Digital Commons Network^™

Using Fiddler Crab Species To Identify Coastal Biomes Around The Perimeter Of The Atlantic Ocean, Amber Finke

Honors Program Theses

Organisms are distributed differentially across world’s surface based on many environmental characteristics. What part do physical characteristics play in demarcating the distribution of species? Using several international fiddler crab collections and GIS-linked sets of habitat factors, I sought an answer to this question. Geographic distribution data for 23 species from over 1700 collecting sites situated along the coasts of Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and South America were used to characterize coastal biogeographic biomes around the perimeter of the North and South Atlantic Ocean. As an initial objective, the exact geographic distribution of each species based …

Characterization Of Mtdna Minicircles In A Chewing Louse Stachiella Octomaculatus, Jaylie Hicklin

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Impact Of Model-Evidence-Link Charts In Seventh-Grade Student’S Ability To Engage In Scientific Argumentation Over Plant Reproductive Structures, Josephine Libby

Graduate Research Papers

The MEL has been utilized in a variety of topics, but not plant reproductive structures. The resource would allow students to form connections between provided scientific text and provided models. The goal is to have students understand the text and connect it to the correct model over the model based on a common misconception.

The study also investigated whether the use of these models would gain student confidence in the area of scientific argumentation. Scientific argumentation is a scientific practice a part of the Next Generation Science Standards that have been adopted by the state of Iowa. The middle school …

Measurement: The Forgotten Unit: Introduction To Quantitative Data Acquisition In Ninth Grade Physical Science, James F. Duff

Graduate Research Papers

What if you have determined that the students you teach need foundational knowledge and skills that are not addressed in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)? My Ninth Grade Physical Science class provides an introduction to the data intensive subjects of subsequent secondary science classes. Sound data requires accurate measurements. Students in my classes have struggled with layering the metric system of measurement on top of the Imperial system and the NGSS lacks a standard that directly addresses measurement with metric units.

I used the Backward Design process of Wiggins & McTighe (2005) to construct a unit centered on the …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Cognitive Decline, Kallie Bakker

Graduate Research Papers

This study analyzes the association between ACEs and cognitive decline as well as both ACEs and cognitive declines relationship to gender. It is a secondary data analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. The BRFSS is composed of data collected from adults (individuals aged 18 and older) across the United States. The results of this study indicate that there is indeed a relationship between ACEs and cognitive decline. It was found that Adults who experienced more Adverse Childhood Experiences experience greater cognitive decline. Another significant finding is the significant relationship found between cognitive decline and gender. This …

The Cancellation Station Podcast: The Controversies Of Canceling, Quinn Rauchenecker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The term “Cancel Culture” has had a firm grasp on mainstream culture and disagreements about whether it is doing more harm than good. While the initial intention of the widespread term was created for good, it is now in a space of critique. For my thesis, I use the creative means of podcasting to explore cancel culture and its controversies.

A Literature Review Of Factors Contributing To Archaeal Diversity, Anna R. Carmen

Honors Program Theses

Archaea, being classified as its own separate domain only within the past fifty years, has earned a reputation of being notoriously difficult to culture in a laboratory setting. Because of this, their functions in ecosystems and potential for use in bioremediation is largely unknown and untapped. In order to further develop methodologies to successfully cultivate these microbes, an analysis of past research is needed to help understand where to lead research. After analyzing past studies on archaea and recalcitrant microbes as a whole, it is found that other factors are often overlooked and a label of recalcitrance is added. This …

Balancing Progress And Ethics: Exploring The Science And Ethics Of Gene Editing: Literature Review, Jackson Burgess

Honors Program Theses

Two decades ago, the completion of the Human Genome Project marked a pivotal milestone in scientific history, unraveling the blueprint of human DNA and laying the foundation for the Genetic Revolution. This monumental achievement allows researchers to uncover the correlations between DNA sequences and biological functions. Today, this movement has propelled modern geneticists toward the peak of human health sciences: the ability to manipulate the very essence of our being. With the aid of Genetic Engineering, scientists now possess the capability to alter the fundamental framework of our genetic code, offering the potential to cure fatal genetic disorders alongside other …

Representation Of Lgbtq+ Characters In The 2019 To 2022 Iowa Teen Award Books, Jamie Thompson

Graduate Research Papers

This qualitative literary content analysis examines the representation of LGBTQ+ themes in the student-nominated Iowa Teen Award (ITA) books from the past three years to help librarians and classroom teachers build an inclusive library collection. The research question posed in this study is: In what ways are LGBTQ+ characters represented in the Iowa Teen Award books? The analysis of eight middle-grade books (Appendix A) using the book analysis tool (Appendix B) identified three themes: Transformation of Understanding, Hopefulness, and Richness of Plot. Results showed that while all the books had a complex storyline, only five of the books showed a …

A Qualitative Case Study Of Montessori Approaches To Learning Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic In Iowa, Ellie Penick

Honors Program Theses

This research focused on the unique and innovative ways two Montessori Schools handled the pandemic in the context of Iowa’s COVID-19 regulations. Research focused on the state of Iowa due to its relevance and proximity to the researcher and its notably relaxed approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the purpose and scope of this study, research focused on two Montessori contexts within the state of Iowa. While this research is not representative of all Montessori schools in Iowa, it provides useful insight into the topic that can support further research on Montessori approaches to COVID-19.

The driving question behind this …

Why Play? Exploring The Realities Of Play-Based Learning In Kindergarten, Sofia Josephine Steele

Honors Program Theses

By nature, children are curious and love to explore the world around them. Play is one way that children can fulfill that innate curiosity. Through play-based learning, educators can utilize that innate curiosity and wonder in children to create valuable learning experiences that will engage and teach them. This pedagogical approach is used in early childhood education to help children develop their academic, social, and emotional skills through appropriate learning experiences that consider their abilities and interests. However, in recent years, there has been a shift away from play-based learning in kindergarten classrooms. The reasoning behind this shift may be …

Modeling Phosphorus Loading Dynamics In Milford Creek Watershed: With Comparison To A Consent Decree Tmdl, Olivia Calvin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In 1998 Milford Creek, located in northwest Iowa, USA, was included on Iowa’s Impaired Waters List due to its inability to support aquatic life and excessive algal growth that was attributed to an overabundance of phosphorus within the body. In 2001 there was a lawsuit filed against the U.S. EPA regarding the status of Iowa’s Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL) program. The lawsuit resulted in a consent decree that required the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to develop a TMDL for all bodies of water on Iowa’s 1998 impaired waters list by December 15, 2009, this list included Milford …

Teacher Use Of Rubrics To Assess Claim, Evidence And Reasonings In The High School Science Classroom, Brianna Finnegan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This qualitative study examines how high school science teachers in an eastern Iowa high school utilize rubrics to assess students’ claims, evidence, and reasoning (CER) in the science classroom. The research investigates the methodology teachers employ in assessing student proficiency using their own rubrics they have created. Data were collected through think-aloud interviews with participating teachers as they evaluated and scored CER examples. Analysis of interview data involved inductive coding to identify common themes and categories, shedding light on teacher’s scoring practices, rubric construction, and perceptions of student proficiency and rubric validity.

Findings reveal that teachers often weigh evidence and …

Investigating The Effects Math Achievement Has On A Student’S Attitude Toward Physics, Katherine Weivoda

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to examine the correlation between math achievement and both physics attitudes and specific topics of beginner level physics. This project was studied because of the common issue of students having negative attitudes toward physics. Causes for negative attitudes toward physics are typically researched by surveys. An online survey was given to students at the University of Northern Iowa. Questions about physics attitudes, physics topics attitudes, and math attitudes were asked along with chances for them to explain their thinking. A total of 72 students were categorized by math achievement by both the number of …

Narratives Of Identity: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of Biracial Identity Construction And Performance In Family, Education, And Media, Eboni Springfield

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis explores the complex construction and performance of biracial identity within the context of the United States, delving into the historical and ongoing impacts of race and racism, and the pervasive influence of white supremacy. Through an autoethnographic approach, this study investigates how personal narratives illuminate the processes of biracial identity construction, expression, and negotiation across three social institutions: family, education, and media. The findings reveal the intricate and intersecting interactions that contribute to identity formation, highlighting the expansive nature of intersectionality. The analysis demonstrates that biracial identity is continuously shaped in response to white supremacy, which complicates efforts …

The Future Of Mediation: Mcluhanisms For The Quantum Era, Erik Gustafson

Iowa Journal of Communication

The 21st century has been characterized as a time of expansive and rapid technological change, particularly regarding the internet, digital technologies, and now artificial intelligence. Both scholarly and popular conversations have rushed to make sense of the technological phenomenon as they occur. Now, the “second quantum revolution” and the race for “quantum supremacy” threaten to push technological knowledge and applications even further from public understanding. As such, the present article sought to provide a host of theoretical and practical tools that may aid the public and scholars alike in understanding and combatting the overwhelming features of technology that may come …

Commencement [Program], December 16, 2023, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Commencement Programs

The program of the commencement ceremonies, including a list of institutional leadership, a list of the departments by college, awards given at the ceremonies, and a list of undergraduate and graduate degree candidates. This commencement program is not an official graduate list.

Contents:

--- Iowa Board of Regents ... 2
--- Institutional Leadership ... 2
--- The Academic Procession ... 3
--- Academic Honorary Organizations ... 4
--- University Ambassador Organizations ... 5
--- University Honors Program ... 6
--- Legacy Graduates ... 6
--- Order of Events ... 7
--- College of Education ... 10
--- College of Humanities, …

Hyperbolic Matrix Factorization Improves Prediction Of Drug-Target Associations, Aleksandar Poleksic

Faculty Publications

Past research in computational systems biology has focused more on the development and applications of advanced statistical and numerical optimization techniques and much less on understanding the geometry of the biological space. By representing biological entities as points in a low dimensional Euclidean space, state-of-the-art methods for drug-target interaction (DTI) prediction implicitly assume the flat geometry of the biological space. In contrast, recent theoretical studies suggest that biological systems exhibit tree-like topology with a high degree of clustering. As a consequence, embedding a biological system in a flat space leads to distortion of distances between biological objects. Here, we present …

Correlations Between Educational Struggle, Toxic Sites By School District And Demographic Variables, With Geographical Information System Projections, Junu Shrestha, Raihan K. Khan, Shane Mcclintock, John Degroote, Catherine L. Zeman

Faculty Publications

This correlational study associated data on children enrolled in individualized educational plans in their K-12 schools (IEP) and an algorithm-calculated score of neurotoxins at contaminated sites located in each school district. The study also mapped and projected the correlations using Geographical Information System (GIS) technology. These data were populated in ArcMap 10.5 (a GIS software) for generating maps and data to conduct geospatial analysis. A total of 1 Superfund site and 39 CERCLA sites were identified as contaminated sites for this analysis. The majority of contaminants were heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. The mean toxic score …

Uni Impact: Faculty/Staff Scholarly Publications And Featured Awards Newsletter, V1i3-4, 2022, Rod Library. Research & Sponsored Programs. Uni Foundation. University Of Northern Iowa.

UNI Impact: Faculty/Staff Scholarly Publications and Featured Awards Newsletter

Highlights the scholarship, research, and other scholarly work produced by University of Northern Iowa faculty, students, and staff.

This issue covers the period of April - December 2022.

[Open Access Fair] Open Educational Resources Station, Anne Marie Gruber, Nikki Harken, Gabriela Olivares, Geneva Bell, Christian Johnson

Open Access Week Events

Open Educational Resources station at the morning Open Access Fair for the 2023 Open Access Day event at UNI

• Date: 10/24/2023
• Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
• Location: Rod Library main floor hallway
• People manning station: Anne Marie Gruber, Nikki Harken, Gabriela Olivares, Geneva Bell, and Christian Johnson

[Open Access Fair] Uni Scholarworks Station, Ellen Neuhaus, Edye Johnson, Bill Maravetz

Open Access Week Events

UNI ScholarWorks station at the morning Open Access Fair for the 2023 Open Access Day event at UNI

• Date: 10/24/2023
• Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
• Location: Rod Library main floor hallway
• People manning station: Ellen Neuhaus, Bill Maravetz, and Edye Johnson

2023 Open Access Week Day [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. Rod Library.

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

No abstract provided.

A Brief History Of Kappa Delta Pi, Psi Chapter, Stephen J. Fortgang, Becky W. Hawbaker

Faculty Book Gallery

The Psi Chapter at the Iowa State Teachers College (ISTC) was the twenty-third KDP chapter, installed on August 7th, 1923. Mabel I. Payne, the Secretary/Treasurer of the National KDP organization was in attendance as the installation officer. Eight other chapters were installed that year, and by its 25th anniversary in 1936, KDP had grown to 106 chapters nationally. Early members of the Psi Chapter included the State Teacher’s College President Homer Seerley as an honorary member and Dr. E. O. Finkbender of the Department of Education, who became the chapter counselor.

Minutes Of Graduate College Committee On Curricula, October 6, 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate College Curriculum Committee.

Minutes - Graduate Curriculum Committee

Minutes of the committee that oversees the development of the curriculum of the University of Northern Iowa Graduate College.

University Of Northern Iowa Fall Faculty Meeting Program, October 2, 2023, University Of Northern Iowa.

University Faculty Documents

The meeting program from the annual Fall Faculty Meeting of the University of Northern Iowa held on October 2, 2023.

Uni Schedule Of Classes: Policies And Procedures, Fall 2023, 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.

Science Education News, Fall 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Science Education Program.

Science Education News

Contents:

--- A Message from the Director of Science Education, Lawrence Escalada
--- Faculty Profile: Karen Breitbach
--- UNI's Science Education MA Program Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2024
--- Retirement: Lyn Countryman
--- UNI Science Education Update Conference
--- UNI Student Chapter of the National Science Teachers Association
--- Yager Science Education Resources & Outreach
--- OpenSciEd
--- New Next Gen FOSS Science Kits Ready for checkout
--- Iowa Secondary Energy Curriculum (ISEC)
--- Student Profiles: Catherine Lindley; Greta Birch; Blake Bixby
--- Iowa’s Emerging Water Quality Issues: Contamination to Recreation
--- OpenSciEd Workshops
--- Support UNI Science Education

Introducing Hānai Pedagogy: A Call For Equity In Education Through An Aanapi Lens, Robin Brandehoff

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

This paper introduces a novel pedagogical framework titled Hānai Pedagogy which embraces cultural identity, language, and familial relationships to counter dominant narratives around historical and colonial educational systems. Derived from a larger study on informal mentorships (Brandehoff, 2020) and Indigenous concepts of familial connectedness and community, Hānai Pedagogy is Hands-on; builds Alliances with students, families, and community members; Navigates racial, cultural, and economic oppressions; centers Authenticity among educators and learning practices; and encourages explorative teaching through Interrelations of cultural tradition and modern modes of learning. Using an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPI) lens, this new pedagogical framework …

Community Engagement Newsletter, September 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Community Engagement.

Community Engagement Newsletter

Contents:

--- Service-Learning Course Designation
--- Project HERE Pilot
--- Funding Opportunities
--- Impact Awards
--- Events
--- Student Engagement
--- UNI Engaged Podcast