Education Commons^™

How To Successfully Implement Practical Functional Assessment In School Settings, Christina Stasi-Arispe

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) process is a comprehensive system that may benefit students who engage in high levels of challenging behavior by assessing the function of behavior while considering the student’s safety, dignity, and autonomy (Hanley, 2012).

The PFA-SBT process is designed to advance through several cumulative phases to teach the necessary skills that promote student success in multiple contexts within the school or home (Hanley et al., 2014). While not explicitly designed for school settings, the PFA-SBT process is versatile and feasible enough to be implemented by school personnel. This poster will describe the …

Problem Of The Week: A Student-Led Initiative To Bring Mathematics To A Broader Audience, Jordan M. Sahs, Brad Horner

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Problem of the Week (POW!) is a weekly undergraduate mathematics competition hosted by two graduate students from the UNO Math Department. It started with the goal to showcase variety, creativity, and intrigue in math to those who normally feel math is dry, rote, and formulaic. Problems shine light on both hidden gems and popular recreational math, both math history and contemporary research, both iconic topics and nontraditional ones, both pure abstraction and real-world application. Now POW! aims to increase availability and visibility in Omaha and beyond. Select problems from Fall 2021 to Spring 2023 are highlighted here: these received noteworthy …

Relationships Between Expressive And Receptive Language Ability And Play Initiation In 2-Year-Olds, Jessica Glasshoff

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

For most young children, social initiations develop during natural play contexts, along with language. However, not all children learn language typically from an early age. At 2 years of age, these children are generally referred to as “late talkers” or as having “late language emergence” (LLE). LLE usually involves between 10-15 percent of 2-year-olds. Delayed language development is associated with delays in play sophistication; however, little is known about the association between LLE and child initiations during play. The purpose of the study was to further determine the relationship between receptive and expressive language proficiency and play initiation for toddlers. …

The Influence Of An Early Childhood Endorsement Program On Early Childhood Leadership Competencies, Kanyon Chism

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The call to improve high-quality educational opportunities for children ages birth – eight has received increased attention and federal and local funding opportunities have expanded to provide additional early childhood classrooms and to implement family engagement practices. Unfortunately, systems of support for principals aimed at increasing knowledge and skills necessary to lead an aligned Preschool – third-grade system within an elementary school remain relatively sparse. The purpose of this study is to examine the alignment between an early childhood endorsement program and early childhood leadership competencies.

This study will examine the perceptions of school leaders participating in an early childhood …

Influences On The Implementation Of Guided Play Practices In Kindergarten: A Grounded Theory Study, Amy Schmidtke

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The professional capacity of a kindergarten teacher is central to the implementation of developmentally appropriate practices that support children’s learning and development. Evidence indicates that a teacher’s professional capacity is influenced through experiences with leadership, professional learning, and collaboration. Although research clearly supports the positive impact of play experiences for young children, the current educational climate does not provide teachers with the confidence or the structural supports needed to actualize play in kindergarten classrooms. The findings demonstrate what influences kindergarten teachers to implement guided play practices in their classrooms. The implications provide insight as to which elements of leadership, professional …

Impact Of Interdisciplinary Collaborative Behavior Coach Training For School Counselors, Social Workers, And Psychologists, Kristen Abueg

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Children’s social and emotional skill deficits can be predictors of a lifetime of academic and behavioral challenges and mental health concerns. Young children with challenging behaviors are at a higher risk for substance abuse and school failure. Behavior coaching is a current focus in many schools and is being utilized to support school-wide systems and teachers in relationship to students with behavior and mental health concerns. The purpose of this descriptive quantitative study was to investigate the impact of interdisciplinary collaborative behavior coach training for school counselors, social workers, and psychologists in a Midwest suburban school district. Interdisciplinary collaborative behavior …

Teacher Perceptions During The Candidacy Phase Of The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Nicole Beins

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

This qualitative case study explores the perceptions of educators during the candidacy phase of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in a suburban Midwest school. The methodology was comprised of a two-phase research design. During Phase 1, participants responded anonymously through written narrative responses via electronic questionnaire. This data was analyzed for common themes. After initial data analysis, focus group questions were generated using the findings of common themes to ask focus groups what strengths and challenges were faced during the implementation phase of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. The goal of this research was to gain insight on …

Using From The Heartland In The First-Year Writing Classroom: Measuring Instructor Reception Of The Customized Textbook, Sarah Cohen

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The aim of the first-year writing program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is to equip students with critical reading and writing tools and strategies to advance effective written communication well into their future. This study examines and measures attitudes of UNO composition instructors – who come from a variety of pedagogical and theoretical backgrounds – toward the efficacy of UNO’s self-published Composition I textbook, From the Heartland: Critical Reading and Writing at UNO. In many ways, From the Heartland embraces what Richard Fulkerson refers to as “a critical cultural pedagogy” which encourages students to consider personal …

Perceptions Of District Curriculum Administrators Regarding K-12 Engineering Education, Derrick A. Nero

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The state of Nebraska recently adopted and implemented a set of Science standards that aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards which include engineering practices such as engineering design and the use of technology. Curriculum administrators throughout the state are responsible for the implementation of these standards including training for engineering teaching and learning. This exploratory study investigated curriculum administrators’ (n = 43) perceptions of Engineering Education in four areas: Importance of Engineering Education, District Familiarity with Engineering Education, Characteristics of Engineering, and Barriers to Integrating Engineering Education. This exploratory study used one instrument to collect data: a modified Design, …

Impacts Of Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidant (Mitoq) On Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function In Peripheral Arterial Disease Patients, Jiwon Song

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disease that affects the arteries in the legs, causing decreased blood flow and oxygen transfer capacity to the skeletal muscle. This ischemia in the skeletal muscle in PAD patients may result in increased inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Inflammation and ROS production have been shown to attenuate vascular function in PAD patients Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants (such as MitoQ) have been shown to combat ROS and inflammation in various diseases.

Purpose: We sought to examine the impacts of MitoQ intake on vascular function measurements in PAD patients. …

Exploration Of School-Based Refugee Mental Health Intervention, Anne Marie Boose

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

ABSTRACT

EXPLORATORY STUDY OF A SCHOOL-BASED REFUGEE

MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT

Anne Marie Boose, Ed.D.

University of Nebraska, 2018

Advisor: Kay A. Keiser, Ed.D.

Immigrant and refugee youth are in our schools in greater numbers than ever. Educators are required to educate all students to the same standards, even though they have often been exposed to violence and other difficulties throughout their journey to a new home. Many continue to face many on-going barriers as they arrive in our schools. Although this population is resilient and has many strengths, for some the burden of trauma is overwhelming, threatening their mental health …

Visual Arts In An Elementary School Classroom, Kathryn O'Connor

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

It is more common nowadays to see a classroom lacking in any creative outlet for their students. Even at such a young, fundamental age funding has stood in the way of introducing the necessities the visual arts gift to students beginning at the age of four or five. With such a heavy push in the direction of academics such as math and reading the concept of imagination has been overpowered by multiplication and division and adjectives and verbs. With an increased fight by educators to promote the arts in their classrooms the benefits speak for themselves. When housing a creativity …

Summer Camp And Experiential Learning – A Qualitative Study Exploring The Perspectives Of Selected Participants, Living In Poverty, While Attending A Sleep-Away Summer Camp In Northern Minnesota, Mary Achelpohl

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Summer breaks vary in length and depth of experiences for many children and families. The summer learning gap has been widely researched as problematic to the cognitive, social, and emotional development for many children, especially children living in poverty. At the same time, best practices in summer learning initiatives have a narrow research scope. This qualitative phenomenological research study explores participants’ perceptions of their time at a sleep-away summer camp in Northern Minnesota. All participants were living in poverty during their time at summer camp. A major focus will examine summer learning opportunities and the importance of creating experiences for …

Experience Of A Noyce-Student Learning Assistant In An Inquiry-Based Learning Class, Melissa Riley

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

This presentation refers to an undergraduate course called introduction to abstract mathematics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During the academic year 2017-2018, undergraduate, mathematics student Melissa Riley was a Noyce-student learning assistant for the Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) section of the course. She assisted the faculty-in-charge with all aspects of the course. These included: materials preparation, class organization, teamwork, class leading, presentations, and tutoring. This presentation shall address some examples of how the IBL approach can be used in this type of class including: the structure of the course, the activities and tasks performed by the students, learning …

Becoming A Trauma-Informed School, Lisa Epp

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

According to the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, more than 46% of children across the U.S. have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience or ACE. Adverse Childhood Experiences can have detrimental, long-term effects on a child’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Becoming a trauma-informed school can change the negative outcomes for those students who have been impacted by traumatic events. The focus of this literature review will explore trauma-informed practices and frameworks currently being used in schools across the U.S.; and the benefits of using positive education paradigms that incorporate trauma-informed care within the educational setting.

Technical, Clinical And Functional Considerations For The Development Of 3d Printed Upper-Limb Prostheses, Keaton Young

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Oral presentation of over the topic of Technical, Clinical and Functional Considerations for the Development of 3D Printed Upper-Limb Prostheses.

The Relationship Between Linear And Nonlinear Analysis On Activity Data, Katlyn J. Nimtz

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Activity monitoring in older adults is a great way to predict disability without interfering in their daily life. We can analyze that data using linear and nonlinear analysis. While linear analysis measures the variation of activity during a specific period of time (i.e., mean, standard deviation), nonlinear analysis focuses on the evolution of activity over a period of time. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to observe the relationship between linear and nonlinear analysis of activity data obtained by activity monitoring in older adults. Eight participants wore an activity monitor around their waist for seven days. Linear analysis was …

Family Engagement: Finding Parents’ Perspectives, Melissa Frans

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The purpose of this classic grounded theory study is to define family engagement in a child’s education from the perspective of a mother. This study will bring to the surface what parents believe their role is in their children's education and develop an understanding of the gap between what research says that parents should do at home and what parents believe they should be doing at home. At this stage in the research, family engagement is a recommended focus for schools, and Steven Constantino (2016) goes as far to say that schools should establish a relationship with every family.

This …

The Astro Xo Exoskeleton Alters Ankle Kinetics In Healthy Individuals, Blake Beier, Angel E. Gonzalez, Erica Hedrick, Jeffrey M. Patterson, Corbin Rasmussen

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The ankle joint is one of the most important for walking, producing 35-45% of the summed ankle, knee, and hip positive mechanical work for each stride. Ankle weakness results in reduced torque and power production, leading to slower self-selected speed. Slower preferred walking speed correlates with poorer physical function, health status, more disabilities, and increased medical-surgical visits. Many orthotic and exoskeletal devices have been created to restore proper ankle function by promoting ankle plantar flexion. This study assessed the effects of the Astro XO Exoskeleton (AXO) on ankle kinetics and kinematics for healthy, young individuals. The study demonstrated that wearing …

Overall Wellness Of First Generation College Student-Athletes, Shane Warehime

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The present study examined the overall wellness of first-generation student-athletes (FGSA) in comparison to non-first generation student-athletes (non-FGSA),first-generation college students (FGCS), and non-first generation college students (non-FGCS). Overall wellness was assessed using the Five-Factor WellnessInventory. Non-FGSA scored significantly higher than non-FGCS in overall wellness and life satisfaction. Non-FGSA and FGSA scored significantly higher than non-FGCS and FGCS in the physical self subscale (i.e., diet, exercise). In sum, athletics may play an important role in the wellness of student-athletes, which could be enough to mitigate any challenges that first-generation college students face.

The Experiences Of Female High School Students And Interest In Stem: Factors Leading To The Selection Of An Engineering Or Computer Science Major, Sharon Genoways

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators, which leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy (Hossain & Robinson, 2012). We have been hearing the warnings for several years, that there simply are not enough young scientists entering into the STEM professional pathways to replace all of the retiring professionals (Brown, R., Brown, J., Reardon, & Merrill, 2011; Harsh, Maltese, & Tai, 2012; Heilbronner, 2011; Scott, 2012). The problem is not necessarily due to a lack of STEM skills and concept proficiency. There also appears …

The Effects Of Optic Flow On Locomotor Symmetry, Lauren Bowman

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Walking seems to be an undemanding task; however, it requires a complex ability to adapt to changing environments. Our body relies on feedback from several sensory systems: visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular. When these systems conflict, the body relies primarily on visual feedback. Asymmetrical walking patterns, in both the spatial (i.e. step length) and temporal (i.e. step time) components may result from aging and disease. Learning how vision contributes to adapting to an asymmetrical walking pattern may prove useful in rehabilitating patients with asymmetric walking patterns. Twenty healthy, young adults participated in this study and were separated into two groups, virtual …

Effects Of Hypobaric And Normobaric Hypoxia On Myogenic And Proteolytic Gene Expression In Humans, Caleb I. Ross

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Current research suggests that physiological responses to hypobaric and normobaric hypoxia may be different. It is unknown if these differences extend to skeletal muscle and the transcriptional responses regulating muscle mass. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of hypobaric and normobaric hypoxia on myogenenic and proteolytic gene expression. METHODS: Recreationally trained subjects (n = 15; age = 24 ± 4 y; VO_2max = 3.60 ± 0.83 L · min^-1) completed three trials of 60-min cycling at 70% of W_max followed by 4-h recovery at ambient conditions (975 m), hypobaric hypoxia (4,420 m), and normobaric hypoxia (4,420 m). …

A Wellness Approach To Investigating Student Veterans' Academic And Career Goals, Thomas Seguin

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The purpose of this study is to understand what wellness factors motivate veterans to separate from the military, and how these factors are addressed by the selection of the veteran’s academic major. This project is exploratory in nature, and mixed-methods methodology is being utilized to reach a deep understanding of the wellness and career transition experiences of student veterans. A brief questionnaire has been developed to gather demographic data, and has been distributed among the student veteran population at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (41 respondents at the time of this writing). Interview participants will be selected from the …

A Needs Assessment Of Omaha Service Providers To Better Understand Maternal Well-Being, Tyler Patterson

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Background: In Nebraska just over 14% of mothers have reported feeling down or always depressed during the first year after the birth of their child. Research shows that many women who exhibit signs or symptoms of depression will not seek out help from a professional, with even fewer willing to go on medication. Thus, it is important to examine the current organizations mothers utilize and these organization’s resources for meeting the needs of mothers in the Omaha community. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore service providers’ (e.g., community organizations) perceptions of the needs of pregnant and postpartum …

Accommodations At Uno; What You Don't See, Steph Hengen

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

At the primary and secondary levels, students with disabilities receive supports by law through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. However, students with disabilities at the post-secondary level are typically required to self-identify and request supports independently (Getzel and Thoma, 2008). This poster describes the demographics of students who were registered with the Accessibility Services Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the Spring of 2016. Those who attend this poster session will have a better understanding of the population who receive support through the Accessibility Services Center and what that support looks like.

Engagement Of Latino/Hispanic Msm In Hiv Prevention, Natividad Hernandez

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Nationally, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be significantly affected by HIV compared to other populations. Surveillance data indicates that in Nebraska, between 2011 and 2015, over 55% of new HIV cases were MSM.¹ More specifically, the majority of new HIV cases in the state of Nebraska are reported in Douglas County.² The rate of Hispanic Latino males living with an HIV diagnosis is 2.3 times of white males.³ Similarly, the rate of Hispanic/Latina women living with HIV diagnosis is 3.4 times that white females.³ It is important to identify culturally appropriate messages …

Effects Of Inquiry Based Learning On An Undergraduate Precalculus Course, Jessica Wilson

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

MATH 1340 has a history of high DFW rates. This is true not just at UNO but nationally as well. An Inquiry Based Learning (IBL) approach to teaching this course could be a possible solution. In the fall 2016 semester I assisted Dr. Matthews with a MATH 1340 course. This class focused on problem solving in groups with little lecture time and many student presentations. To compare our class to the traditionally taught precalculus class we gave a pretest and posttest to both sections. After performing a two sample t-test on the data we found that students in the IBL …

Deaf Education And Mental Health, Katherine Schwartz

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Previous research has indicated that deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) students are more at risk for being identified with mental illness. Unfortunately, research has also indicated deaf educators are ill-equipped to provide the necessary support to these students and their families. This lack of knowledge and confidence to address such problems can and does have detrimental effects on students in and out of the classroom. Students with mental health issues struggle not only cognitively, but also socially and emotionally. To address the issue, a pilot study was conducted to examine deaf educators’ current abilities to work with students with …