Digital Commons Network^™

Incorporation Of Citizen Science In Classrooms To Enrich Learning, Ryan Moellendick

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This paper explores the use of citizen science experiences as a method of enriching content in middle school and high school science classrooms. This article explores my own experiences working with the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative and the application of available citizen science experiences in the classroom in alignment with Ohio's Learning Standard's for Science.

An Insight Into Mediation Analysis, Nicholas Mccracken

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Mediation is an ideology often present in the social sciences. A mediator is meant to serve as the middle point between one party and another, taking the communications from one party and ensuring that the other party can comprehend that of the original party. Though this is very popular in social sciences, we can apply a statistical concept to it as well. We can explain the relationship between two parties and a mediator through a series of statistical equations, known as Baron and Kenny’s Equations. With these equations, we can determine how one variable is meant to impact another variable …

Predicting Heart Disease Using Machine Learning Models, Zeynep Cetin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, particularly among the elderly population. The growing availability of large-scale health data and the advancement of machine learning tools present an opportunity to create more accurate and individualized predictive models. This study utilizes a subset of the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset, focusing on individuals aged 70 and above, to explore predictive modeling using logistic regression, random forests, and XGBoost. The models were evaluated using key performance metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The findings suggest that while …

Gamegpt, Elia Albaba, Andrew Markland

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

GameGPT is a proof-of-concept project aimed to show how large language models (LLMs) can be used to enhance video games by allowing the user to have intelligent and adaptive interactions with non-playable characters (NPCs), each presenting their own personality, which adds aesthetics to the game. This was completed by using Groq Artificial Intelligence (AI) cloud-computing service to host the AI models to power the NPCs and engage with the user. Using AI to power NPC’s presents a way to lean away from traditional hard-coded and scripted dialogues, and strive towards intelligent and versatile conversations. GameGPT currently has 3 playable characters: …

University Of Akron Commuter Rideshare Service (Uacrs), Nicholas Szijarto

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

At the University of Akron, a large number of students commute to and from the campus. A majority of them use their own personal vehicles every day. I propose a web-based application that would benefit the University by offering ridesharing services for commuting students and faculty. This would be made with an Angular frontend, a Spring Boot Java backend, and a MySQL database. I would hope to allow this application to have users register and then input their schedules of travel, including starting point, destination, and the time of this transfer. The program could suggest groups of students to travel …

Automatic Scoring Cornhole Board System, Eric Diffendal, Jonah Harsh, Connor Lengel, Brett Sukie

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective is to create a self-scoring cornhole board that can detect and calculate each team's score based on the bags thrown each round and to be created at a low cost/eventually being sold at the current cost of a normal board. When playing cornhole, the game is simple: throw a bag on the board; however, the scores are variable (deduct and add) across each round. The most common issue when playing cornhole is miscalculations of the scores and forgetting the correct scores. Thus, this invention will make gameplay easy for all to play.

Skinrisk Ai, Spencer Simms

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

SkinRisk AI is an exploration of the opportunities for implementing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical technology field, specifically in the early detection of skin cancer. This project presents the design, development, and evaluation of a mobile application that allows users to capture images of skin lesions and receive a machine learning assisted risk assessment. The system combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) for image analysis with an intuitive mobile app built using Flutter, FastAPI, and Supabase to deliver real time screening.

Motivated by the rising skin cancer rates and importance of early detection, SkinRisk AI …

Embrace The Journey: Exploring Induction Experiences Of Teachers In Ohio Independent Stem Schools, Laura Sass

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The beginning years of a new teacher are a critical period. This study investigated perceptions of induction activities of new teachers in Ohio Independent STEM schools. STEM-based pedagogies such as problem-based learning and inquiry are core strategies in STEM schools but can be new for beginning teachers. Through a Q-sort, thirteen participants from three Independent STEM Schools ranked statements on a +5 to -5 scale of agreement. This along with a post-sort survey resulted in themes. Positive school culture and colleague collaboration and the impact of the mentoring were found to be the most impactful. This research aligns with literature …

Thanksgiving Prayer Walk, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Indiana Stem Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Shift From In-Person To Virtual Training During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Steve Heinold

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty to Indiana teachers in 2020. School closings caused disruptions to teachers’ classroom settings, ongoing training, and social and mental well-being (Pozo-Rico et al., 2020). Indiana GEAR UP’s commitment to teacher professional development for STEM educators led to a shift from their in-person summer teacher training sessions to virtual, just months after the school shutdowns in spring 2020. Participant evaluations showed that teachers appreciated the virtual training options and were able to learn new strategies to apply to their new virtual learning spaces. The online training sessions also had drawbacks. This research brief describes recommendations to …

Spatio-Visual Reasoning And Teamwork Through Hands-On Stem Construction Activities, Comfort Temitope Aje, Maria Eloisa C. Nuguid, Melihan Ünlü, Humphrey Chinenye Ochulor

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This study examined a STEM activity in which students in grades K-6 designed and built a model of Snoopy’s doghouse with considerations for constraints, teamwork, and iterative design. By combining spatial reasoning with imagination and visualization, students collaborated to create 3-D structures from 2-D plans, demonstrating enhanced spatial visualization and the ability to connect geometry to a tangible engineering task. The findings highlight the value of spatio-visual design activities in promoting skills like spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

The Solar Eclipse, Paige Mitchell

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

On April 8, 2024, Akron, Ohio witnessed a total eclipse. Groups around the United States captured images using a telescope for the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) initiative. I was involved in this event at the University of Akron and documented everything I did in a journal. This includes the feelings I had and things I saw. Overall, this experience has gotten me to develop skills and activities that could be used with K-12 children.

Supporting Black Math Educators: A Call To Action, Jonathan Dinkins

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Supporting Black math educators is crucial for fostering a more equitable and inclusive educational environment. Some research has shown that ongoing support from administration, various types of professional development (PD) opportunities, and mentoring equip Black math educators with the tools they need to be successful and grow with their educational pursuits (Frank et al., 2021; Moseley, 2018; Sun, 2018). This research brief will define the meaning of support for Black math educators, identify ways in which these supports can be effective, and suggest additional research necessary to continue to push the needle towards a more inclusive educational environment.

Leveraging Undergraduate Expertise For Effective Stem Instruction: Insights From A Forensic Science Teaching Partnership, Swagata Sarkar, Hui-Hui Wang, Austin R. Jenkins, Mariah K. Stollar

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Although integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction has been cited as a viable instructional approach to increasing the number of students interested and prepared to enter the STEM workforce, teacher content knowledge can be a limiting factor to effective implementation (Ejiwale, 2013). To address this limitation, college STEM majors can use their content expertise to support the development and implementation of integrated STEM experiences for K-12 students (Ferrara et al., 2018). This research brief reports on a university-high school partnership where undergraduate students in a university forensic science club created and implemented integrated STEM lessons in a local …

A Comparison Of Professional Development For Teachers Of Mathematics In Belize And The United States, David Feikes

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This paper provides a limited comparison of professional development (PD) workshops conducted in Belize and in the United States (US). Three workshops were conducted in Belize; 2019, 2022, and 2024. Multiple workshops were conducted in the US between 2021 and 2023. All workshops in Belize and the US were one week in duration and covered similar topics. Although the working conditions in the schools and workshops were different in each country, data analysis found similar teacher satisfaction and growth results.

The Aftermath Of An Earthquake: Healing Power Of Engineering For Turkish Elementary School Children, Pinar Fettahlioglu, Senay Purzer, Cagan Findikkiran

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The February 6th, 2023, earthquake significantly impacted children in Turkey, causing both physical and emotional challenges. To help students enhance their understanding of earthquakes and their impact, we have integrated engineering-based STEM activities in a 5th-grade classroom. Students designed earthquake-proof structures and tested their strength. The research involved 15 students from the earthquake-affected region of Adana. Data included a conceptual understanding scale using a single-group pre-test and post-test design. Analysis indicated that students had limited prior knowledge about the causes of and safety measures for earthquakes before the intervention. Post-test results revealed statistically significant improvements in their learning.

A Unified Rheological Parameter For Concrete: Application Of The Shear Work Index In Flowability Optimization, Wang Yao, Jihong Gao, Kunmiao Xu, Baolin Guo, Yongzhi Guo, Qinfei Li

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Adequate flowability is crucial to ensure proper homogeneity, mechanical properties, and durability of hardened concrete. A new parameter called the Shear Work Index (SWI), which combines yield stress and plastic viscosity, was recently proposed by the authors to evaluate concrete flowability. Factors that can influence SWI are analysed in this paper. Application methods of SWI are demonstrated through case studies involving the evaluation of rheology-modifying materials, the selection of the optimal manufactured sand replacement ratio in mixed sand, and the determination of concrete vibration time. The findings highlight the effectiveness of SWI as a comprehensive parameter for optimising concrete mix …

Supporting The Self-Confidence Of A Student With Mathematics Learning Disabilities Through The Engineering Design Process, Esra Yilmaz Bilir, Cetin Kursat Bilir, Danyal Soybas

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Although STEM education has been widely studied, research on its application for students with Mathematics Learning Disabilities (MLDs) remains limited. One promising approach is using an engineering design process (EDP) (Yilmaz Bilir, 2021), which promotes hands-on problem-solving and fosters cognitive and emotional growth. This study explores the self-confidence of an MLD student during the preparation stage of an EDP. The results indicate that the student’s self-confidence in STEM subjects and social communication skills improved even at the preparation stage. These findings emphasize the value of the preparation stage of an EDP and offer insights for designing effective STEM learning modules.

Stem Education In Indiana: Analyzing The Availability Of Stem-Certified Schools For Underrepresented Communities, Bryan J. Duarte

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This study examines the equity of access to STEM-certified schools in Indiana, focusing on differences in student demographics between STEM-certified and non-STEM-certified schools. The results show no statistically significant differences in the percentage of female, non-White, or lower socio-economic students between the two groups. However, significant differences were found in the percentages of Latiné/a/o/x, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Asian students, with these groups being underrepresented in STEM-certified schools compared to non-STEM-certified schools.

Boosting Computational Thinking In Integrated Stem Education With Cad, Hyeong Kyun Park, Jung Han, Yunjin Lim

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Integrated STEM education offers a powerful approach to enhancing students’ learning. By integrating science inquiry, technological literacy, engineering design, and mathematical thinking, integrated STEM fosters students’ 21st-century competencies, such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and computational thinking. Drawing from a national integrated STEM project, this research uses a classroom case study to investigate the integration of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing into a STEM learning activity. It examines the use of mathematical computation to determine the best solution for a prototype that meet functional criteria. This research highlights how introducing CAD instruction enhances computational thinking within a conceptual framework …

The Power Of Our Words: Imperatives And Personal Pronouns In Written And Enacted Mathematics Curriculum, Amanda Huffman Hayes

Indiana STEM Education Conference

As teachers, our use of imperatives (e.g., find, explain) and personal pronouns (e.g., you, we, I) contribute to our students’ learning and the roles they take in class. Using an ethnographic case study design, I explored the language of the written and enacted curriculum in a fundamental algebra course. My analysis revealed the power of language in the relationship between the authors and readers and the teacher and students. Providing students with a share in authority can increase their engagement.

In-Situ Tests Of Transport Properties Of Near-Surface Concrete, Kai Yang, P.A. Muhammed Basheer, Fengyuan Yang, Da Xia, Basilios Tsikouras

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Determining the water permeability of concrete in structures remains a conundrum because of difficulties in removing the influences of moisture. This study describes the extended flow-net theory developed on the basis of the two-pressure head concept, which provides a means of measuring permeability under the partially saturated condition. Surface mounted tests and the standard laboratory water penetration tests were carried out to verify this approach. Before determining the water permeability, steady state flow rates at two different pressure levels were evaluated and the effects of initial moisture conditions on flow behaviour were investigated. The results indicate that the proposed approach …

Connecting Worlds: Travelmate’S Bidding System For Personalized Travel Experiences, Suman Khadka

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

TravelMate is a web platform that connects travelers with local guides through a personalized trip posting system along with real time bidding from freelancer guides. This platform utilizes Next.js for a responsive frontend, and Supabase for managing database and backend RESTful API, using PostgREST - a thin API layer on top of Postgres. This platform is ideal for anyone looking to explore new places with a freelancer guide and gain cultural insights from a local expert who understands the place deeply.

Autonomous Landscape Exploration Rover Using Imaging Surface Navigation (Alexis), Noah Jones, Dominic Salupo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective is to develop a small-form-factor rover prototype that can be used to prove out a novel traversal method for use on extraterrestrial surfaces. The novel traversal method being proposed is LIDAR/CV-enhanced navigation, provided by a detachable flight vehicle that can communicate with the rover. On planets with thin atmospheres, cold gas thrusters or similar may be needed, but for the scope of this project more traditional flight/propulsion methods will be used.

Comsol Simulation Of Pipeline Corrosion With Cathodic Protection, Ethan Scalzo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Cathodic protection (CP) is a widely used technique to mitigate corrosion in buried steel pipelines. This study uses COMSOL Multiphysics to model and analyze the performance of both sacrificial anode and impressed current systems in a simulated 3D environment. The model solves for pipeline potential, current density, and corrosion rate within a surrounding soil domain to assess protection coverage across the pipeline. Simulations were conducted to evaluate the influence of electrode and electrolyte properties on CP effectiveness. The study demonstrates that COMSOL Multiphysics is an effective tool for modeling CP systems, offering insights that align with established industry practices. While …

Silent Sabotage: Identifying And Preventing Cyber Attacks From Inside Actors, Autumn Groen

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly common and damaging as technology advances each year. Many businesses cannot afford the latest security technologies, and even with the highest security measures, there can still be room for employee error or insider threats that are not taken into account. It is crucial to keep these factors in mind when securing a business network of any size or financial standing.This project will aim to simulate a business environment by first building a small network with three routers and a switch, and implementing some of the common best practices for network hardening from credible organizations like NIST …

Analyzing Car Theft Trends In Central Texas: A Comparative Study Of Waco, College Station, And Killeen, Daniel Njogu

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This study examines motor vehicle theft (MVT) trends from 2019 to 2023 in three Central Texas cities—Waco, College Station, and Killeen—using temporal analysis, geospatial hotspot mapping, and make/model data. In Killeen, thefts generally rose over the period, with notable peaks in October and on Mondays. College Station saw an overall decline in thefts but experienced a seasonal spike each March, and Waco’s thefts increased until around 2021 before beginning to fall. Local festivals—such as the Spirit of Texas in College Station and the Heart O’ Texas Fair in Waco—appear to coincide with these seasonal upticks. Hyundais and Kias were most …

Synthesis Of Noval Hydroxy Chalcone And Study Of Fluorescent Properties, Margaret Hilliker

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Chalcones are a class of naturally occurring compounds found in plants, which have a general structure of Ar–CO–CH=CH–Ar’. They have shown significant potential as tunable organic fluorophores due to their extended π-conjugation and structural simplicity. In this study, a 2-hydroxy-substituted chalcone featuring a terminal dimethylamino group was synthesized via a pyrrolidine-catalyzed aldol condensation and characterized for its photophysical properties. The electron-donating and -accepting ends of the molecule establish an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) pathway, while the hydroxyl group enables excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), leading to complex emission behavior. Room temperature fluorescence analysis revealed broad, featureless emission, while low-temperature …

Structural Analysis And Design Methodologies Of Roller Coasters, Benjamin Komar

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project explores the structural analysis behind the design of roller coaster tracks and supports as practiced by modern engineers. It also examines various roller coaster design methods currently in use. This research will be used to craft a detailed explanation of the roller coaster design process. Additionally, a 3D model of a roller coaster was developed based on the researched design procedures, featuring three track sections with different loading conditions to create a supporting structure for 2D truss analysis. The results of the truss analysis were then compared to those obtained using RISA-3D, a finite element structural design software.

User Interface For Custom Car Infotainment Systems, Dylan Miller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The infotainment system is often considered one of the most functional and luxurious aspects of modern cars, containing functions that are useful to drivers in ways that range from convenient to safety-enhancing. However, modern infotainment systems can have some drawbacks such as making it more difficult to repair the vehicles they are in, helping to artificially limit the lifespan of the vehicles they are in, and not being present in most vehicles more than 15 years old. The software described in this paper, OpenQarUI, seeks to be a part of a solution to these problems. It is a piece of …