Digital Commons Network^™

Mexican Food Vs Chicano Food, Andrew Mccann, Jonathan Mitchell Bagley

Student Research Symposium

The challenging and windy road that was the mixture of american and mexican cultures created many ripples in the history books. Families finding themselves in new countries by ways of war, land grabs, and danger continued to do what the Mexican culture does best; proper against all odds. The identity collaboration of mexican families in american cultures is none more apparent in one of the world's favorite foods. The challenge we face today, is whether to go for seconds.

Impact Of Language Barriers On Healthcare Outcomes, Kaylie Sharp, Abigail Stanger

Student Research Symposium

Thousands of immigrants of varying linguistic and national origin live in the United States today. They need the same quality medical care as natural-born citizens of the U.S., and yet, many of these people experience great discomfort obtaining medical help due to language barriers and the issues that they can create.

Native Spanish speakers present the highest minority in the United States and Utah. Despite the many resources available to them, Spanish speakers often are faced with linguistic barriers that diminish the quality of care they and their families receive in healthcare across Utah.

Beaver Fever: An Oral History Of Beaver Mountain Resort, Mia Shumway, Drake Hansen, Rory Olsen, Melanie Kimball

Student Research Symposium

Research Question: What does Beaver Mountain mean to the people of Cache Valley?

Beyond Words: Legibility, Readability, And The Subtle Art Of Type Persona A Comprehensive Exploration Of Typographic Pairing And Its Impact On Communication, Sadie Stewart

Student Research Symposium

In graphic design, understanding the elements and parts of a letter is essential for creating well-crafted typography. Each letter compromises various components, including the stem, bowl or counter space, ascender, descender, serif (in serif typefaces), and terminal. The stem forms the main vertical stroke of a letter. Counters are the negative spaces within letters like ‘o’ or ‘e’. Ascenders extend above the x-height, while descenders drop below the baseline. Serifs are the decorative strokes at the ends of certain letterforms, adding visual interest and aiding readability. Terminals mark the end of strokes, contributing to the overall aesthetic and style of …

Designing Graphic Props For Movies: Retro Methodology In A Digital Age, Mckenna Sprouse

Student Research Symposium

Subject Movie: The Irishman

After-School Care Centers, Annalise Vasquez

Student Research Symposium

The current educational landscape highlights significant disparities in funding, with schools in predominantly Black or Hispanic areas receiving less funding compared to those in predominantly White areas, largely due to disparities in property tax revenue. Biased appraisals and devaluations of homes in Black neighborhoods further exacerbate this issue. This lack of funding leads to fewer resources for Black youth, increasing their likelihood of economic struggles and involvement in the criminal justice system, perpetuating a cycle of inequity. To address these challenges, many states are focusing on legislation to secure and increase funding for afterschool programs. Efforts include allocating state resources, …

Machine Learning Based Control Of Digital Throttle For Impulse Design In Hybrid Rockets, Eric Larsen

Student Research Symposium

Research Goals

• Develop a Hybrid Rocket model to generate expected thrust profiles given a CD profile
• Create a ML method to generate expected Thrust profiles given an Injector CD Profile
• Develop a method to then generate CD profiles from a desired Thrust profile of a motor

Creating Sensory Poetry: An Accessible Exhibit And Workshops, Basil Payne

Student Research Symposium

This is an 2023-2024 URCO project that originally began as a 2023 summer Peak Fellowship project. In summer 2023, I researched 19th-century Utah herbaria specimens to create my own botanically-influenced poetry and art. In fall, I received an URCO grant with the Impact Initiative to create a sensory-friendly art exhibit that would be accessible to people with sensory sensitivities. In addition, I planned to offer two workshops to members of the community with disabilities. From February 12-16, 2024, I displayed my sensory-friendly poetry and art in USU’s Projects Gallery and hosted two accessible workshops for people of all abilities.

Wild, Wild Wyoming: Youth Sport Leaders' Perspectives On Challenges And Opportunities For Youth Sport Participation, Daxon Toone

Student Research Symposium

• Leaders in Wyoming navigate various challenges and contextual factors that shape participation.
• This study focuses on the perspectives of youth sport leaders in the state of Wyoming to better understand how leaders perceive challenges and opportunities to shape youth sport participation.

Exploring Nitrogen Uptake Dynamics Of Wetland Plants In Floating Treatment Wetlands, Saroj Burlakoti

Student Research Symposium

• Nitrogen (N) is major plant nutrient that limit plant growth and are often over used aiming to improve plant growth and quality.
• Generally, only 2-10% of applied N is taken up by crops. Excess N can move into water and air impacting biodiversity, human health, air, and water quality (Fields, 2004; Sengupta et al., 2015).
• U.S. EPA has imposed regulations limiting the discharge of water containing nitrate-nitrogen concentrations exceeding 10 mg/L or 45 mg/L when expressed as (NO₃-) (U.S.EPA, 1986).
• Increasing demand for fertilizers – high cost
• Excess use – effect on ground and surface water quality
• Leachate …

Snac Patrons' Typical Use And Overall Evaluation Of Services, Joy Bruneel, Melody Loutzenhiser

Student Research Symposium

Food insecurity among students in higher education programs is a relatively new area of research with the first study being published only 14 years ago.¹ Over the years, the costs associated with higher education have steadily increased leading to more financial burdens for students than ever before. According to the 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, over 4 million students nationwide struggle with food insecurity.²

While the incidence of food insecurity among students is increasing, many students are not taking advantage of community and university resources aimed at targeting this issue on college campuses.³ In a study …

Narcissism Online: The Impact Of Psychology Misinformation On Social Media, Alana Haupert

Student Research Symposium

a. Instagram and Tiktok have provided a platform for information to be received in bulk quantities. This has produced mixed results as this has affected psychology positively and negatively.

• Climate Change
• Covid Vaccines (Rousseau, 2021)
• Science deniers (Hyperskepticism)

b. In this presentation, I argue that Danish Bashir, an Instagram “Narcissist Abuse Recovery Coach,” uses Aristotelian appeals to establish himself as an expert and then overgeneralizes/overdiagnoses to gain more followers for a disorder that impacts only 6% of population (Stinson et. al, 2008).

c. To do so, I am analyzing Danish Bashir’s Instagram account with 474k followers and his reels for …

Response Adjustments In Math Anxiety: A Comparative Analysis Of Post-Error Speeding And Slowing, Leyla Karami, Tori Dehlin

Student Research Symposium

• Math anxiety is a worry or fear that occurs when people try to solve math problems, take tests, or even think about numbers” _{(Weir, 2023)}.
• Individuals with math anxiety avoid taking math courses or selecting math-related majors; Global Avoidance Effect _{(Suárez-Pellicioni et al., 2016)}.
• They show a tendency to complete the math task as soon as possible to leave the uncomfortable situation of math problem solving; Local Avoidance Effect _{(Suárez-Pellicioni et al., 2016)}.
• They are slower & more error-prone in math tasks _{(Núñez-Peña et al., 2017; 2024)}.

Solar Factors Influence High Frequency (Hf) Radio Propagation, Jayson Wiggins

Student Research Symposium

Although it has been around for over 100 years, high frequency (HF) radio is here to stay.

HF radio is in the range from 3-30 MHz, and is used by amateur radio enthusiasts, commercial airlines, and the Department of Defense.

Communication over greater distances than other methods is possible due to skywave propagation, a process in which radio waves are reflected by the lower regions of the ionosphere. This means changes in the ionosphere have important effects on propagation.

Lingering Effects Of Redlining On Secondary Education In Waterloo, Iowa, Emily Brennom

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

The Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) of the federal government implemented the racially discriminatory housing policy known as "redlining" in the 1930s, which still has an effect on Waterloo, Iowa's educational system to this day. The practice targeted neighborhoods considered to be undesirable due to their racial or ethnic makeup, regularly denying residents services or putting tight restrictions on investment, insurance, and mortgage lending. The color-coded maps that HOLC assessors used to identify high-risk zones - areas populated by ethnic minorities were frequently designated in red - are where the term "redlining" first appeared. These laws lead to differences in …

Shadows Of Redlining: Unveiling Disparities In Essential Social Services In Waterloo, Ia, Luke Abels

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

This study explores the enduring impact of redlining on the distribution and upkeep of Waterloo, IA's community resources such as schools and childcare facilities. It assesses how these historical policies affect community development and individual well-being. Through a combination of GIS and qualitative methods, the goal is to highlight disparities in the availability and standard of vital services due to past and present socio-economic factors. This analysis will aid policymakers, urban planners, and advocates in bridging Waterloo's social equity gaps.

How Rural Identity, Self-Reliance, And Stoicism Relate To Attitudes Toward Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Iowans, Taylor Brown

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

PROBLEM

• Rural areas represent 20% of the U.S. population (United States Census Bureau, 2022)
• Similar rates of mental illness among rural and urban people (Morales et al., 2020)
• Higher suicide rates among rural people (Brunk, 2010)
• Lower psychological help-seeking rates among rural individuals (Caldwell et al., 2004; Kirby et al., 2019)
• Rural residents tend to wait longer and until symptoms become severe to seek help (Stewart et al., 2015)

Aerobic Exercise Improves Cognitive Functioning In Older Adults, Emily Swanson, Stephanie Rasco, Holden Sevening, Ava Schupbach, Terence Moriarty

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Cognitive Impairment

What is it?

• An early stage of memory loss or other cognitive ability loss (such as language or visual/spatial perception) in individuals who maintain the ability to independently perform most activities of daily living.

Risk Factors

• Age
• Physical Inactivity
• Early stages of Alzheimers
• Cerebrovascular Problems

Education For Ethiopia Research Project Proposal, Shelby Hull

Student Research Symposium

In Ethiopia, it was found that within the population, only 24% of adults have finished their primary education (William Saint). The post-secondary enrollment ratio in Ethiopia is 0.8 percent in 2000. This puts Ethiopia at the bottom of the rankings, in the world, for attending secondary school (William Saint).

Violence And Danger In Children's Folklore, Alleyah Murphy

Student Research Symposium

Children's Folklore is described as games, traditions, songs, and rhymes that are passed down from person to person, anonymous in origin, have variation, and often have association with a group.

I decided to examine violence and danger in Children's Folklore.

Tsc Hub Re-Design: How Environment Affects Focus, Natalie Tanner

Student Research Symposium

Biophilia is often used in design because of its positive impact on mental and physical health for the users of the space. Bringing live plants into a space can improve the air quality. In addition to this it can help increase productivity which is ideal for a community space on a college campus where students need to focus and study. Studies have shown incorporating biophilia can improve productivity, creativity, key cognitive functions, overall well-being and encourage innovative thinking (Haiken, 2023) (Haiken, 2022).

Cloud Solutions For Clinical Trial Data Analysis, Kelli Nelson

Student Research Symposium

In clinical trials, how can we determine whether "rare but serious side effects" are results of the treatment or just random?

Cultivating A Love Of Reading In Young Children Through The Built Environment, Mattalyn Geddes

Student Research Symposium

First, the benefits of reading include parents reading aloud to their children as well as children reading silently on their own. Each has advantages and is largely influenced by the child’s age. So remember just because they are too young to read on their own doesn’t mean they can’t start reaping the benefits of reading by listening to those around them read aloud.

Reading supports cognitive development or in other words the ability to think, understand, problem-solve, and make decisions. During early childhood, millions of neural connections are made creating new brain cells and adding “more definition and complexity to …

Straw Bale Construction: Exploring The Possibilities Of A Construction Method Grounded In Earthen, Sustainable Materials, Lydia Yancey

Student Research Symposium

Straw bale construction is a unique and sustainable take on comfortable living. Contrasting straw bale construction and current traditional construction in terms of sustainability and efficiency, we take a look on how this form of construction could potentially revolutionize the future of sustainable living.

Straw bale construction goes back to the 1800’s during the civil war. They were originally meant to be temporary housing, but people quickly realized that there is comfort & durability in these structures.

La Bella English School, Rachael Barlow

Student Research Symposium

Mexico's transition to a globalized economy necessitates a proficient grasp of the English language. In an era marked by international trade, technology, and cultural exchange, English proficiency is no longer a luxury but a fundamental skill. In today's interconnected world, English has become the lingua franca for international communication, diplomacy, and business. It is the most widely spoken second language worldwide, opening doors to global opportunities and cross-cultural interactions. Access to English education equips students with the skills and qualifications to compete in a global workforce. Establishing English schools in Mexico promotes educational equity. The proliferation of English schools in …

Asymmetries In Ncaa Division I Tennis Players Compared To Control Group, Liz Cafferty

Student Research Symposium

Interlimb asymmetries are common between dominant and non-dominant sides.

Women's Safe House In Ethiopia, Ellie Ericksen

Student Research Symposium

This is the reality faced by numerous women and their children seeking refuge in safe houses throughout Ethiopia. Since 2022, the country has been engulfed in a brutal civil war. Rebel forces from the northern Tigray region have pushed back against the Ethiopian government, resulting in devastating bombings of cities and villages, claiming tens, if not hundreds of thousands of lives. The government's blockade in Tigray has severely restricted access to essential resources such as food, medicine, electricity, and communication, leaving 17 million people in dire need of assistance and resulting in widespread displacement. Amidst this turmoil, there have been …

Assessing The Influence Of ”Small Town Feel” On Wellbeing In Utah, Madison Fjeldsted Thompson

Student Research Symposium

Background

- Utah Wellbeing Project involvement

- Emergence of “small town feel”

• ”Please tell us what you value most about living in [city]?
• ”Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about wellbeing in [city]?

- Term and idea relatively sparce in existing literature

Themes And Ideas Of Violence In Children's Folklore, Sara Hamer

Student Research Symposium

The Tradition

Children engage with their feelings by participating in violent rhymes and songs they are masters of by controlling, engaging with, and creating parodies to experiment with playful protest.

Solace Space: College Students & Mental Health, Kelsey Wise

Student Research Symposium

In envisioning a safe place for college students struggling with mental health, we came up with Solace Space. It is a meditation room where students can go and feel the calming effects of Feng Shui and Light therapy to nurture students well-being. The design harmonizes elements of nature, optimizing energy flow for serenity. Soft, earthy tones and minimalistic décor create a calming ambiance. Advance light therapy fixtures simulate natural sunlight, aiding mood regulation. This intimate space becomes a sanctuary for rejuvenation. It’s holistic haven where students can explore mindfulness, find balance, and embrace the healing power of both ancient wisdom …