Digital Commons Network^™

Stream Side Science Lesson Plan: Aquatic Invasion!, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

In the exercise, students will investigate aquatic invasive species. They will choose one aquatic invasive species, investigate its distribution, life history, and possible solutions or management practices to control the species and/or its impacts.

Stream Side Science Lesson Plan: Biodiversity Debate, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

In this exercise, students will hold a debate about the construction of a dam in terms of the biological, aesthetic, ethical, social and economic arguments with regard to maintaining biodiversity. Students will be assigned different roles to argue either for or against the dam.

Stream Side Science Lesson Plan: Missing Macroinvertebrates, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

In this exercise, students will collect macroinvertebrates from a stream site, sort and identify them, and use their fi ndings to identify current and past impacts to the quality of the water. They will also make predictions of how the impacts to the water quality contributed to the localized extinction of some types of macroinvertebrates.

Stream Side Science Lesson Plan: Riparian Review, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

In this exercise, students will identify and observe biotic factors in a riparian ecosystem, which is the green strip of vegetation alongside a waterbody; they will measure the types of vegetation at the water’s edge, the function of plants as ground cover and canopy cover, and observe the wildlife in the area.

Stream Side Science Lesson Plan: Wetlands Versus Stream Macroinvertebrates, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

In this exercise, students will use their data from the activity Who Lives in the Water? or Missing Macroinvertebrates and compare it to a macroinvertebrate sample collected from a wetland site.

Stream Side Science Lesson Plan: Where’S The Water?, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

Students will use 10 liters (approximately 2.5 gallons) of water to represent all the water on the earth. They will be given the percentage for each water source in relation to the total amount, and asked to divide the 10 liters of water to demonstrate this.

Stream Side Science Lesson Plan: What’S In The Water?, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

In this exercise, students will observe and list abiotic factors in an aquatic system and measure four of them (pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and temperature).

Stream Side Science: Lesson Plans And Water Related Activities, Nancy Mesner

All Current Publications

The 12 activities in Stream Side Science bring a water focus to standards and objectives in the Utah Core Curriculum for Junior High and High School math, science and social studies courses. These hands-on activities help students learn basic concepts while exploring watershed and water quality issues.

Students’ Digital Photography Behaviors During A Multiday Environmental Science Field Trip And Their Recollections Of Photographed Science Content, Victor R. Lee

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Taking photographs to document the experiences of an educational field trip is becoming a common activity for teachers and students alike. Considering the regular creation of photographic artifacts, our goal in this paper is to explore students’ picture taking behavior and their recollections of science content associated with their photographs. In this study, we partnered with a class of fifth-grade students in the United States and provided each student with a digital camera to document their experiences during an environmental science field trip at a national park. We report the frequency of photography behaviors according to which activities were most …

Dust Mediated Transfer Of Phosphorus To Alpine Lake Ecosystems Of The Wind River Range, Wyoming, Usa, Janice Brahney, Ashley P. Ballantyne, P. Kociolek, Sarah A. Spaulding, Megan Otu, T. Porwoll, Jason C. Neff

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Alpine lakes receive a large fraction of their nutrients from atmospheric sources and are consequently sensitive to variations in both the amount and chemistry of atmospheric deposition. In this study we explored the spatial changes in lake water chemistry and biology along a gradient of dust deposition in the Wind River Range, Wyoming. Regional differences were explored using the variation in bulk deposition, lake water, sediment, and bedrock geochemistry and catchment characteristics. Dust deposition rates in the Southwestern region averaged 3.34 g m−2 year−1, approximately three times higher than deposition rates in the Northwestern region (average 1.06 g m−2 year−1). …

Utah State University Commencement, 2014 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

127^th Annual Commencement of Utah State University.

The Baker Cave Bison Remains: Bison Diminution And Late Holocene Subsistence On The Snake River Plain, Southern Idaho, Ryan P. Breslawski

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis investigates that paleoecology of southern Idaho bison and their role in prehistoric subsistence with two articles. The first article investigates the trajectory of bison diminution in southern Idaho with bison morphometrics from Baker Cave, a late Holocene archaeological site. Results indicate that local bison followed a diminution trend mirroring the diminution trend documented on the Great Plains. This suggests that similar bottom up ecosystem controls acted on bison in both the Great Plains and in southern Idaho through the Holocene.

The second article examines the role of bison in seasonal subsistence strategies. I hypothesize that winter fat scarcity …

Old Roots: Place-Making And Hybrid Landscapes Of Refugee Urban Farmers, Missy Ward-Lambert

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research project was designed to analyze the relevance of place and the physical environment to the adjustment processes of refugees. This dissertation contains the results of qualitative research with a group of 30 refugee urban farmers living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Seventeen of these individuals—from Burundi, Sudan, Bhutan, the Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Cuba—participated in interviews and a photography project focused on their experiences with agriculture in their home countries and since their arrival in Utah. The results of the research show the connection between the refugees’ work as farmers and their …

Channel Adjustment And Channel-Floodplain Sediment Exchange In The Root River, Southeastern Minnesota, Michael A. Souffront Alcántara

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A better understanding of transport and deposition of fine sediment in alluvial rivers, including their floodplains, is essential for improved understanding of sediment budgets and prediction of river morphological changes. Previous work in the Root River indicates that channel-floodplain sediment exchange exerts strong control on the sediment flux of this system. In addition, improvements in agricultural practices and increases in high and low flows during the past five decades have led us to believe that sediment sources in the Root River may be shifting from uplands to near-channel sources. This thesis estimated the total amount of fine sediment contributed to …

An Evaluation Of The Relative Performance Of Diploid Versus Triploid Brook Trout With Consideration Of The Influence Of Lake Characteristics, Andy Dean

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Brook trout are native to the east and Midwestern United States. Brook trout have become a popular sport fish in the western United States and are currently widely stocked to provide sport fishing opportunities throughout the west. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) regularly stocks brook trout into high mountain lakes in the Uinta Mountains to provide one of these popular fisheries. Stocking non-natives to high mountain lakes can cause competition with native species for food and habitat resources and provides source populations for dispersal of non-natives downstream. Triploid (sterile) fish may provide an opportunity to stock non-native fish …

Analysis Of Building Resiliency In An Ethiopian Pastoral System: Mitigating The Effects Of Population And Climate Change On Food Insecurity, Brigham Forrest

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Worldwide expenditures on international development in the form of assistance or “aid” have continued to increase as developed countries look to both help and influence developing countries. In 2011, more than $140 billion in development aid was distributed globally, more than double the amount expended for international development aid in 2003. Many of the countries that are in need of aid have governments that do not have the resources, the experience, political stability, or well-functioning institutions to effect long-term structural change to bring their people out of poverty.

Ethiopia is a country receiving large amounts of development aid, and one …

Connecting To The Community: Service-Learning Methods In An Esl Classroom, Chelsey Sara Funk

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

High school English as a Second Language (ESL) students often feel separated from their schools and communities. These feelings of separation can lead to low engagement and low achievement despite the students' desire to do well in school. One method used to counter low engagement in mainstream classes is service learning, but there is little research on service learning with ESL students. In this study, an existing group of 9th grade ESL students was taught and observed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of using service-learning methods. The project endeavored to tie academic work to community involvement and therefore increase …

Internship At Metalwest As A Market Researcher, Jolynn Marie Carr

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

I was accepted and worked as an intern for the company Metalwest. (They have since merged with another company and are now called O'Neal Industries.) My internship title was Market Researcher. As a market researcher, I was in charge of discovering vital information for future growth of the company. I participated in research in order to expand Metalwest's business into government agencies as well as discover possible customers outside of the government. I researched using the internet, books, and phone calls.

Ogden Valley Development Analysis And Plan, Alex Daines, Cooper Larsen, Nate Naegle, Chris Ransom

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

A team of four Huntsman Scholars undertook an intensive, semester-long project, analyzing how the Ogden Valley Planning Commission could best ensure sustainable, wise development in its pristine Valley, preventing unwise overdevelopment down the road. The final presentation, with analysis and recommendations, was made on May 6, 2014, in Ogden before the Ogden Valley Planning Commission and members of the public. The results were praised highly by Planning Commissioner Pen Hollist.

Treasure In Heaven: Economics And Christian Monasticism In Late Antiquity, Benjamin Wade Harman

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In the 3rd century CE a new variety of Christian practice emerged to popularity that took a marked turn from traditional practice. It was an ascetic movement that led many people to deny themselves bodily pleasures, and even some to self-inflict pain. There were some who chose to live a solitary life in the desert or in caves, and others lived in monasteries or isolated on top of stone pillars. This movement encouraged individuals to sell all of their belongings and rely on others' charity, or even God's grace, to survive. While asceticism had previously existed in other cultures and …

Improving The Physical Processes And Model Integration Functionality Of An Energy Balance Model For Snow And Glacier Melt, Avirup Sen Gupta

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Hindu-Kush Himalayan region possesses a large resource of snow and ice, which acts as a freshwater reservoir for irrigation, domestic water consumption or hydroelectric power for billions of people in South Asia. Monitoring hydrologic resources in this region is challenging because of the difficulty of installing and maintaining a climate and hydrologic monitoring network, limited transportation and communication infrastructure and difficult access to glaciers. As a result of the high, rugged topographic relief, ground observations in the region are extremely sparse. Reanalysis data offer the potential to compensate for the data scarcity, which is a barrier in hydrological modeling …

Teacher Professionalism: A Study Of Professionalism For Religious Educators In The Seminary And Institutes Department Of The Church Educational System, Michael L. Cottle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This qualitative study investigated Seminary and Institute teachers’ perception of professionalism. To answer the question “What is the perception of seminary and institute teachers and leaders regarding professionalism,” a life history approach was used to explore what experiences and events shaped the participants’ view of professionalism in seminary and institutes. Findings indicated the following: (a) loyalty to the organization is a key attribute for professionalism; (b) positive associations with peers and administrators strengthen professionalism and foster a culture of unity; (c) observation and feedback are critical elements in developing professionally; (d) content mastery is a prerequisite for teachers seeking to …

An Evaluation Of Current Applications Of 3d Visualization Software In Landscape Architecture, Jie Yan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The design process is important to all landscape architects. It helps generate ideas to solve problems in an efficient amount of time and insure that all stages of a project are completed. Generally, a design process includes project acquisition, inventory and site analysis, conflicts identification, public involvement, draft products, and final presentation. Among these elements, public involvement has been recognized as one of the most important elements in the landscape design process. It not only helps professionals get projects done smoothly, but it also helps with long-term client retention. Traditional two-dimensional communication methods using renderings, design plans, and maps have …

Self-Reported Psychopathology Correlates Of Homeless Youth In Utah, Kimberlee Taylor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Homelessness among unaccompanied youth is a unique, yet pervasive, social problem. Youth often become homeless through three central pathways: conflict with family, involvement in the foster system, and involvement in juvenile justice systems. As youth experience homelessness during important developmental period(s), vulnerability to mental illness may occur if not already present. The present study examined the type and prevalence of mental illness. Characteristics of homelessness, health and mental health service utilization, and pathways to homelessness were examined in relation to the occurrence of mental illness. Findings indicated that a variety of characteristics are associated with mental illness. Mental health service …

E3: Emotions, Engagement, And Educational Digital Games, Ani Aghababyan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of educational digital games as a method of instruction for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has increased in the past decade. While these games provide successfully implemented interactive and fun interfaces, they are not designed to respond or remedy students’ negative affect towards the game dynamics or their educational content. Therefore, this exploratory study investigated the frequent patterns of student emotional and behavioral response to educational digital games.

To unveil the sequential occurrence of these affective states, students were assigned to play the game for nine class sessions. During these sessions, their affective and behavioral response was recorded …

Ceramic Technology, Women, And Settlement Patterns In Late Archaic Southwestern Idaho, Jessica A. Dougherty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research employs a sample of archaeological sites from three ecological zones to investigate the mobility strategies of hunter-gatherer groups in Late Archaic southwestern Idaho. The sample sites are organized into site types based on an independent evaluation of site components and existing site records. Ceramic assemblages at each site were analyzed to quantify the investment in ceramic technology, as a proxy for mobility. These measures were then compared to expectations generated from three proposed mobility patterns for hunter-gatherer groups in southwestern Idaho. Some of the predictions were met and these data allude to an archaeological record with a multitude …

The Role Of The Transcendent In Landscapes, Kathryn E. Sonntag

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For as long as humans have designed spaces, they have done so not just to meet basic physical needs but in quest of higher aspirations, including those spiritual and intellectual. These were spaces of contemplation, conducive to the transcendent experience, found in abundance in premodern times, and generally communal in nature. They are less prevalent now, yet there is ample evidence that the need for spaces of contemplation as well as transcendent experiences is as real as ever, despite the current lack of spaces providing such a transcendent connection. Past communal landscape design that provides for the possibility of the …

Restoring The Lost Fishery: An Environmental History Of Northern Nevada's Pyramid Lake And Lower Truckee River Fishery, David Bolingbroke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis focuses on fisheries managers’ efforts to restore native cutthroats to northern Nevada’s Pyramid Lake for recreation, and the Paiutes’ battle to preserve them as a means of livelihood. Their efforts to reconstruct the fishery revealed the implausibility of environmental restoration, but more importantly underlined the motivations necessary to attempt it.

Chapter 2 describes how the Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat— historically an important subsistence resource for Northern Paiutes— were initially exploited for profit in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and gradually destroyed as agricultural interests diverted the Truckee River’s water and industrial pollution contaminated the trout’s aquatic habitat. …

The Forgotten Fruitway: Folk Perspectives On Fruit Farming On The Providence Bench, 1940-1980, Amy C. Maxwell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As a whole, Cache Valley, Utah, residents have experienced dramatic changes in population size and economy over the last century. Providence, Utah, was once characterized by the farmers that worked the land surrounding it. The importance of agriculture has especially declined due to expanding urbanization. Despite these changes, Providence residents are aware of and celebrate their history. The purpose of this thesis is to add to the official account of local history. I attempt to capture a segment of the agricultural economy that often goes uncelebrated in current histories—fruit farming. Alongside the oft-cited sugar beet and pea production was a …

The Agricultural Economics Of Fremont Irrigation: A Case Study From South-Central Utah, Chimalis R. Kuehn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Recent identification of a Fremont irrigation feature in southern Utah provides an example from which to study costs and benefits of intensive agricultural investment by the Fremont. Studying irrigation investment informs our understanding of cultural process behind subsistence decisions, as well as of cultural complexity among the temporally and geographically diverse Fremont farmers.

Fieldwork, funded in part by Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities (URCO) Grants, included experimental canal digging with wooden stick tools and excavation of a subsurface canal feature. This study uses prehistoric canal dimensions and labor rate data to compare relative efficiencies of irrigated and dry-farmed maize. Analysis …