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University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, April 24, 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

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 …

Ecosystem Food Web Lift-The-Flap Pages, Dana L. Atwood-Blaine, Audrey C. Rule, Hannah Morgan

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

In the lesson on which this practical article is based, third grade students constructed a “lift-the-flap” page to explore food webs on the prairie. The moveable papercraft focused student attention on prairie animals’ external structures and how the inferred functions of those structures could support further inferences about the animals’ diets. In general, most students made simple causal connections between an animal’s observable characteristics and the food it would probably eat. Some students were also able to make multi-agent connections to develop a more complex mental model of a food web. Ultimately, the lift-the flap project was engaging to students …

Twenty Fourth Annual Csbs Student Research Conference [Program] April 12, 2017, University Of Northern Iowa

INSPIRE Student Research & Engagement Conference Programs

A program for the INSPIRE conference where undergraduate and graduate students present their research, internship, volunteer and study abroad experiences, club activities and creative performances.

Honors Research Conference [Program] April 8, 2017, University Of Northern Iowa

Honors Research Day Programs

No abstract provided.

A Qualitative Comparison Of General Chemistry And Advanced Placement Chemistry Students’ Misconceptions Regarding Solution Chemistry, Megan Vandersee

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

There has been much research on student misconceptions regarding the particulate nature of matter and its relation to solution chemistry (e.g. Adadan & Savasci, 2012; Calik & Ayas, 2005; Calik, Ayas, & Coll, 2009; Pinarbasi & Canpolat, 2003; K. J. Smith & Metz, 1996). However, there is a lack of information regarding student misconceptions in areas of solution chemistry such as factors affecting solubility, polarity & molecular interactions and colligative properties. This research compared the misconceptions in solution chemistry held by students who are approaching the end of an Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry course in the high school setting with …

Mindfulness And Power Posing Interventions To Decrease Emotional Distress, Lydia Carlson, Cori Bohnenblust, Jacklyn Johnson

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

While mindfulness interventions have gained acceptance, power posing as an intervention is more controversial. It became of interest with the release of Amy Cuddy’s 2012 TED talk, Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are. Those who attend this presentation will learn about mindfulness and power posing interventions and their effect on reducing emotional distress in late adolescents.

Just Sleep It Off: Does Sleep Moderate The Impact Of Insecure Attachment Styles On Cortisol Levels?, Kristin Rooff

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Insecure attachment styles have been shown to negatively impact several aspects of physical and mental health. An association exists between insecure attachment and dysregulation in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; in particular, its impact on cortisol release. However, in reaction to a stressor, attachment style has shown varying impacts depending on the type of insecure attachment (high anxiety or high avoidance). Research on stress reactivity using measures of salivary cortisol has shown that insecure attachment is positively correlated with cortisol reactivity, even when accounting for factors such as age and body-mass index. Specifically, there is a link between “high anxiety” (insecure) …

Exploring Technology Through The Integration Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy And Issues Of Social Justice, Courtney Clausen

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

As classrooms become more racially/ethnically, economically, and linguistically diverse in the United States it is important for teachers to integrate pedagogy and methodology in the classroom that challenges existing inequities in education and assist all students in being successful in the classroom. Integrating culturally relevant pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching into one’s teaching and learning with diverse students can assist with creating an equitable learning environment. The purpose of this poster presentation is to share the findings of an action research project exploring the integration of culturally relevant pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching in a summer enrichment program for a …

Making Inventions Using Scamper And Animal Adaptation Ideas With Elementary Students, Mahjabeen Hussain

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

This study explores to what extent the SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange) technique combined with animal adaptation ideas learned through form and function analogy activities can help fourth graders generate creative ideas while augmenting their inventiveness. The sample consisted of 24 fourth grade students (14 female, 10 male) ages 9-10 at a suburban Midwestern elementary school. A repeated-measures design involving all participants alternately in the two conditions measured students under each treatment condition. In the experimental condition, students used SCAMPER charts with animal adaptation ideas to generate ideas to improve a product using …

Perceptions Of Transgender Populations: An Educational Module To Increase Knowledge And Reduce Negative Attitudes, Dacia Oberhelman

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Individuals who identify as transgender are at the receiving end of subtle and direct forms of negative attitudes and discrimination. These attitudes and discrimination remain despite the recent research emphasis on attitudes toward sexual minority populations and the large improvement in attitudes toward sexual minorities over the last few decades. Recent research related to transgender populations largely focuses on examining the existing attitudes, rather than attempts to reduce these negative attitudes. In the current study, we aim to increase knowledge about transgender populations and reduce negative attitudes by employing an online psychoeducational intervention module. Potential change in attitudes will be …

Achieving And Maintaining Flow During Practice And Performance, Jenna Klein

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Flow, also referred to as being “in the zone,” is a state of total absorption in an activity where an individual’s risk and skill are in balance. This mental state is sought after by many musicians for its positive effect on performance. Flow has been described as leading to a loss of self-awareness, changes in the perception of time, the ability to play effortlessly, a sense of calm, and confidence. Flow is characterized by changes in brain function. Complete, undistracted concentration on one activity allows the left, more analytical side of the brain to rest, while the right, more creative …

Gender Differences In Civilian Stigma Of Combat-Related And Military Sexual Trauma-Related Ptsd, Marjorie Perkins

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disorder often associated with military servicemembers. Two common types of trauma associated with PTSD in servicemembers are combat and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). MST is defined as sexual harassment that is threatening in character or physical assault of a sexual nature that occurred while the victim was in the military. Stigma, or the negative social identity attributed to a feature or characteristics of an individual, is a factor associated with both PTSD and MST. In a qualitative study, recent veterans were asked about the perceptions of a soldier being diagnosed with a …

Predictors Of Attitudes Toward Transgender Men And Women, Emma Welch, Antoinette Fleming, Hailey Hatch

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Transgender individuals experience prejudice (Elischberger et al., 2016; Norton & Herek, 2013) and have a much higher suicide rate (41%) than the national average, possibly due to this prejudice and discrimination (Haas, Rodgers, & Herman, 2014). Little research, however, has examined factors that may relate to greater levels of prejudice toward this group. The degree and expression of prejudice toward many types of targets differs by political orientation (Nail, Harton, & Decker, 2003), and empathy decreases prejudice toward some targets (Batson, Polycarpou, Harmon-Jones, Mitchener, Bednar, & Highberger, 1997). We hypothesized that conservatives would express more negative attitudes towards transgender individuals …

Prejudice And Dr. Seuss Wants You [Poster], University Of Northern Iowa. Center For Holocaust And Genocide Education.

Center for Holocaust and Genocide Education Documents

A poster advertising an exhibit on the prejudices and stereotypes that everyone carries with them. Also includes some information about related films.

Tenth Annual Graduate Student Symposium [Program], 2017, University Of Northern Iowa

Annual Graduate Student Symposium Programs

Table of Contents
--Welcome From Dr. Mark Nook
--Graduate Education for the Greater Public Good-Alumni Panel
--Poster Presentations
--Creative Performances
--Oral Presentations

Uni Schedule Of Classes, Spring 2017, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Schedule of Classes

A listing and schedule of the courses being taught as well as policies and procedures concerning attending classes at the University of Northern Iowa.

Stem Stories, April 2017, #1, Mir Ashfaquzzaman

STEM Stories

Faculty Profile - Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi

Uni Grad Student News, V17n5 [V.15n5], April 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate College.

UNI Grad Student News

Inside this Issue:

--Message From the Dean
--Current Faculty Profile
--Current Student Profile
--Alumni Profile
--10th Annual Graduate Student Symposium
--UNI Rise: Refugee and Immigrant Support and Empowerment
--Cedar Valley’s Little Free Pantries
--UNI MBA International Hong Kong Alumni
--Student Accolades

Uni Today, V101n1, Spring 2017, University Of Northern Iowa Alumni Association

UNI Today

Inside This Issue:
--An Education Center for the 21st Century
--Introducing President Mark A. Nook
--Bouncing Back
--Embracing the Spectrum
--For the Love of the Game
--Behind the Lens
--A Panther Among Bears
--Learning to Lead
--Craft Breweries Go Green
--Get to Know… Douglas Mupasiri
--Just in Case You Missed It…
--Discover More Than a Classroom at UNI
--Lifelong Learning. Lifelong Success.
--Jourdan Mentor Scholarship
--Class Notes
--Alumni Travel Program
--Historical Photos
--Alumni Clubs and Calendar of Events

Panther Press, Spring 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Military Science.

Panther Press

Inside this issue:
--UNI ROTC Supports JAFROTC Drill and Ceremony
--UNI Participates in Joint Field Training Exercise
--UNI ROTC Sleeps Out to Build Hope
--UNI Sexual Assault Awareness Month April 2017
--Governor Recognizes Top ROTC Cadets
--UNI ROTC Commissioning
--Professor Military Science Final Comments

Some Evidence Of Youthful Aging: Elevated Cortisol And The Association With Dna Damage, Jason M. Fly, M. Catherine Desoto

Research in the Capitol

Chronic psychological stress as measured by the elevation of the stress hormone cortisol is thought to play a crucial role in the biological mechanisms involved in disease and accelerated aging. In 2011, a critical connection was reported between cortisol and the oxidative damage to DNA 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 aging and the onset of disease. The possible relationship between psychological stress and the cellular damage that underlies aging and disease is explored here, replicating the prior study …

Alcohol And Its Relationship To Family Work Conflict, Jasmine Beecham, Adam B. Butler, Brenda L. Bass

Research in the Capitol

Alcohol has tension reducing properties, and there is evidence that people consume alcohol to reduce stressors in their lives. Conflict between work and family is a common stressor for workers. This project analyzes the relationship between work-family conflict and alcohol consumption in a sample of 81 non-professional working parents. Contrary to our hypothesis, work-family conflict was not related to either the quantity or frequency of alcohol consumption. In contrast, family-to-work conflict was related to lower alcohol consumption.

Skin Bleaching In The African Community, Yena Balekyani

Research in the Capitol

Bleaching of skin is the action in which person(s) apply chemical substances on their body to chemically alter (e.g., in this case, lighten) their skin pigmentation. The purpose of the study is to gain ground in understanding how and why this phenomenon of skin bleaching is occurring in the African Community in the U.S., as well as how skin bleaching affects them. In person interviews are conducted to collect qualitative data on women and men of color in the African diaspora, in the United States who decide to engage in the bleaching of their skin. Previous prominent research in skin …

Effects Of Role-Goal Methods On Student Engagement: A Case Study [Poster], Zachariah John Lillquist, Benjamin Forsyth, Ben Olsen

Research in the Capitol

The purpose of this study is to explore how classroom contexts and instructional methods influence student participation and engagement through the “Role-Goal” model. This model gives students a “role” to take on to meet an end “goal,” or a desired outcome of a given classroom activity. In the case study, students will be given the role of a roller coaster engineer and are tasked to build a paper roller coaster for an amusement park coming to the Cedar Valley area. Students will be interviewed after the unit to determine their engagement and excitement levels. The overall goal of this study …

Cultural Influences On Time Pressure In The U.S. And Taiwan, Maribel Guevara-Myers, Helen C. Harton

Research in the Capitol

Levine and Norenzayan’s (1999) multicountry observational study investigated differences in time pressure due to cultural differences (individualism vs. collectivism). They found people in New York City walked more quickly down a sidewalk than people in Taipei, Taiwan. In this study, I investigated whether there would be a difference in walking pace in a smaller United States city (Des Moines, Iowa) compared to Taipei, Taiwan. I examined whether pace would differ by location—an outdoor shopping area vs. downtown. I also examined possible differences in time of day (12pm and 5pm) and day of week (Monday and Friday). The results were that …

12th Annual Research In The Capitol [Program], March 28, 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. University Honors Program., University Of Iowa. Honors Program., Iowa State University. Honors Program.

Research in the Capitol Programs

Program of research presentations given at the Capitol by students from the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.

Cet Update, March 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Center For Educational Transformation.

CET Updates

Inside this issue:

--CET Awards Three New Research Grants for 2017-18
--CET Research Fellows to Present at AERA 2017
--Gerald Campano Visits UNI for "Ed Perspectives"
--2017 Ed Summit to be November 6-7, 2017
--CET Helps UNI Evaluate its Educator Prep Programs

Stem Stories, March 2017, #1, Ryan Lockard

STEM Stories

Faculty Profile - Marek K. Sliwinski, Part 1

Barriers To Breastfeeding Among Rural Women In The United States, Kimberly Aschbrenner, Disa Lubker Cornish

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Breastfeeding is well-established as a beneficial practice for both infants and mothers; substantial evidence from a wide variety of international settings supports the positive impacts of breastfeeding. However, a significant proportion of U.S. infants are not fed according to this standard. While poor breastfeeding rates can be found in all parts of the United States, the problem is particularly prevalent among mothers living in rural environments where health outcomes are consistently worse than national averages. Significant differences have been found between urban and rural women in many breastfeeding behavioral outcomes, including consistently lower rates reported among rural populations. The problem …