Digital Commons Network^™

Resilience In Undergraduate Students: The Relation Between Personality, Social Support, And Cortisol Levels, Elisheva Joy Havlik

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the current study was to investigate resilience in relation to personality, social support, and cortisol levels in response to a stress induction in a sample of 174 undergraduate students. It was hypothesized that resilience would be positively related to personality traits and perceived social support, and also would predict cortisol levels at baseline, reactivity to stress induction, and recovery after stress induction. Additionally, exploratory analyses investigated the moderating effects between variables to explain the process of resilience further. Participants completed self-report questionnaires (i.e. the CD-RISC, BFI, and the MPSS), provided saliva samples via a passive drool collection …

Teachers' Pedagogical Practices, Shift, And Professional Growth In Online Courses, Maryam Rod Szabo

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This phenomenological study aims to understand the faculty member’s technological and pedagogical challenges when they teach an online course. The participants of the study were eight faculty members from a Midwestern university. All the participants had attended at least one Quality Matters workshop that was intended to help them design their online courses. While the workshops that the participants attended were similar, they were not the same. Some had participated in the workshop five or six years ago, and some had attended a more recent one. The faculty members then worked with instructional developers at the same university to design …

A Master's Recital In Voice, Lara Elizabeth Wasserman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On November 15, 2013, Lara Wasserman, soprano, presented her graduate voice recital. In collaboration with Polina Khatsko on harpsichord and piano, and Megan Grey on cello, she performed works by Georg Frideric Handel, Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy, and Jake Heggie. The 53-minute program took place in Davis Hall in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. This abstract discusses musical and historical aspects of each selection in the order in which they were performed.

Reconstructing The Phylogeny And Characterizing The Patterns Of Molecular Evolution Of The Tetraploid Freshwater Suckers (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae), Zachary Evan Sperstad

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The Catostomidae, colloquially known as the suckers, is a family of freshwater fish endemic to North America and Asia. This family is hypothesized to have evolved sometime before or during the Paleocene (56-66 Mya) from a single tetraploid ancestor, which is thought to be the product of a hybridization event between two closely related, diploid cypriniforms. Currently, there are 79 recognized, extant species, some of which are difficult to discriminate between in the field. Despite the numerous studies that have aimed to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this family, little consensus exists for the relationships of the subfamilies within the …

A Narrative Study: Utilizing Personal Strengths To Manage Foreign Language Anxiety, Lauren Anderson

Honors Program Theses

Foreign language anxiety develops when a student feels under pressure or uncomfortable in a foreign language-learning situation often because they are cognizant of their inability to project themselves in their target language as they do in their first. As a result, students may become nervous or overwhelmed and fear speaking in the target language. Many researchers and educators have recommended strategies to help students manage their foreign language anxiety. To continue expanding on these ideas, the purpose of this research is to investigate whether focusing on and using personal strengths will mitigate students’ foreign language anxiety and help improve their …

The Moral Motivations Of Negative Attitudes Toward Transgender People, Hailey Annette Hatch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Transgender individuals are at higher risk for experiencing sexual assault and police brutality than the general population (National Coalition for Anti-Violence Programs, 2013). These brutal acts are likely the result of negative attitudes. Negative attitudes toward transgender people are related to individual differences in psychological authoritarianism, political conservatism, religiosity, and low personal contact with sexual minorities (Norton & Herek, 2013). This study explored underlying moral mechanisms that may also contribute to negative attitudes toward transgender people – specifically mechanisms involving generalized disgust (i.e., purity) and harm. Moral foundations theory (Haidt & Graham, 2007) suggests that disgust is the underlying mechanism …

Uni Grad Student News, V16n2, December 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate College.

UNI Grad Student News

Inside this Issue:

--Alumni Profile
--Student Profile
--Conference Information
--Winter Break Activities
--Brown Bag Lectures
--Faculty Profile
--Professional Development
--Student Accolades

Energy-Dispersive X-Ray (Edx) Mapping Of Lead In Mastodon Tusk Using Sem, Nicholas Bonde, Katherine Plotzke

Mastodon Tusk Project Posters

The composition and location of lead within a prehistoric mastodon tusk was mapped using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis via a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). This analysis was intended to provide information on the distribution of lead throughout the tusk. Data collected from this analysis has provided insights into the sources of the lead.

Fifth Graders’ Creativity In Inventions With And Without Creative Articulation Instruction, Darcie K. Kress, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

Industry and authors of 21^st Century Skill Frameworks are calling for student proficiency in creativity, problem-solving, innovation, collaboration, and communication skills. This project involved 13 fifth grade gifted students in inventing products for a specified audience with a set of given materials, time limit, and topic constraints. The complex, challenging project supports Next Generation Science Engineering Process Standard 3-5-ETS1-2 and applies concepts of plant and animal adaptations. The study had a counterbalanced, repeated measures design in which student made an initial invention during the pretest, then participated in two trials with one in the control condition and the other …

Reading Nonfiction Science Literature With And Without Arts Integration Activities, Elizabeth Mccartney, Catherine Mochal, Victoria Boyd, Audrey C. Rule, Sarah E. Montgomery

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This study explores the integration of the arts into the teaching of science nonfiction texts during literacy instruction. Sixty-one elementary students (15 second graders, 25 third graders, and 21 fifth graders) attending schools of differing socio-economic levels participated in this study. The study examined the effects of artsintegration on student content knowledge, engagement level, and attitudes toward learning regarding science nonfiction texts. Throughout the eight-week study, students experienced both the traditional no-arts control condition and the experimental arts-integration condition in two-week segments for different science topics. Both conditions employed literacy strategies to teach comprehension of science nonfiction texts. The resulting …

Examining Natural Selection By Sketching And Making Models Of The Finches Of The Galapagos Islands, Phoebe J. Z. Pittman, Jolene K. Teske

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical lesson describes how students in six eighth grade science classes participated in a lesson combining the National Core Arts Standards with the Next Generation Science Standards. The goal of the lesson was to provide visual representations of finch beak form and function so students could better understand genetic variation and how environmental pressures influence natural selection. Students sketched a finch with a large, medium, or small beak, corresponding to an experiment they had conducted with picking up different sizes of seeds with different sizes of binder clips. Using modeling with a variety of media, students created bird beaks …

Middle Level Preservice Teachers Experience A Natural History Arts-Integrated Interdisciplinary Thematic Unit, Carolyn A. Weber, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

Curricular demands and best practices for middle school require interdisciplinary units. Arts integration can provide motivation and a new pathway to learning. This unit focused on inquiry into the natural history of artifacts and rocks recovered from the exposed subsoil of an area near Cedar Falls, Iowa that had been bulldozed as part of subdivision development. The described unit involved preservice teachers in exploration of all subject areas (language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies) with arts-integrated projects (agate watercolor painting, stone tool graphing, acrylic polymer clay agate keyring making, and stone tool drawings). The content area activities for social …

How The Arts Standards Support Stem Concepts: A Journey From Stem To Steam, Ksenia S. Zhbanova

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This issue of the Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions is focused on the effects of integrating arts with STEM areas, an important and widely-considered topic in education today. This editorial provides an overview of the current state of the arts and STEM areas integration paradigm, an analysis of the benefits of the arts integration with the STEM subjects, and an overview of the history of the arts anchor standards. Comparison and connections between the National Arts Core anchor arts standards, the scientific method, engineering design process, and the 5E learning cycle are also illuminated. Summaries of the practical …

Alpha-Arylphorin Is A Mitogen In The Heliothis Virescens Midgut Cell Secretome Upon Cry1ac Intoxication, Jerreme Jackson, Anais Castagnola, Omaththage P. Perera, Cris Oppert, Shigetoshi Eda, Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes

Faculty Publications

Insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) target cells in the midgut epithelium of susceptible larvae. While the mode of action of Cry toxins has been extensively investigated, the midgut response to Cry intoxication and its regulation are not well characterized. In this work, we describe the secreted proteome (secretome) of primary mature midgut cell cultures from Heliothis virescens larvae after exposure to Cry1Ac toxin compared to control buffer treatment. The Cry1Ac-induced secretome caused higher proliferation and differentiation and an overall reduction in total cell mortality over time in primary H. virescens midgut stem cell cultures …

Communiqué: College Of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine, Volume 6, Fall 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts, And Sciences.

Communiqué: College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine

Contents:
-- Message from the Dean
-- CHAS Briefs
-- Class Notes
-- Into the Woods
-- Wilson Lecture Turns 20
-- Environmental Ethics
-- Hearst Lectureship
-- Proud & Torn
-- Carver Grant Awarded
-- Physics 3 + 2 Program
-- Alum Speaks to UN
-- Clinic Director Named
-- Cornucopia
-- Woman in Innovation
-- Susan & Paul Rider

Theatre Uni Alumni Newsletter, Fall 2017-Spring 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Theatre.

Theatre UNI Alumni Newsletter

Inside This Issue:

-- Letter From the Department Head
-- The Best Week of My Life
-- Magical Moments in Lighting
-- A Cornerstone Project of Theatre UNI
-- Into the Woods Production Collaboration
-- Career Profiles
-- Theatre UNI National Advancement Board
-- Spotlight on Acting
-- Spotlight on Acting
-- An Actor's Path
-- A Letter from Steve Palmquist
-- Career Profile
-- Alumni Profile
-- Alumni Profile
-- Thoughts on Returning
-- Poster Retrospective

Social Movement Literacy: A Conceptual Overview, Jason Del Gandio

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

This article provides a conceptual overview of social movement literacy (SML). The purpose of SML is to help the general public become more proficient at reading and understanding the nature and function of social movements. Social movements are invaluable contributors to our collective lives, but very few people—outside of activists and specialized academics—consciously educate themselves about movement activity. SML is envisioned as an interdisciplinary, public pedagogy endeavor that brings together both scholars and activists in the attempt to establish core skills and knowledges that enable people to recognize, discuss, perhaps participate in and, if need be, intelligently critique the ideologies, …

“I’M Not Talking To You” “You Don’T Have To!” Trans/Scripting The Bland-Encinia Case, Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

This manifesto and trans/scription is a response to the specific violence that occurred between a Black female driver (Sandra Bland) and a white police officer (Brian Encinia) in Texas in July 2015 which resulted in Bland’s death. As an urgent #BlackLivesMatter concern, the author considers post-structuralist theories of identity and trans/scription as resources to inform identity performance and trans/imagination with more opportunities for life-giving rather than life-taking results. The author provides a series of questions and challenges to Theatre of the Oppressed practitioners for trans/scripting and trans/imaging moments of racial discrimination and terrorism for long-term rehearsal into, through, and beyond …

Biennial Faculty Activities Report To The Board Of Regents, State Of Iowa, 2017, University Of Northern Iowa, University Of Iowa, Iowa State University

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Report of faculty activity broken down by rank and compared to the other Regents institutions.

Christopher’S Very Happy Band, August 25, 2017 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. School Of Music.

Music Recital Programs

Program of a music recital given by faculty, students, or guest artists from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.

Evidence Of Youthful Aging: Chronic Stress And The Association With Dna Damage, Jason M. Fly, M. Catherine Desoto

McNair Scholars Program Summer Research Symposium

Abstract: Persistent elevated basal levels of the hormone cortisol are an indication of chronic stress. Maladaptive response to stress, or chronic psychological stress, is thought to play a crucial role in the biological mechanisms involved in mental disorders, disease, and accelerated aging. In 2011, a critical connection was reported between elevated cortisol and the oxidative damage to DNA associated with aging and disease in a study of elderly participants (ages 63-83) via 24-hour urinary samples (Joergensen, et. al., 2011). This connection, if verified, has implications for how stress may accelerate the aging process and the onset of cancer, diabetes, and …

Tracing Ancient Healing Practices Through The Hibiscus, Lyn Tackett

McNair Scholars Program Summer Research Symposium

Abstract: By studying traditional healing practices, we can provide new information that may help solve archaeological mysteries as well as offer new perspectives to modern medicine. For example, Hibiscus tea has long been in use throughout Africa and Asia, yet little research has been done into the origins of this medicine and whether early cultures traded that information. Trichomes and plant morphology of three species of Hibiscus native to Africa, China and India ( Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and Hibiscus syriacus) were studied using microscopy. The results were compared to known medicinal claims and ancient documents including trade maps and …

African-American Labor History In Waterloo: The Exhibit, Niria White

McNair Scholars Program Summer Research Symposium

Abstract: This study uses a labor history lens to research African American labor impacts in Waterloo, Iowa. During the Great Migration, African American laborers travelled to Iowa to work on the Illinois Central Railroad. In time, they began to work at the Rath Packinghouse and helped to build the community. This work is being developed into a public history exhibit at the Grout Museum, furthering knowledge of African American contributions to the Mid-West; countering the idea that African Americans have only been politically active during the Civil Rights Era. Historical records, artifacts, and personal interviews provided the data for this …

Plant Size And Competitive Dynamics Along Nutrient Gradients, Deborah E. Goldberg, Jason P. Martina, Kenneth J. Elgersma, William S. Currie

Faculty Work

Resource competition theory in plants has focused largely on resource acquisition traits that are independent of size, such as traits of individual leaves or roots or proportional allocation to different functions. However, plants also differ in maximum potential size, which could outweigh differences in module-level traits. We used a community ecosystem model called mondrian to investigate whether larger size inevitably increases competitive ability and how size interacts with nitrogen supply. Contrary to the conventional wisdom that bigger is better, we found that invader success and competitive ability are unimodal functions of maximum potential size, such that plants that are too …

Uni S A C Updates: Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology Newsletter, Summer 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Sociology, Anthropology, And Criminology.

Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology Newsletter

Inside This Issue:
-- Purple and Old Gold Awards
-- SAC Internships
-- Alumni in Residence
-- Sociology Updates
-- Anthropology Updates
-- Criminology Updates
-- Alumni Testimonial
-- Contact Us

Proceedings Of The 129th Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Abstracts & Program, 2017], Iowa Academy Of Science.

Annual Meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science [Programs & Abstracts]

Contains information about the schedule and presentations for the 2017 annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science, including abstracts.

Sixth Graders Investigate Models And Designs Through Teacher-Directed And Student-Centered Inquiry Lessons: Effects On Performance And Attitudes, Benjamin D. Olsen, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

Science inquiry has been found to be effective with students from diverse backgrounds and varied academic abilities. This study compared student learning, enjoyment, motivation, perceived understanding, and creativity during a science unit on Models and Designs for 38 sixth grade students (20 male, 18 female; 1 Black, 1 Hispanic and 36 White). The unit began with a very teacher-centered approach, then became increasingly student-centered, employing more inquiry with each lesson set to determine the effects of student-centered instruction on performance and attitudes. Pretest-posttest data with specific questions tied to each lesson set were collected, as well as repeated measures attitude …

Eighth Graders Explore Form And Function Of Modern And Fossil Organisms, Jolene K. Teske, Phoebe J. Z. Pittman

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

Arts integration into science has been shown to motivate students and promote long-term retention of content. To add to the literature addressing arts integration, an experiment was conducted with middle school students studying the anatomical similarities and differences between modern and fossil marine invertebrates and different types of extant insects. Eighth grade students participated in a counterbalanced-design, quasi-experimental study to determine if the integration of art into the science curriculum would influence student retention of content, enjoyment, motivation, and perceived learning toward learning science concepts supporting the Next Generation Science Standards including engineering-related concepts. The lessons addressed Life Science standard …

Teaching Kindergarten Students About The Water Cycle Through Arts And Invention, Latisha L. Smith, Deepanee Samarakoon

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

Research evidence for the benefits of arts integration is mounting. The purpose of this study was to determine if integration of the arts was an effective strategy for teaching the water cycle to kindergarten students. The study included lessons that supported both a science and an engineering standard of the Next Generation Science Standards and national arts standards. The phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of children as they learned and demonstrated understanding through drawings, watercolor paintings, dramatization of a water cycle poem, and the invention and testing of a waterproof boot. Participants were 12 kindergarten students (7 male, 5 …

Students Explore Fossil Creatures Of The Cambrian Period Burgess Shale Through Model-Making, Andrea Anderson, Ksenia Zhbanova, Phyllis Gray, Jolene K. Teske, Audrey C. Rule

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical article features an arts-integrated science unit on fossils of the Burgess Shale for fourteen elementary/ middle school students at a weeklong summer day camp. The day camp had a theme of recycling, reduction and reuse; all of the fossil models had substantial recycled components to support this theme. Next Generation Science Standards were supported by the course activities in which students examined fossil specimens, images, and comparative modern relatives to determine the anatomy and lifestyles of Burgess Shale Cambrian Period fossil animals (e.g., Olenoides trilobites, Anomalocaris, Canadaspis, Opabinia, Wiwaxia, Hallucigenia) through making scientific …