. Our performance, whether we are conscious of it or not, is what makes us most animal and most human all at the same time.

“Limelight”is the choreographic work I will be presenting on, in which I will unpack the dance performance and the movement methodology used to create it. This lens that I …

Is Play Behavior In Adolescent Rats Regulated At The Level Of Dyads Or Individuals?, Sunny Mathaun, Susan Greene, Patrick Hanni

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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