Science and Technology Studies Commons^™

The Effect Of Participation In A Place-Based Engineering Learning Experience On Engineering Career Aspiration Of Nebraska’S Rural Students: A Mixed Method Study, Samereh Soleimani Babadi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

This study investigates the influence of a place-based, hands-on engineering learning experience on rural middle school students' engineering career aspirations, using Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a framework. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we explored how these localized learning experiences shape students' career goals through socio-cognitive factors such as self-efficacy, outcome expectations, goals, and interest. Quantitative analysis of pre- and post-activity surveys revealed significant increases in career aspiration scores, particularly among students from farming backgrounds and female students with initially lower expectations. Path analyses indicated that self-efficacy and interest were the strongest mediators between Place-based learning and engineering career aspirations. …

Methodological And Data-Driven Approaches For Analyzing And Enhancing Campus Camera Coverage At The University Of Akron, Aj Stewart

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This Honors Project presents both a methodological and data-driven approach to analyzing, calculating, and enhancing the camera coverage on The University of Akron's (UA) campus using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The project uses spatial crime mapping with camera coverage analysis to support The University of Akron Police Department (UAPD) in determining surveillance gaps and suggesting strategic improvements. The goal is to develop a replicable framework for evaluating and improving camera coverage in crime hotspots using spatial analysis and viewshed analysis. The findings in this project give a usable guide for using data to improve security camera placement according to maps …

The Economic And Environmental Impact Of Shinkansen And High-Speed Rail Infrastructure: A Comparative Analysis Of Economic Growth And Carbon Emissions Reduction, Dillan R. Victory

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The development of Japan's high-speed rail system, the Shinkansen, has played a pivotal role in the country's post-war economic resurgence. Introduced in 1964 with the Tokaidō Shinkansen, this transformative infrastructure investment significantly reduced travel times, bolstered economic activity around station hubs, and facilitated regional development by enabling urban decentralization. This paper explores the long-term economic benefits of high-speed rail, including its impact on land value, business expansion, and carbon emissions. The case study of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, Japan's latest maglev project, underscores both the economic promise and the political resistance to expansion, particularly in regions such as Shizuoka.

Using …

Your Attention Is For Sale, Sam Nova

Emerging Writers

There has been an undeniable trend of shortening attention span length within the last decade. The shift has made many people anxious to point fingers at potential factors which may be partial causes. Despite the common claims that the change is inadvertently caused by technology, shorter content online, or any other unintentional factor; the change is engineered and intentional. There is profit to be made for big social media companies from the purposeful shortening of attention spans amongst the public. Through harmful design philosophy which puts profit over public health, social media companies have designed their platforms to be addictive …

Critical Environmental Communication Framework, Shumaila J. Bhatti, Srivi Ramasubramanian, Andrea Feldpausch-Parker, Bruno Takahashi, Silje Kristiansen

Media Studies - All Scholarship

This study develops a Critical Environmental Communication (CEC) framework to assess the landscape of Environmental Communication research and to what extent and in which ways critical and justice-oriented perspectives are included. The CEC framework consists of four interconnected themes: (a) Marginalized Ecocultural Identities, (b) Context and Scale, (c) Power and Agency, and (d) Justice, Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion (JEDAI). Using this framework in a bibliometric analysis examining 1,297 Environmental Communication publications, we assess the occurrence of these themes in the scholarship. Our analysis found that Marginalized Ecocultural Identities, and Context and Scale were most frequently occurring, while Power and …

Understanding The Determinants Of Blockchain Adoption: An Empirical Study, Amarpreet Kohli, Nihar Kumthekar, Piyush Shah, Rebecca Jauch

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Blockchain technology (BT) has the potential to enhance security and robustness of transactions through a distributed ledger bookkeeping process. This study employs technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and threat-rigidity theory (TRT) to examine whether perceived disruption caused by COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the adoption of BT, and inclination to adopt BT in the US. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique backdrop, as it affected businesses across all industries, sizes, and geographies. Results show a non-significant effect of perceived pandemic disruption on the current stage of BT adoption and intention to adopt BT. However, disruption readiness positively influences the current stage of BT …

Comparing Vr And Tv In Nigeria And The U.S.: Impacts On Empathy, Engagement, And Enjoyment, Jinhee Yoo, Eugene A. Ohu, Radosław Mącik

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This study (N = 170), involving participants from Nigeria and the U.S., investigated how different technologies (TV and VR) affect users' empathy (α = .93), engagement (α = .93), enjoyment (α = .93), preferences, and likelihood of technology use. Participants watched an animated documentary titled “Is Anna OK?” at two different time points, utilizing VR (Oculus Rift S) and TV, following which they completed measuring empathy, engagement, enjoyment, device preference, and usage likelihood. Analysis via one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests revealed that VR users reported significantly higher empathy and enjoyment compared to TV viewers, particularly on second viewing. Combining both …

Analysing The Us—China “Ai Cold War” Narrative, Yujia He, Richard Heeks

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

Discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) are gaining prominence in the recent revival of “cold war” narratives comparing US-China relations today to the historical rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union. Drawing on a review of existing academic and policy literature engaging with the “AI cold war” narrative, this paper examines how the narrative is justified, and numerous ways that it can be challenged. It finds that the framing is largely driven by the securitisation of AI, as state actors and policy pundits view AI innovations’ dual-use capabilities as key to national security and ideological competition. However, critics posit that …

Adaptation For Whom? Understanding The Impacts Of Dyke Policies On Small-Scale Farmers In Ca Mau Province Of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Van Minh, Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Low-lying deltas worldwide are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. As the risks of climate-induced flooding become increasingly clear, the thirst for infrastructure-driven adaptation increases. This highlights a patent need to understand the impacts of engineering adaptation solutions, especially those targeting built structures such as dykes and sluices, on farmers from a bottom-up, farmer-centred perspective. The study addresses this call by examining cases where dyke policies, while successful in some dimensions, have undermined small-scale farmer livelihoods in Ca Mau ― Vietnam’s southernmost rural province. It identifies areas in need of attention and adds empirical data related to this group of farmers. …

Fostering Cyber Defense: Investigating Effective Methods To Enhance Cybersecurity Awareness, Dmitri H. Morris

Emerging Writers

In the current rapidly evolving digital era, the importance of cybersecurity has become paramount, with millions of records stolen daily and the cost of cybercrime reaching trillions of dollars annually. While the importance of cybersecurity is increasing, many individuals continue to implement poor cybersecurity practices, such as utilizing weak password construction strategies, opening phishing attachments, and handling data irresponsibly. These practices place individuals and the entities that employ them at risk, highlighting a critical need for greater cybersecurity awareness. Addressing this need requires effective strategies to increase awareness and alter individual behaviors. This paper provides a thorough examination of two …

Commercial Attention Spaces: A Century Of Discourses, Measurements, And Models Of Attention In The Construction Of U.S. Advertising Markets, Jacob Saindon

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

A vast assemblage of networked devices populate our everyday spaces. Concomitant with the increasing ubiquity of media devices are advertisements. Indeed, many networked devices, specifically the “free-to-use” software applications, websites, or platforms displayed through them, are advertising-dependent. An assortment of firms within the commercial media industry—brands, agencies, publishers, vendors—work in concert to sustain a market for advertising. The core operation of the commercial media industry, I argue, is the production and exchange of attention as an economic object. In this study, I approach the production of attention and the framing of its markets as spatial processes. The continued growth of …

A Geopolitical Economy Analysis Of China And India’S Approaches To Transnational Data Governance, Yujia He, Ka Zeng

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

Recent literature on the behavior of rising powers in digital trade and data governance highlights their discourses of data sovereignty and desire to preserve domestic policy autonomy. This article contributes to the literature by employing a political economy lens that shifts the focus from the nation-state/inter-state framework towards the dynamics of state–capital relations, allowing for a more historical and contextual understanding of the geopolitics of data governance in emerging economies. Using China and India—two of the largest emerging economies—as comparative cases, and drawing on secondary data from government documents and other sources, the article argues that the interplay between the …

Effect Of The Development Of Social Networks On Expansion Of Social Entrepreneurship: Moderating Role Of Digital Technology Infrastructure And Social Norms, Mahdi Maskani, Reza Mohammadkazemi, Fargol Saberi Qomi

AMTP Proceedings 2025

In today's era, social networks, which are an effective tool in promoting ideas and innovations, have met with global acceptance and popularity. The communication that is formed between people in society through them can be the basis for ideas and opportunities for social entrepreneurship and voluntary social activities, and it is expected that this global platform will be the basis for the expansion of social entrepreneurship. The study aimed to examine the effect of the development of social networks on the expansion of social entrepreneurship by explaining the moderating role of digital technology infrastructure and social norms. The findings revealed …

Moral Panic Or Public Health Crisis? Lessons From Drugs And Gambling For “Addictive” Design, Matthew B. Lawrence, Haomin (Kevin) Yan

Faculty Articles

In her important book, Unwired: Gaining Control Over Addictive Technologies, Gaia Bernstein illustrates the value of a comparative approach, drawing lessons from fights around the regulation of tobacco and ultra-processed food for the regulation of social media. Building on Bernstein’s work, this symposium contribution aims to draw additional insight from experience with drug and gambling regulation for the regulation of social media, video games, AI, and other potentially-addictive technologies.

Specifically, after introducing Bernstein’s book and the foundation it lays, we draw six lessons from the study of psychoactive drugs and gambling. As we elaborate below: Lesson one is that …

Making Slums Legible, Visible And Calculable: Geospatial Technologies And The Governance Of Urban Land In Mumbai, Sanjana Krishnan

Theses and Dissertations--Geography

This dissertation examines how geospatial technologies are used to make slums in Mumbai legible, calculable, and hypervisible, and how these practices reshape urban land governance. It situates mapping, remote sensing, and algorithmic systems within their political-economic contexts, showing how technologies intending to see the city often function as instruments of dispossession. The research has three interconnected empirical chapters. The first empirical chapter traces the history of slum mapping in Mumbai, from their absences in early development plans to their selective hypervisibility under the contemporary governance regimes. Using critical cartographic methods, it highlights how novel technologies such as remote sensing, biometric …

Urban Isolation In The Digital Age- Examining The Sociological Impact Of The Digital Divide On Civic Life In U.S. Cities, Delante Clark

Graduate Scholarship and Creative Works

The digital divide remains a persistent barrier to civic participation and social inclusion in urban America, particularly in historically underserved communities. This mixed-methods study investigates how digital lack of access affects civic engagement, social capital, and community cohesion in U.S. cities, with a focus on Chicago’s South Side, Harlem New York, St. Louis, and Orlando. Drawing on quantitative data from recent surveys and qualitative insights from peer-reviewed literature, the research applies four sociological frameworks, Urban Sociology, Social Capital Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism. These were used to examine the structural and interpretive aspects of digital isolation. Findings reveal …

Consumer Preferences And Willingness To Pay For Vertiport Design, Amenities, And Services, David C. Ison

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The rise of urban air mobility (UAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft necessitates the development of well-designed vertiports that align with consumer expectations. This study examines consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for vertiport design, amenities, and services to inform infrastructure planning and investment strategies. Using a survey-based quantitative research design, data were collected from 500 participants to assess key factors influencing WTP, including convenience, security measures, service efficiency, and premium offerings. Findings indicate that location accessibility, affordability, and streamlined security procedures are primary determinants of vertiport adoption. While aesthetic and retail enhancements contribute to passenger …

Are We Safe In The Digital World? Why We Still Fall Victim To Cybercrime, Kevin Le

Honors Papers and Posters

Cybersecurity has only recently gained press coverage as millions of individuals are victimized by cyberattacks. While current cybersecurity measures offer some protection, human error has been the number one cause of cyberattacks for the past eight years (Verizon, 2024). Cybercrime continues to evolve in complexity, leveraging advanced technology and human psychology to bypass traditional security systems. This study examines why individuals still fall victim to cyberattacks. It explores the psychological and cognitive factors that make individuals vulnerable, focusing on social engineering techniques such as phishing and pretexting. This study also analyzes factors from psychological theories, including Protection Motivation Theory, Routine …

From Likes To Legislation: How The Internet Has Facilitated Hate Speech, Anti-Dei Discourse And Policy, And Threatens Our Democracy, Carmen Lynn Benavides-Garb

Undergraduate Scholarship

I argue that the way hate speech, and Anti-DEI rhetoric spreads online, through social media and algorithms, has impacted real-world Anti-DEI policies, attitudes, and overall backlash. In this essay I will begin by discussing the four themes found in my literature review, 1) Online Hate Speech, 2) Social Media and Algorithms, 3) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and 4) Anti-DEI Movements. From there, I will discuss the historical background of DEI movements in America to provide context about what makes this moment in history unique. I will then discuss the role of the Trump Presidency in relation to Anti-DEI work. …

Selling Egg-Cellence: An Exploration Of Commercial Oocyte Donation And Genetic Determinism In 21st Century America, Abigail C. Oswald

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis examines the impact of genetic determinism on commercial egg donation in the United States. Through critical analysis of social media advertisements, online forums, and interviews, it argues that reductionist, genetically deterministic thinking drives the commodification of oocytes. Fertility agencies exploit assumptions about heritable traits (health, ethnicity, intelligence) to market "desirable" donors, influencing intended parents' choices and compensation hierarchies. Then the research explores how these same ideas shape perceptions of familial closeness in donor-conceived individuals and their parents, revealing mixed feelings surrounding genetic ties. This study highlights the complex interplay of biology, technology, and social constructs in defining family …

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 …

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.

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 …

Leveraging Apprenticeship In Place-Based Education To Advance Integrated Stem Learning, Brent Farrell

Indiana STEM Education Conference

Place-based education (PBE), which leverages local knowledge and community resources, is increasingly recognized as an effective approach to fostering STEM learning, especially in rural settings (Avery, 2013). Students from underrepresented rural populations could provide important contributions to the future STEM workforce if attracted to the disciplines during their K-12 education. Integrating real-world experiences with local industry expertise into the curriculum makes STEM more relevant and fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for future STEM careers. This research brief proposes a study on the positive effects of cognitive apprenticeship, grounded in rural PBE contexts, creating potential for increased efficacy for …

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 …

Proceedings Of The Tenth Annual Indiana Stem Education Conference: Generational Advances Through Stem Education, William S. Walker Iii, Lynn A. Bryan, S Selcen Guzey

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference are edited by the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST, https://www.education.purdue.edu/catalyst/) at Purdue University. The theme for the 2025 conference is Generational Advances through STEM Education. This year’s conference provides opportunities to learn about effective STEM education strategies, curriculum, and resources to engage students by considering the advances and impact of STEM.

Ginger: The Effect Of Illustrated Storybooks On Children’S Response And Teachers’ Facilitation In Stem Education, Defne Yabas, Tugba Abanoz, M. Sencer Corlu

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This study aims to explore children’s and teachers’ responses to the integration of illustrated storybook content into STEM activities in early childhood. The correlation between STEM content and illustrations in children's storybooks conveying scientific information is a crucial aspect that can impact children's learning of STEM. Studies have reported the utilization of storybooks in STEM education for young children (Abanoz & Yabaş, 2022; Pantoya et al., 2015), yet an absence of research has been noted regarding the impact of illustrated storybooks on children's engagement in STEM education. There is substantial research evidence that early childhood teachers have low self-efficacy beliefs …

Informal Education Experiences: Why Stem Camps Matter, Jeffrey A. Nowak, Dale Ruppert

Indiana STEM Education Conference

This research brief details some of the positive impacts of student participation in after-school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) camps provided by universities and informal education centers as described in published literature. In addition, the authors reviewed 2,841 anonymous participant surveys of 1^st-12^th grade students involved in nineteen STEM camps held at Purdue University Fort Wayne from 2019-2024 for related findings. Findings indicate that providing an enjoyable and enriching learning environment for STEM camps can foster a mindset of curiosity and a love for learning. Students who attend STEM camps likewise often experience a range of …