Celebration of Student Research & Creativity
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These are unpublished student works submitted for NKU's annual Celebration of Student Research & Creativity event.
For programs, publicity and similar publications about this event, go to Institute for Student Research & Creative Activity>Publications>Celebration of Student Research and Creativity.
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Item The Degradation of the Small Farm and its Transnational Effects(Northern Kentucky University, 2019-04) Bryant, KathleenItem Word World: Making Grammar Fun(Northern Kentucky University) Heiert, Danielle; Darby, Kendra; Bluford, Lauren; Pipes, Rachel; Dreyer, AutumnItem Energy Reconstruction in the ISS-CREAM Calorimeter(Northern Kentucky University) Frame, EmilyThe ISS-CREAM instrument was launched to the International Space Station in 2017 to study the composition of cosmic rays, which are charged particles from outer space. The calorimeter (CAL) is a detector that measures the fraction of the particle’s energy that is deposited in the CAL. The particles’ energies are reconstructed using simulations that compare the energy deposited in the CAL to the original particle energy. This study explored different parameters of the reconstruction process. Specifically, we looked at the method of characterizing the mean deposited energy, the choice of function to fit the data, and sensitivity to energy threshold.Item The Effects of Clicker Training on Stress in Communally Housed Shelter CatsVerdino, SavanaStress is a major concern regarding shelter cat populations, as it has many health and behavioral implications that could prolong their stay in a shelter environment. Many studies have looked at stress reduction methods in individually housed cats, but not those housed in communal rooms. This study focused on these communally housed cats and the effects that clicker training had on their stress levels. It was found that after six sessions, cats exhibited significantly lower overall stress scores. This suggests that clicker training could assist in improving the welfare and adoptability of communally housed shelter cats.Item Minimum Wage; Effects on lifestyle based on regulations and laws(Northern Kentucky University) Stoll, KelseyMy focus for this presentation was to research the aspects and characteristics that play a role in deciding minimum wage rules and regulations, such as disability, age, breaks and laws passed by congress in order to have a set order for the world to follow.Item Teenage Mothers: Attainment of Education(Northern Kentucky University) Johnson, Katie"Although teen pregnancy has decreased nationwide over the last several years, the US is still one of the highest in the developed countries in teenage pregnancies. The social and educational risk factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy are crucial in understanding what needs to be done in order to provide support and resources for teenage mothers. One of the biggest challenges teenage mothers face is graduating from high school. Most teenage mothers will drop out of high school because of the stigmatization associated with early pregnancy. Statistics show that only 10% of mothers between the ages of 13-17 graduate from high school. The socio-economic outcomes have been the focus on research of teenage parents, often finding a negative impact on employment. Education can mitigate these negative outcomes. This complex problem can be viewed through a psychological and educational lens and the policies and programs that can or should be available to help with teenage moms attaining an education are vital to the research I will be completing. The gap between teenage mothers’ aspirations and the support they receive suggest that more can be done on an educational platform and there is a missed opportunity to help these young women."Item Childhood Obesity in Low Income Households(Northern Kentucky University) Harves, Adam"Research shows that low- income households are more likely to be obese due to less nutrient dense food options in their restaurants, food pantries, and grocery stores. Previous studies have concluded that low SES plays a significant role in the Nations childhood obesity problem. Nutritious foods have become more expensive and less accessible over the years. While nutrient dense foods are expensive, low-cost diets are providing “more energy”. The results suggest that people need to be aware of what they are donating to food pantries and grocery stores in low-income areas need to have healthier cheaper options. Childhood obesity in low-income households is important because everyone deserves to have access to healthy options"Item Impact of Mentoring Perceptions on Grade Point Average(Northern Kentucky University) Keller, NoelleMentoring relationships can have a positive impact on academic performance in college students. Students engaged in mentoring relationships have shown improved grades and retention rates, but there are few studies focused on the mentee’s mentoring perceptions. This study aims to explore mentoring perceptions and academic performance through grade point average (GPA). Anticipated findings will endorse that students who have more positive mentoring perceptions have higher GPAs. An online survey was used to collect data from 100 NKU students. Results will inform the NKU community on the impact of mentoring perceptions on GPA.Item The impact of gender-stereotypic perception of occupations on evaluations of prestige, earnings and value of society.(Northern Kentucky University) Gerwert, Jacob; Hall, Kenzie; Walz, Kaitlyn; Anderson, Aaron; Yocum, PeytonThis study builds on previous research in three major ways: (1) re-examining the factor structure of the six gender-stereotypic attributes identified 20+ years ago (Cejka & Eagly, 1999), (2) systematically selecting a variety of occupations spanning social classes (i.e., traditionally blue/pink collar jobs & masculine/feminine white collar jobs), and (3) employing a unique sampling design in which participants were randomly assigned to stimuli that were randomly sampled (Wells & Windschitl, 1999; Judd, Westfall, & Kenny, 2014).Item Climate Change: The Change Leaders Disregard(Northern Kentucky University) Clarke, KateIn today’s world, climate change is almost seen as the new “normal.” People do not remember what the environment was like before the dramatic changes we see now. My research is designed to shine a light on the actions our leaders could be taking to stop climate change but are not, by emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to leadership for climate change mitigation. It will also highlight leaders who have engaged in positive actions against climate change and are now thriving.Item Rise in College Tuition(Northern Kentucky University) Denham, MariahWith the rising cost of tuition many people question if a college education is really worth it. Research shows that middle-class students are less likely to receive non-loan aid and more likely to take out higher loan amounts which can link to lower GPA’s. A brief self-administered survey will be used to assess for the academic well-being of NKU middle class students. The results from this IRB approved study are expected to show the negative impact higher loan amounts have on NKU’s middle-class students. The results will bridge the gap in research and give an accurate representation of the middle-class.Item Virtual Leadership(Northern Kentucky University) Helmer, Curtis"Leading in a virtual environment has been a growing phenomenon with the growing availability of technologies that support real-time global connections and conferencing. Never has this skill set been more important than in the year 2020 as the global economy faced a worldwide pandemic that required every organization to rethink their strategies for doing business and supporting their employees, customers, and global networks. This study explores existing literature on virtual leadership to identify key factors of effective virtual leadership and employee engagement."Item Interest in Intergenerational Research: Social Connection and Loneliness as Predictors(Northern Kentucky University) Johnson, VivianeThis project aimed to understand variables affecting young adults’ interest in an intergenerational contact study. Undergraduate participants (N = 150) completed baseline measures and indicated their interest in a 6-week study communicating with an older adult partner. Significant predictors of likelihood to participate included loneliness (p = .03) and social connectedness (p = .009).Item The Old and New Conceptions of Genre: A Recipe for Writers(Northern Kentucky University) Garland, LucieyEnglish studies recognizes genre to classify literature and films based on its form and content. Previously, English scholars looked at the diction, syntax, tone, etc. that a text used; however, there’s an evolving system of rules that goes well beyond these formal elements. My project is a textbook chapter for undergraduate students and professors of English that presents new ways to teach genre. Specifically, it addresses how rhetorical and social situations need to be addressed before teaching genre as they improve student writing. I include activities and discussion questions to teach and facilitate the learning of rhetorical and social situations.Item Differential Photometry Image Processing with the NKU 14-inch Telescope(Northern Kentucky University) Dodge, DavidNKU’s Schneider Observatory, located on campus atop Founder’s Hall, features a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope mounted on a German equatorial mount with computer control capabilities. This telescope was brought online over the summer of 2019. The larger size of this telescope coupled with a SBIG STT-3200ME CCD and Johnson filter set, allows us to do precision differential photometry of variable objects. As part of testing the system’s differential photometry capabilities, we took data on several targets, including variable stars and transiting exoplanets.Item Identification of the enzyme required for the acp3U modification in plastidic tRNA(Northern Kentucky University) Spigelmyer, Sarah M.Defects in human tRNA modifications are associated with diseases such as cancer, type two diabetes, neurological disorders, and mitochondrial-linked disorders. The acp3U modification on tRNA is found in bacteria, plants, and animals, but not in yeast. Two recent papers reported that DTW-domain proteins are required for the acp3U modification in bacteria (tapT) and in humans (DTWD2). Three DTWD2 homologs were identified in plants. This research seeks to determine the function of these homologs in plants, and if one of them is responsible for acp3U formation on tRNA in chloroplasts by utilizing yeast and primer extension assays.Item Ending Homelessness(Northern Kentucky University) Conn, AustinThe issue of homelessness is an increasingly complex and current problem worth the attention of our nation. This research project proposes to provide an interdisciplinary approach which will help swing our country back into the mindset of continuing to battle homelessness. The approach outlined in this research will use a combination of strategy from the field of Criminal Justice, History, and Psychology. The approach will concentrate on the treatment and adaptation of services with the law enforcement and mental health professionals.Item Square-Diamond Landscape Implementation(Northern Kentucky University) Clarke, Mary"Many implementations of the square-diamond algorithm have been created to further explore this type of fractal. The square-diamond fractal can be easily visualized by starting with four points. The midpoint of the resulting square creates diamonds; the midpoints of these diamonds create squares. This is repeated for the desired number of divisions. With Dr. Steven Wilkinson, I created a new implementation for the three- dimensional representation of this fractal using Wolfram Mathematica. The ""landscape"" function assigns random height values to every point to form a 3D graphic."Item Use of social media as a weapon: the misuse of social media as a tool to harass and defame(Northern Kentucky University) Hicks, TylerThe presentation seeks to explain the issue regarding the misuse of social media as a tool to harass others and the overall lack of repercussions against those who misuse social media.Item Kinship Care and Delinquent Behaviors: The Experience of NKU Students(Northern Kentucky University) Vaughn, TaylorKinship care can be defined as any adult raising a non-biological child. Parent’s and caregiver’s interactions with children can directly impact social and behavioral development of children. This study used data gathered from surveys, completed on NKU’s campus, of students ages 18 or older to examine the relationship being raised in kinship care has on the prevalence of delinquent behavior in NKU students. This study expects to find a positive correlation between being raised in kinship care and delinquent behavior. These findings will help to educate NKU on what services are necessary to mitigate this relationship.