Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons^™

Gibson Battery, Serenity J. Baughman, Adrian Mandzy

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Confederate Battery built on Gibson’s Point was named after the landowner, Richard T. Gibson, who acquired the property from his father Robert S. Gibson in 1834. Constructed in early 1864 to protect the Confederate held city of Savannah, the Battery was built by enslaved workers to protect Whitemarsh Island, which had become a battleground between Union and Rebel forces over the last two years of the war. The Battery consisted of three parts, of which only the central redoubt remains. The Battery consisted of three parts, of which only the central redoubt remains. Abandoned by Confederate troops in December …

Developing A Collaborative Study Resource For Craft Academy Students, Makayla Jones, Annika Marshall, Lucy Mcclung, Heather Ott, Donna Besant

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Stem-X Files is a collaborative study resources created with the mission of fostering academic excellence and collaboration among Craft Academy students at Morehead State University. This student-led platform was founded by Rebekah Jones and Donna Besant Fall 2023, who graduated from the Craft Academy in 2024. This project allows for high-performing students to share their study materials with present and futures students. These study materials include notes, study guides, syllabi, and more. By empowering students to contribute to and utilize valuable academic tools, The Stem-X Files strive to contribute to students enhanced learning, knowledge sharing, and success while maintaining …

Patient To Nurse Ratios And Their Effects On Patient Care, Katalina White

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

While working on a medical surgical unit at hospital A, I noticed that many nurses received upwards to 7 patients per shift. This led to many patient care activities not being able to be accomplished, unsatisfactory patient outcomes, nursing dissatisfaction, and nurse turnover rates increasing. Patient care was brought into question as the nurses on the unit felt overworked and understaffed. So the objective of this project is to introduce a 4-1 ratio of patients to nurses to improve patient safety, patient outcomes, and overall patient care. QSEN thrives for patient safety and quality improvement, so implementation of this standard …

Cataloguing Shadow (Phaeophyscia), Rosette (Physcia), And Cryptic Rosette (Physciella) Lichens Of Carter Caves State Resort Park, Payton A. Offill, Allen C. Risk

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

A lichen is a composite, symbiotic partnership of a fungus and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria. These organisms provide stability to ecosystems through provision of nutrients and microhabitats to fauna and absorption of pollutants and large particulates in the air, serving as great indicators of environmental conditions. The purpose of this research was to document the diversity of three commonly encountered, though not easily discerned, foliose lichen genera found in Carter Caves State Resort Park: Phaeophyscia, Physcia, and Physciella. These three lichen genera are found to be small to medium sized, greenish grey, olive, or brown in color, and inhabit various …

Climbs: Revisiting Big Bone Lick To Develop A Late Quarternary Climate Record For Kentucky, Margaret Alden, Jennifer O'Keefe, Tori Reid, Hannah Sprinkle, Avery Wasinger

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

CLIMBS P2 (Climate Learning, Prediction, and Building Response Systems Project 2: Paleo-perspectives) focuses on improving our understanding of historical flooding and landslide events in Kentucky using paired Holocene paleoclimate and sedimentary records. To date, few published paleoclimate records exist (Liu et al., 2013; Nunez Otano et al., in prep.). As an initial step in meeting the aims of P2, the OPaL lab at Morehead State University is focusing on completion of an in-progress latest Pleistocene - early Holocene palynology-based paleoclimate record derived from sediments in legacy Andrews/KGS cores from Big Bone Lick in Northern Kentucky. This region is the birthplace …

Effect Of Nordic Hamstring Exercise On Knee Flexor Torque In Female Athletes: A Pilot Study, Jarrod Plank, Lucy Singleton, Manuel Probst

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

PREVALENCE Female athletes experience Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries 5-6x more often than male counterparts.

PREDISPOSITIONAL FACTORS The Q-angle refers to the pull vector exerted by the quadriceps muscle on the patella which results in greater valgus load on the knee ligaments.2,3,4,5,6 Females also possess lower levels of testosterone which yield decreased ligamentous strain tolerances.

MUSCULAR IMBALANCES Sufficient hamstring contraction during the landing phase decreases ACL strain by >70%, thereby limiting anterior tibial translation (ATT) force exerted by the quadriceps. As stated by Hewett et al., females present an absence of increased hamstring/quadricep torque ratio compared to males, resulting in …

The Effectiveness Of Turn Teams In Reducing The Incidence Of Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries, Abigaile Blackburn

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

It is commonly known in healthcare that pressure injuries (PIs) result in higher morbidity and mortality rates for the adult population. PIs include a range of intact, open, and deep tissue injuries related to prolonged immobility. To reduce the incidence of PIs, it is highly recommended to turn patients, usually alternating among the left side, the back, and the right side. Additionally, it is standard across most hospitals to enforce mandatory turning schedules, which is at least every two hours. The objective of the project is to investigate the effectiveness of using turn teams in hospitals and nursing homes. The …

An Introduction To The Sphecidae Of Eastern Kentucky, Dawn Barnett, Kyah Brinegar, Gracie Burdette, Sean O'Keefe

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Sphecidae are solitary wasps that can be used to assess biodiversity on a larger scale. Sphecidae are called solitary because they do not live in colonies but rather in dirt burrows, constructed nests, and existing cavities. Their behavior reflects their name as they rarely sting people and do not mind them much, as they commonly nest near or on human dwellings. Sphecidae occur worldwide and include four subfamilies: Sphecinae, Crabroninae, Nyssoninae, and Philanthinae. Of the 10,220 known species, 1200 occur in North America. Sphecidae prey on various invertebrates, including spiders, caterpillars, and bees. Members of the subfamily Sphecinae genera …

Improving Fall Risk Precautions: A Safer Approach To Protect Patients, Dylan Fraley

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The purpose of this project is to highlight current fall risk precaution flaws at facility XYZ and implement new changes that would increase patient safety. As a nurse, safety comes first for both patients and staff, with new guidelines and interventions we can decrease the number of preventable falls in the hospital setting. We would implement changes that have showed positive outcomes in evidenced based practice and prioritizes patient comfort and safety. These new precautions would be patient centered as their safety needs would be better met. Teamwork and collaboration are also essential as many of the interventions in this …

Impacts Of Local Clay On Ceramic Glazes, Emily Fischer, Abigail Morgan, Quinn Maher

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This region of eastern Kentucky has an important and rich history of clay, from the brick companies like Haldeman, Louisville, and Granh, to the once-thriving Lee clay that employed a large percentage of the Morehead community and the surrounding areas of Appalachia. To further explore the rich history of local clay in Kentucky, this study analyzed the effects of using local clay on traditional glaze recipes. The purpose of our study was to prove that adding specific increments of local iron-rich clay to a basic glaze recipe would impact the glaze in one of the following ways: texture, opacity, color, …

Diversity/Adaptations Of The Galapagos Land Snails (Bulimulus) On The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, M.E. Hargan, Charles Lydeard

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Galapagos Land Snails, scientific species name Bulimulus, are native to the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. There is varying climates and geography throughout the islands and these snails evolved and adapted to these variances. On our experience abroad trip, the goal was to find our selected animal we researched and try to prove whatever hypothesis we found to be correct. I researched and found that depending on the island/area the snails where their cones were shaped different from each other although they were the same species they had variances. I had set out to see if this …

Battling Ventilator Associated Pneumonia, Kelsey Carrier

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The purpose of this literature review is to address common or potential concerns that may contribute to the hospital setting where we are receiving practicum experience. A potent issue in hospitals today is the healthcare acquired infections that occurs worldwide. One of the biggest contributors to healthcare-acquired infections is ventilator associated pneumonia (vap). QSEN, which is Quality, Safety, and Education for Nurses is integrated into the literature review by enhancing the knowledge of Nurses and safety of the patients. By researching potential health concerns, it helps us better understand the issue and what we can do to prevent it.

The Potential Impact Of Overusing Isolation Precautions, Laci Johnson

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

While Isolation Precautions (IP) help prevent infections, excessive use can harm patients' mental and physical health. Research shows that prolonged IP increases anxiety, depression, and social isolation, leading to worsened outcomes and longer hospital stays. Overuse may also create stigma and communication barriers, reducing care quality. This poster highlights the need for a balanced approach to IP to protect both patient well-being and infection control.

Benefits Of Interdisciplinary Rounding For Better Patient Outcomes, Brooklyn Phipps

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Interdisciplinary rounding in healthcare teams can significantly improve communication and patient care. Miscommunication often arises when multiple physicians and healthcare professionals are involved in a patient's care, leading to fragmented or delayed treatment. By adopting interdisciplinary rounding, healthcare teams can share expertise and knowledge, ensuring that all members are aligned on the patient's plan of care. This approach directly supports the QSEN competencies, including Teamwork and Collaboration, which fosters effective communication and mutual respect among team members, and Patient-Centered Care, which ensures the patient is a central part of the decision-making process. Furthermore, it enhances Safety by minimizing the risk …

Improving Patient Safety Through Bedside Shift Report, Madison Caudill

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

This project addresses the issue of nurses at Hospital A not participating in bedside shift report, often conducting report in hallways or at the nurses' station. This practice can compromise patient safety, communication, and continuity of care. The guiding objective is to implement bedside shift reporting to enhance patient safety, improve communication, and foster a more patient-centered approach. • Interaction of the six QSEN principles: • Patient-centered: Including patient in their care by including them in the report process. • Teamwork: Encouraging collaboration between outgoing and incoming nurses. Enables patients to take an active role in their own care. • …

Nurse-Patient Ratios And The Effects On Patient Outcomes, Mortality, And Costs., Martin Helms

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Healthcare in the United States is constantly changing and adapting to the current health of the country. There are many considerations that play into providing quality, safe, and effective care. At the forefront of what is needed is nursing staff, that has seen a steep decline in recent years. One of the problems I see as a large influence on nursing is the ratio of patient's nurses are responsible for during their shifts. This research project is aimed at finding the relation between nurse-patient ratios and the outcomes on patients/hospitals. The study is focused on identifying improvement in patient-centered care, …

Entreprenurial Community Improvement Programempowering Students Through Experiential Learning For Community Impact, Kaylee Pionk, Olivia Robinson, Luke Seelye, Jachin Wilbur, India Young, Rachel Rogers

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Risk, Religion, And Rivalry: How Religiosity Affects Competitive Intensity In U.S. Firm, Mara Wilson, Ahmad Hassan

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Firms operate within cultural and societal contexts that shape their strategic decisions, with religion being a significant influence. Research shows that religious norms impact managerial decision-making and corporate practices (Chan- Serafin et al., 2013; Weaver and Agle, 2002). Even individuals who do not fully internalize religious values are influenced by local cultural norms, including religion (Spicer & Bailey, 2007). Religion plays a crucial role in shaping culture, which in turn affects economic behavior (Weber, 1905; Guiso et al., 2003). CEOs often look to religious teachings for guidance in navigating the secular business world (McCarthy, 1996; Nash, 2004). However, little research …

An Eye For An Eye: How Revenge Is Viewed As A Motive, Elizabeth Perkins, Talon Stallings

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Motives behind crimes play a large role in sentencing. A motive being defined as “the reason for doing something.” (Oxford Dictionary, 2023) In criminal cases, this translates to the reason for committing a crime. It’s well known that different criminal motives elicit different reactions from members of the public. (Wolfgang, 1958) This often leads to differences in sentencing. One of the most well known motives in crime is revenge, which is the act of criminally retaliating against one who a criminal believes has wronged them. (Kivivuori, 2016) In this research study, public opinion was gauged on how revenge is viewed …

2024-2025 Program And Abstracts Celebration Of Student Scholarship, Morehead State University. Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program.

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The 2024-2025 Program and Abstracts for the Celebration of Student Scholarship at Morehead State University held on April 16, 2025. A Showcase of Student Research, Scholarship, Creative Work, and Performance Arts.

Hazel Green Academy - A Reimagined Legacy, Jaxson Brewer, Ashlee Foxworth, Jacob Layne, Emma Layne, Rachel Rogers

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

A poster describing the establishment and history of the Hazel Green Academy in Wolfe County, Kentucky from 1880 to 1983.

End Of Life Decision Making: The Right To Die On Their Own Terms, Alexandra Stacy

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

For the capstone project I was asked to identify a “problem” that I observed at my clinical site this semester. One problem at my clinical site has stuck out to me significantly. Patients on the unit I have been assigned are often close to death and unable to make their own decisions and despite any legal paperwork that may be in place their power of attorney or state mandated power of attorney often go against the patients last wishes. While this does not sit well with me, and many others, this is a large legal and ethical issue that would …

Nurse Abuse And Patient Delirium: Effects On Nursing Profession, Briana Sharps

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Abuse against nurses is a growing topic in today's healthcare system, whether that reflects verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. During my practicum at “Hospital A” there were multiple instances of nurse abuse on varying levels of type and severity, with most related to patient delirium. Due to this, I chose to do my capstone project on the rise in nurse abuse and how we can improve this to promote quality and safe care to all patients using QSEN competencies to educate nurses on how to prevent adverse incidents of abuse towards healthcare workers as it relates to preventing patient delirium …

Quantification Of Nicotine Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography & Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Marissa Blair, Emmalou Schmittzehe-Skarbek

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

In recent years, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly known as electronic cigarettes (ECs), have gained popularity, particularly among adolescents (Cooper, 2022). • The core component of these devices is e-liquids which contain nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring, and other chemicals (Cheng, 2014; Sassano, et al., 2018). • The FDA regulates manufacturing, importing, packaging, labelling, advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution of ENDS, but they do not check the accuracy of reported information. • Studies have consistently shown that labelled nicotine concentration and actual concentration can range from as little as 35% less nicotine to as much as 52% greater …

Determination Of Synthetic Pesticide Concentration In Bodies Of Water In Rowan County Kentucky, Jacob Blevins, Emmalou Schmittzehe-Skarbek

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Synthetic pesticide usage is a relatively recent invention of industry that has been proven to have widespread biological effects. Many families of pesticides have unique properties including solubility in water and long half-lives. This ability to be soluble in water paired with a long half-life result in a pesticide that is perfectly suited to contaminate water designated for human or agricultural use. Solid-phase extraction is a preparatory technique of analytical chemistry in which a liquid sample is passed through a solid material that selectively retains compounds for further analysis. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography is an analytical chemistry technique that can quantify …

Ensuring Blood Transfusion Safety: Preventing Errors And Sentinel Events, Brooklyn Lemaster

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

During my time working across various units at Hospital A, I frequently observed blood transfusions as a common procedure. One particular event stands out: a sentinel event in which the incorrect blood products were administered to a patient. This incident resulted in the patient exhibiting visible body tremors, dizziness, confusion, tachycardia, and hypertension. While the patient and blood product ID numbers were correctly matched, the error occurred when two type and screen results were switched in the blood bank. Fortunately, my nurse and I promptly reassessed the situation and stopped the transfusion. However, had we not intervened quickly, this simple …

Introduction To The Paper And Potter Wasps Of Eastern Kentucky, Dawn Barnett, Kyah Brinegar, Gracie Burdette, Sean O'Keefe

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Wasps are a possible surrogate to measure biodiversity of an ecosystem because they can be extremely diverse, most requiring a very specific niche. Many factors such as surrounding vegetation, potential prey availability, and potential hosts impact presence and diversity of wasps; so, by observing different species in an environment biodiversity could be inferred. The Vespidae are Social Wasps and include six subfamilies. My research specifically covers two subfamilies: Paper Wasps (Polistinae), and Potter and Mason Wasps (Eumeninae). There are 25 genera with over 1000 species of paper wasps worldwide; 27 in North America, and 8 found in Kentucky. Potter wasps …

Introduction To The Social Wasps Of Eastern Kentucky: (Vespidae, Vespinae), Dawn Barnett, Kyah Brinegar, Gracie Burdette, Sean O'Keefe

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The subfamily Vespinae of the Vespidae, encompasses true hornets and yellow jackets. They are distributed throughout the Holarctic and Oriental regions. The subfamily includes 80 species globally, comprising three genera, the True Hornets (Vespa), Aerial Yellowjackets (Dolichovespula), and the Ground Yellowjackets (Vespula). Two species of Vespula Hornets occur in the U.S., only one occurs in Kentucky; Six species of Aerial Yellowjackets (Dolichovespula) occur in the U.S., four of which are in Kentucky, and thirteen species of Ground Yellow Jackets (Vespula) occur in the U.S., eight are in Kentucky. Vespinae are eusocial, meaning they have well defined castes of queens, workers, …

Bringing Yeast Evolution To The Craft Academy, Rebecca L. Bailey, Roger Love, Melissa A. Mefford, Hannah O'Brien, Gabriella Ostrander, Kaylee Poink

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Antifungal resistance, like antibiotic resistance, is a growing health concern. With the increase of immunocompromised patients, as well as advances made in hospital methodologies, antifungal resistance is becoming an increasingly greater threat. Experimental evolution in the laboratory coupled with genome sequencing can identify rare, spontaneous mutations caused by selective pressure that allow for fungi to survive and reproduce in antifungal environments.

A New Kid On The La’S Block: An Exploratory Study Of The Origins, Growth, And Awareness Of Cricket In The U.Sangel, Steve Chen, Angel Daugherty, Vivek Madupu

2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Cricket gained popularity in America during the 17th to 19th centuries, particularly in New York and Philadelphia. The establishment of organized clubs in 1844 significantly contributed to the sport's growth and widespread appeal. The game experienced a decline in the 20th century due to the rise of sports like baseball and football. The recent change: Influence of immigrants from India and the West Indies) and technological developments