Digital Commons Network^™

Stem Integration In The Classroom: An Exploratory Case-Study On Teachers Defining Their Stem Identity And Role As A Stem Educator, Tawana Guillaume

Theses and Dissertations

The push for inclusion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a meta-discipline in K-12 education is recognition that the challenges faced by society require technology skills, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and an increased number of people entering STEM professions (Dare et al., 2014; English, 2016; Fan et al., 2021; Holstein & Keene, 2013; Roehrig et al., 2012, 2021; Sanders, 2008). The dissertation in practice explored STEM teacher identity and conceptions of STEM as a function of STEM professional experience outside of the field of education. The exploratory casestudy sought to identify the relationship between STEM career-based experiences – specifically the …

​​​How Do Working Conditions Effect Teacher Job Satisfaction And Intention To Stay: Retaining Special Education Teachers​, Alyssa Michelle Raygoza

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher retention remains a leading area of focus in the United States. Recent research efforts have examined the effects of specific work-related experiences on teacher retention. In comparison to teaching in a general education classroom, special education teachers often face increased levels of job demands that can influence the ways in which existing resources may or may not balance out such challenges. The study is grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, a theoretical framework that has been used widely in both occupational and, more recently, educational research focusing on the specific demands and resources situated within teacher working conditions. …

The Impact Of Incorporating Crp And Growth Mindset Into The Learning Environment For Increasing Student Enrollment In Advanced Mathematics Courses, Srinivas Akella

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study explored the impact of incorporating Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (CRP), goal setting, and growth mindset strategies into the learning environment of an advanced mathematics course. The overall goal was to increase enrollment of underrepresented student groups in advanced mathematics courses at a small rural high school in Georgia. The problem of practice addressed in this study is the underrepresentation of African American students in advanced-level mathematics courses, such as Precalculus and Calculus, due to structural, cultural, and psychological barriers. Despite the importance of advanced mathematics for college readiness and access to STEM careers, students from underserved …

Enhancing Teacher Self-Efficacy In Ngss Storyline Implementation: A Mixed Methods Action Research Study On Professional Development In Middle School Science Education, Dena Spickard Fender

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study examined how professional development (PD) influences middle school science teachers’ self-efficacy in implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Storyline curriculum. The study also explored which aspects of PD are most effective in supporting teachers at different career stages. Teacher self-efficacy is a critical factor in the successful adoption of reform-based science instruction, yet limited research has investigated how PD can be differentiated to address the needs of novice, intermediate, and veteran educators in underperforming schools.

A convergent mixed-methods design was employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument-A …

Exploring Student Perceptions Of Culture Within An Algebra Unit: A Qualitative Action Research Study, Alesha Marie Love

Theses and Dissertations

Many barriers exist when teaching and learning mathematics. Although the mathematics curriculum is rigid and rigorous by design it is often not culturally relevant for the students engaging with the content. As a result, many students of color do not have an appropriate amount of representation to connect to a subject area that already seems exclusionary. This qualitative action research study examines the effects of introducing culturally relevant references into an Algebra unit for students of color, exploring the influence of exposure to cultural references and the minimal display of cultural and racial identities within the mathematics curriculum on students …

Anthropomorphism In Language And Thought: The Effect Of Agentive Linguistic Framing On Readers’ Perceptions Of Ai Animacy, Dawson Petersen

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, deep learning AI systems have gone from academic obscurity to near cultural centrality in the developed world. As these technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life, there is growing cause for concern about AI anthropomorphism—i.e., the perception of AIs as more human than they really are. Despite the potential risks, AI developers continue to market their technologies using agentive language that seems to be designed to encourage anthropomorphism. The current dissertation utilizes behavioral and eye-tracking methods to examine the relationship between agentive linguistic framing and AI anthropomorphism in both controlled judgments and automatic inferences. The results …

Investigation Of Metals And Incidental Nanomaterials In Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Ashes And Their Impacts On Marine Phytoplankton, Talal Abdullah Alshehri

Theses and Dissertations

Wildfires are natural processes that have played a vital role in ecosystems for millions of years. However, with increasing anthropogenic activities and climate change, wildfires' frequency and intensity have increased. A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that burns forests, grasses, and savannas. In addition to vegetation combustible materials, wildfire burn structure items such as homes, stores, and storage sheds in areas where the transition zone between urban and wildland is defined as the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Moreover, wildfires in WUI can burn vehicles, including automobiles, tractors, and boats on trails. Recently, there have been concerns regarding the metals, metalloids, and …

Thesis: Comparing Functional And Effective Brain Connectivity Metrics For Eeg, Diksha Srishyla

Theses and Dissertations

Background:Brain connectivity measures have been used to study communication between brain regions using electroencephalography (EEG). Functional and effective connectivity estimate the synchronization and the flow of information between regions, respectively. However, findings from studies using different measures to investigate similar connections do not converge. To guide the selection of functional and effective connectivity measures in future studies, we systematically compared a set of measures in the context of resting state EEG. We examined four functional connectivity metrics (coherence (Coh), the imaginary part of coherence (imCoh), the corrected imaginary part of phase lagged value (ciPLV), the debiased weighted phase-locking index (dwPLI)) …

Gut Microbiome Dynamics In Heart Failure And The Therapeutic Potential Of Nmeg-Cgrp, Kamryn Michael Gleason

Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure (HF) is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disease often linked to gut dysbiosis; however, its specific effects on gut microbial composition remain poorly understood. This study examined long-term changes in the gut microbiome in a murine HF model induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and evaluated the effects of NMEG-CGRP. TAC mimics pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction, replicating key features of HF. CGRP, a neuropeptide with vasodilatory and cardioprotective effects, shows potential as a therapy for HF but is limited by rapid degradation. A stabilized analog, NMEG-CGRP, was used to assess its impact on cardiac and gastrointestinal health. Mice …

Towards Accurate First-Principles Modeling In Heterogenous Catalysis: Ethane Dehydrogenation And Hydrogenolysis Over Pt Catalysts, Mubarak Ayo Bello

Theses and Dissertations

First-principles modeling has become central to heterogeneous catalysis research, offering mechanistic insight and guiding catalyst design, yet conventional approaches often struggle to accurately describe complex catalytic systems due to methodological uncertainties, simplified assumptions, and the structural diversity of nanoparticle catalysts. This dissertation addresses these challenges using ethane dehydrogenation (EDH) and hydrogenolysis (EH) over platinum catalysts as model systems. The first study benchmarks density functional theory (DFT) functionals against the random phase approximation (RPA) for the EDH network on Pt(111), identifying cost-effective functionals and demonstrating the efficiency of BEEF-vdW ensembles for capturing functional uncertainty. The second study (addressed in prior work) …

Towards Accurate First-Principles Modeling In Heterogenous Catalysis: Ethane Dehydrogenation And Hydrogenolysis Over Pt Catalysts, Mubarak Ayo Bello

Theses and Dissertations

First-principles modeling has become central to heterogeneous catalysis research, offering mechanistic insight and guiding catalyst design, yet conventional approaches often struggle to accurately describe complex catalytic systems due to methodological uncertainties, simplified assumptions, and the structural diversity of nanoparticle catalysts. This dissertation addresses these challenges using ethane dehydrogenation (EDH) and hydrogenolysis (EH) over platinum catalysts as model systems. The first study benchmarks density functional theory (DFT) functionals against the random phase approximation (RPA) for the EDH network on Pt(111), identifying cost-effective functionals and demonstrating the efficiency of BEEF-vdW ensembles for capturing functional uncertainty. The second study (addressed in prior work) …

A Building Block Approach To Certification By Analysis Applied To A Ditching Analysis, Preliminary Studies, Sean Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Extended Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS) certification ensures safe trans-oceanic operation of transport category aircraft. A critical aspect of ETOPS certification is compliance with ditching regulations. The importance of ditching analysis has grown significantly and come under greater scrutiny because of the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ incident. For transport category aircraft certified under 14 CFR 25 regulations, compliance with ditching requirements, rests on two major components. First, demonstrating acceptable aircraft dynamic behavior during the ditching event and second, ensuring the airframe can withstand the loads generated because of water impact.

Historically, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) relied on comparisons to existing aircraft with …

Development Of A Strategy To Neutralize Ccl8 Activity And Ablate Ccl8 Cellular Targets, Bernardo Chavez

Theses and Dissertations

The chemokine CCL8 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-2) is a versatile signaling molecule involved in tumor progression, immune cell recruitment, and therapeutic resistance. Through activation of receptors including CCR1, CCR2B, and CCR5, CCL8 promotes leukocyte trafficking, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and the establishment of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. In breast cancer and inflammatory diseases, elevated CCL8 levels correlate with poor clinical outcomes, making it a promising therapeutic target.

A strategy was developed to block CCL8 activity and selectively ablate CCL8 receptor expressing cells. A neutralizing monoclonal antibody, 1G3E5, was identified from a panel of murine candidates based on high affinity CCL8 binding. Sequencing revealed two …

Machine-Learning-Assisted Discovery Of Lattice Dynamics Signatures Of Sodium Superionic Conductors, Ogheneyoma Maxwell Aghoghovbia

Theses and Dissertations

Sodium superionic conductors are key to the development of all-solid-state sodium batteries. Discovery of new superionic conductors has traditionally relied on insights from material defect chemistry and the transition/hopping theory, while the role of lattice vibrations, i.e., phonons, remains underexplored. We identify key lattice dynamics signatures that govern ionic conductivity by analyzing the phonon mean squared displacement (MSD) of Na⁺ ions. By high-throughput screening of a dataset of 3903 Na-containing structures, we establish a strong positive correlation between phonon MSD and diffusion coefficients, providing a quantitative correlation between lattice dynamics and ion transport. To accelerate this discovery, we incorporate …

Spectral Modeling Of Electromagnetic Radiation From Power Converters, Regan A. Varner

Theses and Dissertations

Switching power converters are increasingly utilized in contemporary electronics. They are becoming more compact and operate at higher frequencies, which contributes to radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI). This EMI is important to quantify for electromagnetic compatibility of the converters with other nearby systems. In this thesis, analytical models have been developed for both ideal and non-ideal switching waveforms, employing piecewise functions to describe time-domain waveforms, with their corresponding frequency spectra derived and compared to empirical spectra. The results demonstrate that the comparisons with measured frequency data exhibit agreement with the analytical models up to approximately 25 MHz. Additionally, our analysis indicates …

Towards Robust Bmocz Schemes For Non-Coherent Wireless Communication, Anthony Joseph Perre

Theses and Dissertations

Non-coherent communication has emerged as a promising approach to address several challenges at the physical layer. A particular scheme called binary modulation on conjugate-reciprocal zeros (BMOCZ) uses the zeros (i.e, roots) of a polynomial to convey information bits. In this thesis, we strive to improve the reliability of BMOCZ in various scenarios. In particular, we utilize machine learning (ML) methods to determine the parameters for BMOCZ and improve upon the decoding performance. Moreover, we introduce a smooshed BMOCZ variant to combat typical impairments encountered within wireless communications, including timing offsets (TOs) for noncoherent orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). Through numerical …

A Qualitative Study Of Middle School Teachers’ Experiences Integrating Computer Coding Into Mathematics Classrooms, George William Austin Iii

Theses and Dissertations

As computers become more accessible in schools nationwide, teachers are embracing them to impact achievement positively (Brudno, 2013; Cetin, 2016). As a result, computer coding instruction has gained attention as a strategy for providing students with skills that will serve them both pre and post-graduation (Burke & Kafai, 2013; Yadav et al., 2016; Ng, 2017). Computer coding is the process of providing instructions for a computer to follow. In 2017, the South Carolina State Board of Education approved Computer Science and Digital Literacy standards for all K-8 public schools in the state of South Carolina (South Carolina Department of Education, …

Enhancing Two-Phase Heat Spreading: Development And Performance Evaluation Of Hermetically Sealed Hybrid Heat Sinks, Walker Ryan Champion

Theses and Dissertations

Modern, high-performance technology presents challenges for thermal management based on power density. To cool heat fluxes to this degree, conventional liquid-cooled heat sinks are utilized because air cooling becomes insufficient (>100 𝑊/𝑐𝑚² ). This study introduces a hybrid heat sink that integrates liquid cooling with a dropwise-enhanced vapor chamber, contains a hermetic seal, and achieves high thermal performance with low energy consumption. The temperature hotspots, thermal resistances, gravitational/pin effects, temperature uniformity, and coefficient of performance were investigated. Experimental results demonstrate a high cooling capacity of 600 W over a 6.25 𝑐𝑚² heating area with a low cooling …

Performance Limiting Factors For Silicon Anodes In Lithium-Ion Batteries, Najmaddin Bashirzada

Theses and Dissertations

The rising global demand for high-performance and sustainable energy storage solutions has placed lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at the forefront of technological progress. However, the energy density limits of traditional graphite anodes require the investigation of alternative materials. Silicon (Si), with its high theoretical capacity, is a promising anode material. Still, its practical use faces major challenges such as volumetric expansion, unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, and low conductivity. This thesis examines the electrochemical behavior and limitations of Si-based electrodes using coin cells and ex-situ three-electrode cells. A comparison of electrochemical testing methods – i.e., Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT) …

Parent Perspectives On Contemporary Adolescent Concerns, Allyson Worthy

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is a critical developmental period that marks the transition between childhood and adulthood. Psychopathology is known to emerge during this time, in which many internalizing and externalizing disorders have their onset. The assessment of adolescent psychopathology involves use of questionnaire measures to obtain perspectives from the adolescent themselves, their parents, and their teachers. Parents have been found to be especially important informants of adolescent functioning. With new challenges that arise for present-day adolescents (e.g., social media use), parents can provide insight into the different areas that need to be evaluated when assessing domains of contemporary adolescents’ development and psychopathology. …

Investigating The Influence Of Instructional Strategies On The Development Of Procedural And Conceptual Knowledge In Advanced Algebra Ii Students, Maura Frances Yinger

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods action research study investigated the influence of instructional strategies shown to improve students’ procedural and conceptual understanding in a rational expressions and equations unit in Advanced Algebra II. The instructional strategies used in the study include comparing, self-explaining, and exploring before instruction. The students (N=27) completed a pre-test and a post-test, both of which were followed by questions asking students to justify their responses on two questions. All students also responded to six digital self-explanation journal prompts. Randomly selected students were placed into three homogenous groups to participate in performance task observations. Analysis of the data …

Journey To Proficiency: The Impact Of Explicit Problem-Solving Instruction In A Fifth-Grade Math Classroom, Brittany J. Terry

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examined the impact of explicit problem-solving instruction on fifth-grade students’ mathematics proficiency and attitudes across skill levels. At the outset, students relied on rote procedures rather than conceptual reasoning, limiting their ability to apply skills in new contexts or understand why procedures work. Grounded in constructivist and sociocultural learning theories, the study aimed to move students beyond procedural fluency through explicit instruction of problem-solving strategies, modeling, guided practice, collaboration, and reflection. Over 8 weeks, 32 students participated in daily lessons. Findings from pre–post assessments, interviews, and portfolios indicate that explicit problem-solving instruction supported measurable growth in …

The Role Of Language Ideologies In Saudi Elementary English Education: Efl Teacher’S Perspectives And Experiences, Ghanem Saad S Alghuwainem

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how Saudi elementary English teachers understand and enact language ideologies in a period of rapid educational change and national reform. Using a comparative case study of five teachers in Al-Ahsa, the study triangulates semi-structured interviews, classroom audio recordings, and teaching materials to compare stated beliefs with observable practice. The analysis is guided by the theories of English hegemony and language and gender ideology, which together illuminate how global linguistic hierarchies are localized through teachers’ beliefs and practices. Findings reveal that teachers occupy an ideologically complex position as they balance the national push for English proficiency under Vision …

Integrity On The Line: An Action Research Investigation Into Cheating Behaviors Among Honors Students, Latasha Arda Smart

Theses and Dissertations

Academic dishonesty remains a persistent issue in education, undermining both learning and institutional integrity. While it has been extensively researched in general contexts, little is known about its occurrence in high-achieving settings such as honors classes, where students are frequently under increased performance pressure. This action research study investigated the prevalence, causes, and consequences of cheating behaviors among honors students at a rural high school.

The study centered on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior, Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, and Merton's Strain Theory. Data were collected using a qualitative case study design, which included semi-structured interviews with students, teachers, and administrators, …

Inspiring Girls To Fill The Blank Space In Stem: The Impact Of An After-School Coding And Robotics Club On Elementary Female Students' Engagement And Self-Efficacy In Computer Science, Lisa Guenther Wilbanks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research was to describe how participation in an after-school coding and robotics program influenced elementary female students’ engagement and self-efficacy in computer science. According to a 2023 report from the National Science Foundation, in 2020 women earned only 21% of computer science degrees and 24% of engineering undergraduate degrees in the United States. As two of the fastest growing fields, the lack of female perspectives and experiences will continue to limit innovation in these areas. Studies show that gender gaps in engagement and self-efficacy in STEM begin long before students enter college and the workforce, …

Rethinking Gifted Education: An Improvement Science Study On Differentiation And Academic Growth, Mabra Herlong Wayman

Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice addresses the problem of inconsistent academic growth among gifted and talented (GT) students in grades 3–5 at Riverview Elementary, where local STAR data show a persistent pattern of GT students falling into the Low Growth, High Proficiency category. Using improvement science as a framework, the study employed empathy interviews, a fishbone analysis, and a driver diagram to identify root causes and guide the development of a professional development (PD) intervention. The PD focused on building teacher capacity for differentiation through high-impact strategies such as problem-based learning, acceleration, independent study, curriculum compacting, and flexible grouping. The intervention …

Food Insecurity And Social Connection Of Nicaraguan Refugees And Asylum Seekers In Costa Rica: A Qualitative Study, Keren Herran

Theses and Dissertations

Background

Given the physical and mental health consequences of food insecurity, solutions should be evidence-based and seek to prioritize vulnerable populations. This qualitative study adds to limited literature on how refugees and asylum seekers use their social connections to mitigate food insecurity by investigating how Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers in Costa Rica foster social connections and use these connections to acquire and manage food.

Methods

In fall 2024, 35 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in San José, Costa Rica. Participants were recruited through six migrant-serving nonprofit organizations. For study inclusion, participants had to: 1) be 18 or older; 2) …

Influence Of Channel Geometry And Inflow Hydrograph On Hydraulics And Air Volume Around Shafts Of A Stormwater Main, Lylie Vindie Wilkie

Theses and Dissertations

Stormwater management in urban areas is complex, in part because of difficulties related to modeling water flowing in closed conduits, as well as to controlling odor, noise, and pipe corrosion. This thesis summarizes the main findings of a study on how changes in inflow discharge and the geometry of a stormwater main may affect water flow, and how changes in water depth impact air volume and pressure around an air shaft. The study is conducted using CHAN, a one-dimensional model that simulates both flow hydraulics in mains and associated changes in air volume and pressure around air shafts. Main difference …

Ai-Driven Autonomous Manufacturing: A Novel Taxonomy, Vision-Guided Planning, And Diversity-Aware Active Learning Frameworks, Ibrahim Yousif

Theses and Dissertations

Manufacturers face two opposing challenges: the escalating demand for customized products and the pressure to reduce lead times. Current manufacturing equipment, although reliable, operates at the limits of its technology and lacks adaptability to dynamic environments. This trade-off has been described as the optimal degree of automation, a threshold beyond which further automation incurs more cost than benefit. Smart manufacturing has introduced adaptive, data-driven systems, but many deployments still lack the contextual adaptability and autonomous decision-making required to handle unplanned disruptions. This underscores the need for intelligent, autonomous systems capable of real-time adaptation without costly reconfiguration, minimizing human intervention during …

Multiscale Geometric Analysis In Endovascular Therapies: Ex Vivo, In Silico Approaches, Dima Hussein Ali Bani Hani

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, we address a persistent global challenge of vascular disease, specifically peripheral artery disease (PAD), and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) complications in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The important role of vascular geometry in disease intervention plans and the development of endovascular therapeutic strategies (e.g., Drug-coated balloon (DCBs)) is critical in addressing these challenges.

This study evaluates the feasibility of co-delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) and valsartan (VAL) using urea-based coatings in DCB, analyzes the coating morphology and microstructural changes to improve therapeutic results. A computational finite element model was developed to complement experimental work, simulate tissue-coating interactions, compute …