Stander Symposium Projects

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  Attitudes Towards Service Dogs In-Training

  Lindsey Person

  This study looked at people’s attitudes towards having service dogs in-training in a classroom setting. Specifically, this study looked at attitudes of students, handlers (primary caretakers of the service dog in-training), and professors at the University of Dayton towards having the 4 Paws for Ability Service Dogs in-training in the classroom. People in general are hypothesized to have positive attitudes towards in-training service dogs in the classroom, but any negative attitudes could be due to the dogs being distracting, causing allergic reactions, or for religious reasons. Students and handlers are hypothesized to have positive attitudes towards in-training service dogs. Instructors are hypothesized to have attitudes towards in-training service dogs that will be mostly positive, but perhaps a little less due to the possibility of dogs being distracting in class. The sample included 123 students, 3 handlers, and 12 instructors. Attitudes were measured using the Coleman Dog Attitude Scale and 12 additional questions about attitudes towards service dogs in training in the classroom. The results showed that overall attitudes towards having the service dogs in the classroom were positive from the perspective of the students, handlers, and instructors.

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  Authentic Materials in Language Learning

  Nills Alesandro Rojas Mora

  While the benefits of authentic materials in language instruction are well known, some teachers do not feel confident in implementing them into their classrooms. A group of spanish-speaking English learners were exposed to a series of lesson plans that include authentic materials to exemplify the importance of using realia in the classroom. This project aims to offer language teachers an insight on the benefits of exposing students to authentic materials and strategies to effectively incorporate them into regular lesson plans. The study shows aspects that teachers need to consider when using authentic materials in their classrooms and the researcher’s reflections for more appropriate uses of these resources in language instruction.

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  Automated Bird Classification using Deep Learning

  Kasturi Avinash Jamale

  In this work, we introduce a novel approach to bird classification using deep learning methods. Leveraging YouTube videos, we collect annotated data for training a model capable of accurately identifying bird species. Our model is designed to handle various environmental factors and achieves high classification accuracy across diverse bird species. This work contributes to advancing automated bird classification techniques, offering valuable applications in ecological monitoring and conservation efforts.

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  Automatic Basketball Formation Recognition

  Saivedant Hava

  In this research work, we aim to develop an Automatic Basketball Formation Recognition system utilizing video analysis techniques. Through computer vision and machine learning, the system identifies and categorizes basketball formations observed in game footage. This enables coaches and analysts to gain valuable insights into team strategies and player positioning. The system's effectiveness offers a practical tool for enhancing basketball match analysis and strategic planning.

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  A Writing of One's Own: Research Findings and Experiences of HISTORY CAPSTONE STUDENTS, Spring 2024

  Reece Blackmore, Maria Gomez, Logan C. Miller, Ellen C. Moore, Riley M. Smith

  The History Capstone Students will be presenting on original research conducted during the Spring 2024. In addition to findings that cover the 19th -21st centuries and reach across the globe, students will reflect on their experiences with writing in community as part of the capstone they created.Reece Blackmore, Running Saddam Hussein's Gauntlet: Iraqi Persecution of Shia Muslims during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) María Estefanía Gómez Bibiloni, A State's Right: Puerto Rico and the Struggles Over Independence in the Twentieth CenturyLogan Miller, Authoritarian Pluralism: Japan and a Big Tent for FascismEllen Moore, Whose Home on the Range? African American Cowboys and the Mythology of the American Frontier in FilmAidan Mornhinweg, Napoleon's Mind's Eye: The French Campaign of 1812 and BeyondRiley Smith, The Lives of the Winter Palace: The Lasting Legacy of Imperial Russia in Place, Space, and Time

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  Banksy: The Street Artist and Activist

  Emily J. Bryan

  This THR/VAR 250 Diversity in the Creative and Performing Arts poster presentation project requires each student to research and present on a topic relevant to the interdisciplinary fields of visual and performing arts through a critical multicultural and social justice lens that foregrounds the appreciation of diversity and enables the expansion of personal cultural competencies.

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  Beavers at Glen Helen Nature Preserve

  Dustin Jacob Holmes

  Ecosystem engineers are vital for natural areas, having a large impact on species richness and ecosystem health. An example is the North American beaver (Castor canadensis). Around three years ago a beaver colony began to build a dam in Glen Helen Nature Reserve (Yellow Springs, OH). This has caused significant flooding of the stream that the dam was built on and an opening of the canopy due to the beavers removing many large trees within the area. Our aim was to study what trees the beavers preferred over others and what new species had arrived in the area since the beavers constructed the dam. For this objective, we marked trees that showed signs of beaver activity with numbered tags and recorded their diameter at breast height (DBH) and whether beavers were actively using them or not. Once all of the chewed trees were recorded, we measured and identified the four closest trees without beaver activity. We surveyed 24 trees with beaver activity and 36 undamaged trees. It was found that maples were most preferred by beavers and their preferred size of tree was 18-36 DBH. As for new species, we worked with an expert birder based at Glen Helen who had been collecting data on the preserve’s birds for many years. The new species since the construction of the dam include but are not limited to the green heron (Butorides virescens), prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), and the mourning warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia). In addition to birds, some new herps have also been found in the pond such as an eastern spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera). We intend to disseminate this data to the preserve staff so that proper conservation and management practices can be implemented to protect the beavers and any new species in the area.

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  Behavioral responses of two color morphs of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) to novel urban environments

  Amy Q. Friemoth

  Human modified landscapes can provide challenging new environments that can lead to rapid changes in species traits. In temperate forest ecosystems, salamanders play a critical role in forest floor dynamics, but populations are now faced with rapid habitat change, which can lead local extinctions unless these species behaviorally adapt. The Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus, is the most common salamander species in Ohio and serves as a model species for examining the effects of anthropogenic change. Further, the Eastern Red-backed Salamander poses two common color morphs (striped and unstriped) that appear to differ in their responses to environmental change. Here, I investigated how urbanization differentially influences behavioral responses of the two color morphs of the Eastern Red-backed Salamander. I collected 20 striped and 20 unstriped individuals from Caesar Creek State Park, Ohio. I exposed them to a novel environment (cement paver) and novel objects (anthropogenic waste) to test exploration and neophobia behaviors. We are examining these variations in behavior and will run statistical models to test whether the morphs differ in their behavioral responses to these anthropogenic pressures. Based on previous studies, we expect the striped morph to display more bold behaviors and ultimately do better with urbanization. This work will highlight whether both color morphs persist with rapid habitat modification which will have important implications for other North American salamanders as many species share the same color phenotypes and may be responding similarly.

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  Benefits of a Community Reentry Intervention for Reentry Self-Efficacy in Homeless Shelter Residents With Past Incarceration

  Kathryn E. Hurley

  The U.S. has one of the highest levels of incarceration and recidivism in the world (American Civil Liberties Union, 2022; U.S. Department of Justice, n.d). Several factors contribute to recidivism, including the loss of monetary funds and loss of housing upon incarceration. Homelessness especially predicts recidivism. It has been found to increase the risk of recidivism by almost 50% (Jacobs & Gottlieb, 2020). Within the context of a long-term ongoing participatory community action research project in homeless shelters (Reeb et al., 2024), this study examined the benefit of reentry support sessions within the homeless shelter environment, with an attempt to overcome barriers in utilizing community resources. Twenty previously incarcerated, unhoused men participated in a reentry support session within St. Vincent De Paul’s Gateway Shelter for Men (Dayton, Ohio). The reentry support session was developed in collaboration with the Montgomery County (Ohio) Office of Reentry. Participants completed a measure of self-efficacy for community reentry at pre- and post-session, followed by a brief interview to identify their plans for obtaining reentry services in the community. In support of Hypothesis 1, it was found that the self-efficacy for coping with community reentry improved from pre- to post-intervention. Consistent with hypothesis 2, residents both with and without a disability benefited from the session at approximately equal levels. Post-session interviews revealed that a majority of residents expressed intentions to obtain additional reentry-related resources. Keywords: recidivism, community reentry, homeless, disability, self-efficacy, participatory community action research in homeless shelters

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  Beyond Skin Deep: new photographic works by Elena Bellisario

  Elena Aniella Bellisario

  Elena Bellisario’s senior Captstone photography project, Beyond Skin Deep, explores her relationship with the body as it relates to her own experiences and perceptions of womanhood from a young age. Utilizing friends and found objects as symbols and co-conspirators, she works through her struggles with gender identity, using the camera to gain an outsider’s perspective. In the process, she asks questions that trouble many who are female-identifying, such as “Is it alright if I want to show off my body or should I cover it up? Do I dress up nice for male validation or for myself? Is it ok if I still want to be skinny or is that not body positive?” Her photographs and related research from this cathartic journey ultimately question societal norms surrounding femininity, body image, and self-worth, revealing both unique complexities and shared struggles within womanhood.Beyond Skin Deep will be on view in Fitz Hall's Radial Gallery through the end of April.

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  Beyond Technology: Social Predictors of Energy Efficiency in Industrial Facilities

  Garret B. Cowdery

  Energy is the lifeblood of the industrialized world with electrical energy expected by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to increase 25% between 2016 to 2050 in the United States. Combined with the ever-present climate crisis, energy-efficient buildings are becoming increasingly important to conserve resources and alleviate strain on aging energy systems. The Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) program through the US Department of Energy aims to reduce the consumption of large, single-site energy users, industrial and commercial buildings, through comprehensive energy audits. Such investigations find that energy-efficient structures are a technological challenge as much as social. The mentality of building occupants towards energy use strongly impacts the efficiency of the building with the energy conscientiousness of the inhabitants being a key factor in maximizing theoretical performance. Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) is a social phenomenon where communities rise in opposition to controversial facilities that serve to upset community wellbeing. These are generally energy-intensive projects that may detract from the natural beauty or environmental health of an area. The negative reaction originates from difficult-to-measure factors such as personal attitudes and trust between involved parties but can be loosely predicted by specific demographic quantities. This investigation aimed to primarily analyze the quantity, scale, and quality of community energy systems at the county level of Ohio in conjunction with collected IAC data and NIMBY demographics to identify potential external predictors for industrial energy intensity based on NIMBY sensitivity. Ultimately, only a weak correlation is found between industrial facility energy usage and the listed attributes, but the investigation paints a vivid demography of people, energy resources, and industrial agglomeration while emphasizing and supporting the need for continual research into the social functions that drive technical success.

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  Bias Analysis with ChatGPT

  Shravanth Reddy Reddy, Harish Pavan Rolla

  This research investigates the efficacy of bias protection in ChatGPT, a leading AI conversational model. In particular, we systematically examine ChatGPT's responses and measure biases using the Bias Protection Rate (BPR), considering a hierarchical structure that includes Identity Biases, such as Gender and Religion, among others. We employed a methodical approach, incorporating specific prompts and questions designed to elicit unfiltered responses from ChatGPT. The results, presented through visualizations, illustrate the varying degrees of bias protection across domains. While the model exhibits effective protection against sexual orientation bias, with a BPR of 73.2%, both confirmation bias and income bias score 0%, indicating a complete lack of protection. These findings prompt discussions on the continuous refinement of these models and ethical considerations.

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  Black Hollywood

  Achille Kpeya

  This THR/VAR 250 Diversity in the Creative and Performing Arts poster presentation project requires each student to research and present on a topic relevant to the interdisciplinary fields of visual and performing arts through a critical multicultural and social justice lens that foregrounds the appreciation of diversity and enables the expansion of personal cultural competencies.

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  Black Male Queerness and the Poetic Performance of Survival

  Ophelia Danielle Knight

  The poetry produced by queer black men tells of the intersecting ideals of racism, cultural norms and expectations of masculinity, and the homophobia that directly impacts the ways in which Black queer men exist in any space. I believe this poetry allows for insight and cultural nuance of safety and agency. Throughout my research of the poetry chosen it became obvious to me that forcing gendered ideals onto these people requires assimilation and controlled conformity, emphasizing that intersectional bonds can not be ignored. I argue that if queer Black men are to exist, they must be stereotypically “queer” in the way that tropes have depicted, within the poetry I have analyzed they must feed into stereotypes, hide their queerness, or they must escape the bonds of heteronormative expectations. The poetry depicts their sexuality and gender as a performance, a dance of survival Black queer men must practice and execute regularly in order to be visible in both racial and queer society. The performance of stereotypical queerness expressed within the poetry of Black queer male poets exemplifies the way in which queerness enables modes of survival.

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  Breaking Barriers: Judith Hernandez and the Evolving Narrative of Women Artists in the Art World

  Giselle Franco

  In this presentation, we dive into the captivating world of Judithe Hernandez, a trailblazing Latina artist whose work transcends boundaries and challenges conventional perceptions. Through an exploration of Hernandez's life and artistry, we examine the intricate intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, and artistic expression within the broader context of the art world. We navigate the complexities of how women artists, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, are historically perceived and positioned within art institutions. Drawing upon Hernandez's impactful contributions and experiences, we critically analyze the prevailing narratives and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable future for women artists in the evolving landscape of contemporary art. Join us as we celebrate Hernandez's indelible legacy and ignite conversations about representation, empowerment, and the transformative potential of art.

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  Breaking the Chains of Birth: Gandhi and the Untouchables

  Lorena G. Idris

  What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.

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  Bridging the Divide: Unraveling Achievement Gaps Among Multilingual Students

  Elizabeth Grace Krahe

  With an ever increasing number of students learning English as a second language in the United States, it’s important to be aware of the achievement gap between multilingual and monolingual students, and work to find solutions. Existing literature from the past five years highlights that (1) the achievement gap exists as a result of labeling and grouping students based on English language capability, (2) the importance of literacy proficiency in closing the achievement gap, and (3) the importance of self-efficacy in closing the achievement gap.

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  Bridging The Gap: Preparing Students with Disabilities for College

  Oliver Frederic Shroyer

  The College transition can be difficult for any student- whether that is preparing academically or just preparing for the day to day life as a college student. By going through these articles and highlighting the effective strategies such as individualized learning plans, the evolution of educational online institutions, and the development of self advocacy skills, it will help students prepare for college and life beyond schooling.

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  Buffer Areas Are Critical Reservoirs for Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization in Solar Prairies

  Jacquelyn K. Amaya, Abigail G. Carter, Madelaine Claire Gregory, Alexander W. Owens

  Mycorrhizal fungi are a naturally occurring beneficial root fungus. Over ninety percent of all vascular land plants live in association with this fungus (www.sciweb.nybg.org). This mutualistic relationship is vital for both the plant and the fungus, due to the exchange of sugars and fixed carbons in return for water and nutrients. An important new use of land for both native plant expansion and clean energy production is solar prairies. Solar prairies are protected zones of native prairie plants that also collect energy through the use of rows of solar panels. While a source of clean energy and a haven for these natural species, the solar panels erected on these prairies create shadowed areas. Our research team aims to study the potential effects of this shading on mycorrhizal fungi colonization in the University of Dayton’s Solar Prairie. A total of 10 soil samples with 3 replicates at each sample were collected to test for colonization of mycorrhizal fungi for each area of the prairie with possible varying light availability. These three areas include a buffer which is an important area of a solar prairie due to the absence of panel shading and full light exposure, an area between panels with partial shading, and an area under panels with almost full shading of the understory. We evaluated colonization in plant roots by extracting roots from the soil in petri dishes with ethanol and recording total roots and amount of roots with mycorrhizal fungi. Data was analyzed to find the variance and percentage of mycorrhizal establishment for each measurement location. Our research group found that colonization of Mycorrhizal Fungi decreased with the distance from the buffer, with the buffer indicating the highest colonization. These results are important for future solar prairie planning, with an emphasis on larger buffer zones.

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  Building a Strong Foundation: Sense of Belonging and Engagement at the Community College in Preparation for Transfer

  Maria Katlyn Ryan

  The purpose of this study was to explore transfer students’ experiences at the community college in preparation of transferring to a four-year institution. The participants consisted of students currently enrolled in the University of Dayton/Sinclair Academy, including pre- and post-transfer students. I used qualitative, semi-structured interviews to collect data on transfer students’ individual experiences at the community college level around sense of belonging and engagement in preparation for transfer. Participants focused heavily on academic engagement, rather than social engagement, and found belonging with peers in the academic settings. The UDSA program provided a sense of belonging before transferring to UD. These findings can help community colleges strengthen their practices to increase the number of transfer students successfully transferring to four-year institutions and graduating with a bachelor’s degree.

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  Building Bridges, Removing Barriers: Academic Advising and Articulation Experiences of Community College Transfer Students

  Amanda J. Alexander

  Community college students make up 38% of the U.S. college student population. However, only 13% of those students transfer to a four-year institution and complete a bachelor’s degree in six years. Although research has documented the many challenges community college students experience, it has been less successful in exploring specific challenges and their impact on the transfer student experience for students without the aid of a transfer pathway program. The purpose of this study is to examine experiences in academic advising and transfer credit articulation and how these areas have helped or hindered community college students without pathway program assistance. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, interviews were conducted with nine community college transfer students at a four-year private university in the Midwest. Analysis of the interview data indicated credit loss, unclear transfer credit policies, and inconsistent advising practices across academic units were significant factors in the students’ timeline to bachelor’s degree completion. Higher education institutions may use these findings to improve the community college transfer student experience by fostering a transfer-friendly academic environment that includes consistency across academic units in the implementation of transfer credit policy and high-quality academic advising.

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  Butterfly in the Sky: Methods to Reintroduce the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

  Lucy L. Reed, Joseph W. Reichel

  Insect populations are declining across the globe. The goal of this project is to aid in the reintroduction of the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly species, that is one of the declining species, to Montgomery County by creating a sustaining population at the Spring Run Conservation Area in collaboration with the Five Rivers MetroParks. This species is experiencing population decline throughout the Eastern United States due to habitat loss from agriculture, land development, and invasive species. The Baltimore Checkerspot can only utilize a few plant species, and it feeds on the White Turtlehead plant. To reintroduce this species, we first monitored for Checkerspot caterpillars in early May. Adult Checkerspots were then collected in early June from the already existing wetland at Siebenthaler Fen, where a population of this species is known. Males and females were then placed in an enclosure with White Turtlehead plants to encourage mating and egg-laying. Once eggs were laid, the adults were re-released into Siebenthaler Fen, and the egg clusters were kept in rearing enclosures at the Cox Arboretum MetroPark greenhouse. During the fall semester, we visited the greenhouse twice weekly to monitor their development and have been trying different methods to further encourage their growth. Once a week, I took measurements of caterpillar head capsule sizes to not only monitor growth, but to hopefully create a definitive way to determine what instar a caterpillar is currently in, as this has not been documented before for this particular species. At the end of the fall semester, the 232 caterpillars that survived were placed underground in clay pots while they overwinter. When temperatures become warm enough, we will begin the rearing process again at Cox Arboretum. When the caterpillars reach a large enough size, they will be released into Spring Run where they can hopefully begin a self-sustaining population.

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  Can Creativity be Assessed?

  Mae E. Wilhite

  This research paper dives into the multifaceted realm of assessing creativity in art education. By unpacking types of non-creative ideas proposed by scholars, this paper provides insights into the negations of creativity, facilitating a deeper understanding of its essence. By synthesizing insights this paper offers a roadmap for art educators to nurture creativity as a cornerstone of modern education, empower students to thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic world, and the challenges of assessing student artwork.

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  Candle Glass Inventory and Ordering Optimization

  Alla Ali Moosa Al Balushi, Ryan Edward Dowling, Joseph P. Melillo

  MIS and OPS Senior Capstone Projects include small teams of 3 or 4 senior students working weekly with a company/organization to solve a real business problem. These projects extend for the complete undergrad senior year including both Fall and Spring semesters. Students act as Project Consultants and Managers to guide the project from inception until conclusion by delivering solutions and deliverables to the client. Students produce project documentation and formal presentations at multiple stages of the project and conclude with presentations to the supporting Client's Leadership Team.

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  Can Endurance Training Help Reduce the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression?

  Kaitlyn Ann Miller

  According to recent studies, mental health disorders are an increasing issue among individuals and society as a whole. It is found that over half of the college aged students have met the criteria for anxiety and depression. Research shows that engagement in physical acticity can improve symptoms around anxiety and depression. The purpose of this research project is to better understand specifically how endurance training can help to improve symptoms of mental health disorders.