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  Research exercise: Qualitative Study of an SIR epidemic model with an asymptotically homogeneous transmission function

  Karoline E. Hoffman

  I will be exploring and analyzing an SIR epidemic model. This particular model has an asymptotically homogeneous transmission function which means the transmission rate is proportional to the fraction of the number of infective individuals to the total population. I will also look at a qualitative analysis of the model and then discuss the implications of the results of the model.

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  Research exercise: Review of Relevant Literature: Developing Social Consciousness through Young Adult Literature

  Megan R. Abbate

  This project consists of a Review of the Literature as a preliminary component of a developing Honors thesis regarding young adult literature. In their formative years, American children and teens often encounter and even incorporate ethnocentric biases into their ways of thinking. Some young adult fiction can reinforce these ideas. The aim of this research project is to present readings in which young adult literature can foster a more global and open-minded outlook which will allow young adults to recognize commonalities, overlook differences, and promote tolerance. At the same time, the researcher intends to consider the way notions of globalism interact with notions of universalism, and how young adult literature contributes to this conversation. This study will contribute to the larger body of scholarship as it questions some notions of American ethnocentrism in order to consider a more culturally relative outlook; at the same time, it will explore the way assertions such as universal human rights function in conjunction with notions of relativity. This thesis will demonstrate ways in which young adult literature can affect social change through both a recognition of commonalities and respect for differences. The objective of the preliminary Review of Literature will be to gather other scholarship in this arena, study, compare, contrast, and synthesize it, and position the new research within the larger body of existing scholarship.

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  Research exercise: Sexual Assault on College Campus

  Kristen R. Ashley, Katherine A. Braunscheidel, Megan A. Collins, Alexandria L. Digby, Amy E. Fox, Allison M. Herbe, Emily F. Hoelter, Ellen A. Mack, Eleanor W. Mccormick, Jack C. Pearson, Travis D. Pescatrice, Kelly N. Plazibat, Justin A. Woods

  This project includes stories, fact sheets and announcements designed to educate students about the problem and effects of sexual assaults that occur on college campuses. This work also includes information about the many resources available at the University of Dayton to help victims and their loved ones. The materials are being used to promote activities being held at UD during April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness month.

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  Research exercise: Social Integration and Implementation in the Classroom

  Amy M. Sullivan

  Social learning and interaction in regards to students with disabilities, is a crucial aspect towards creating full integration in the classroom. Social integration is a term used to describe âa studentâs full participation in the social interactions of the school community, including their acceptance by others as an integral part of the schoolâs social networkâ (Webster and Carter, 2007, p. 200). Not only students with disabilities, but general education students as well, will benefit from social interactions. Friendships are important and the impact it has helps to redefine social skills, creates support systems, and helps students to learn values (Carter and Hughes, 2005). It is important to find ways to incorporate social interactions into the classroom, so that students with disabilities feel more comfortable and can improve on their social skills.

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  Research exercise: S&P Valuation Modeling: An Empirical Analysis 1999-2011

  Matthew J. Buse

  The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a quantitative approach to S&P 500 sector weighting based on relative valuation measures for four factors: earnings, valuation, profitability, and safety or risk. The returns to the sectors based on relative valuation weights are compared to S&P 500 returns over the period 1999-2011 to determine if excess returns are generated.

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  Research exercise: Study Abroad for Prospective Teachers

  Emily F. Powers

  Teacher education students often lack the cultural education and international exposure they need to effectively teach when they graduate and have classrooms of their own. Cultural awareness and adaptability to diversity are very important skills for teachers to have. However, research shows that prospective teachers do not have and do not receive the international education that is necessary for them to teach effectively. Study abroad is an excellent way for prospective teachers to gain international experience and knowledge for their profession as educators. "Gaining the knowledge, skills, and attitudes through an international experience is no longer just the interest of individual students. It has now become a priority of the collective" (Lewin, 2009). Study abroad can have significant impact on prospective educators as well as global citizens. As the United States becomes more diverse, it is important that educators are able to relate and identify with their diverse students. Unfortunately, teacher education students do not have ample opportunity to study abroad. Teacher education students that do study abroad, however, benefit tremendously in that they are impacted both personally and professionally. Although many teacher education students do not get the chance to study abroad, it is an extremely effective means to gain cultural awareness and thus become better educators to their diverse students.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on Differences Across Schools and Classrooms

  Libby M. Durnwald, Annemarie Fisher, Carissa A. Madderom, Emily L. Mobley, Laura M. Tighe

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to differences across schools and classrooms.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on Evaluation of p - 12 Teachers

  Emily N. Ferguson, Stephanie M. Lutz, Sarah E. Sercu, Daniel S. Zillich

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to p - 12 teacher evaluation.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on Extracurricular Activities in p - 12 Schools

  Katherine E. Penny, Samantha N. Potocek

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to extracurricular activities in p - 12 schools.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on Factors Related to p - 12 Student Achievement

  Tori R. Kistner, Brigid R. Kovach, Hannah A. Schmidt, Conor W. Squier

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to p - 12 student achievement.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on Gender Segregation in Schools

  Magdalene L. Egan, Emily F. Hoelter, Abigail E. Kindt, Kelly M. Kraus

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to gender segregation in schools.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on Inclusion and Students with Disabilities

  Tara M. Barboza, Carla M. Knapke, Taylor M. Parks, Mary p. Savord, Bethany L. Vannoy

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to inclusion and students with disabilities.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on School Curriculum

  Kathryn C. Auletto, Alexandra R. Brizzi, Laura A. Donohue, Gabrielle M. Mattes

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to p - 12 school curriculum.

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  Research exercise: Syntheses of Research on Technology and Schools

  Amy E. Fox, Megan E. Sullivan, Alexander A. Wade

  Presentations will synthesize current research and thought on a variety of topics related to technology in schools.

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  Research exercise: Teaching and Learning to Make a Difference

  Kathryn M. Schilling, Lisa C. VonDrasek, Katherine A. Zikias

  The Building Communities through Social Justice Learning and Living Cohort (BCSJLLC) helps students understand the importance of social justice and its impact on communities while providing students with opportunities to grow as leaders. Its primary mission is literacy and many BSCJLLC members tutored students in the community. Members were trained by our community partner, Project READ, to tutor students in K-8 and young adults. Project READ then placed us at the Dayton Early College Academy (DECA). DECA is adjacent to the University of Dayton and is focused on preparing students for college. We tutored three students in the seventh and eighth grade. In the course of our service, we learned how much difference one or two hours a week can in helping a student to pursue a higher education. Our service included helping students with the homework that is most difficult for them (usually math), and reiterating key concepts that the students had difficulty with. Those of us that tutored were pleased to learn that many of our students' grades were improved as a result of our relationships. Plunges at UD are are also a way of civic engagement. The Immigration and Refugee Plunge. sponsored by the Center for Social Concern, took place on March 24th, 2012. This experience allowed us to see and experience first-hand the problems associated with the immigration application process for those seeking to enter the United States. While on campus, we were shown documentaries about the immigration process and held discussions with immigrants who had direct experience immigrating into the US. The time we spent performing service in our community and learning about the ways we can impact legislation regarding the issues around immigration all reinforces our commitment to social justice and epitomizes and employs the Marianist ideals of lead, learn, and serve.

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  Research exercise: Teaching Strategies, Methods, and Procedures for English Language Learners in Early Childhood Education

  Ashley E. Stoetzel

  With a dramatic growth in the number of children who are learning English as a second language in the United States, it is important for teachers to know strategies that allow these English language learners (ELLs) to participate in the classroom experiences and continue to develop and learn at an appropriate rate. This project examines the instructional strategies, methods, and procedures used with children in an early childhood setting who have a primary language other than English in the home. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of published, peer-reviewed studies and articles on ELL will be included in this study. Some of the researched methods used in early childhood settings have been validated whereas others only appear to work on a case-by-case basis. The project will include the evidence based methods effectively used in early childhood settings with ELLs.

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  Research exercise: The Difference We Make is in the Doing

  Emily J. Buroker, Kelly A. Schlarman, Olivia A. Wilcox

  As active members of the Building Community through Social Justice Learning and Living Cohort, we are helping to build and improve the community we live in. Our cohort's mission is to promote literacy. The non-profit agency Project READ taught us special techniques for working with younger students in grades K-8. Some of these techniques were determining if the student is an auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learner. They also taught us how color can help a student learn better. We tutor in an after school tutoring program at the Holy Angels Elementary School. Our mission is to help improve the students vocabulary and reading ability. We encourage and support our students learning by assisting them with their reading skills. As we develop personal relationships with our students, we are able to encourage their learning by being positive role models. As tutors we do a variety of activities with the children to improve their reading. We use block letters to spell out different vocabulary words, we read back and forth with the students, we work through spelling books, and we employ flash cards with letter sounds on them to help them recognize the alphabet quickly. The children really enjoy the hands-on activities. As Social Justice Students, we believe that all people in a society should be able to read and write. In our presentation we will reflect on how the combination of our service learning, the classes we have taken in our cohort, and our training by Project READ has helped us to understand and promote literacy in our local community. As UD students we will also explore the importance of our work in the context of the Marianist ideals of Lead, Learn and Serve.

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  Research exercise: The Impact of Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Differences on Autism Identification and Treatment

  Madie K. Szaller

  As the prevalence of autism has increased in recent years, researchers are searching for answers to explain this drastic rise in diagnoses. While studying various ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic demographics to determine a cause for this complex disorder, researchers have found alarming differences in identification timing and treatment options presented to upper class, minority, and low-income families. Although previous research studies provide evidence of treatment disparities, currently there are no conclusive findings that explain why these disparities exist. Therefore, this study aims to draw attention to the differences in the timing of diagnoses, service options, and advocacy support available to predominantly white middle to upper class families, minority families, and low-income families. Additionally, this study serves as an effort to consider physician perspectives, insurance policies, and parental education levels as possible reasons for identification and treatment disparities. Diagnosis and treatment differences must be identified and fully understood before they can be effectively changed. Although this research is only one piece of the larger discussion concerning autism diagnosis and treatment, it will hopefully help to determine the steps necessary to provide valuable treatment to all children with autism, regardless of ethnicity, race, or socioeconomic status.

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  Research exercise: This display is about these career fields projected 10 years into the future: Exercise Physiology, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

  Annie H. Allen, Kevin M. Bogenschutz, Samantha M. Dresmann, Nicole M. Sarkisian

  Occupational TherapyI am going to research what an occupational therapists' everyday job life is. I will also find what the salaries are; starting, average and projected. I will also research the perquisites that one must have to become a successful occupational therapist. I am interested in looking into what their job entails. I will look into what types of jobs are available as well as the employment projection for when I will be entering the field. Athletic TrainingI am going to research what the job of an athletic trainer entails and how to obtain a career in the athletic training field. I will research the average salary starting out and down the road in your career. I will figure out the exact requirement that it takes to become an athletic trainer and the their everyday job. I will find out what jobs are available to someone with this degree and what elements athletic training mainly works on.Exercise PhysiologyI will research what the job entails and where a person is to go with this career. I will find out the average salary of an exercise physiologist and what requirements that one must have to become one. I will research what jobs are available, and also if this career is based more on training, prevention, or rehabilitation.Physical TherapyI am going to research what an average day is like for a physical therapist. It will also be important to research the projected growth for this field in order to find out the job opportunities. In addition I will need to discover what interests are needed and other experiences to become a physical therapist. It will be interesting to learn the new technology that is constantly being updated in this career field.

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  Research exercise: Who Is a Journalist?

  Anna L. Godby

  Anyone can become a "publisher" by developing a website. Anyone can report news and information online. Identifying anyone as a journalist if he/she has a website has legal implications. In libel law, the press is given some protection because of "a profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust and wide-open," as Justice Brennan wrote. How courts define "journalist" will determine when the "fault" element in libel cases is applied and, thus, providing the press some leeway in order to preserve First Amendment values.

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  Research exercise: Working Together for a Greater Tomorrow

  Sarah L. Dickson, Brittany J. Hornick, Anais M. Nin

  As members of the Building Communities through Social Justice Learning and Living Cohort (BCSJLC), we are committed to the ideal of improving literacy in the surrounding Miami Valley community. In November of 2011 our cohort participated in the Cleveland Elementary School Book Buddy Program where we donated books to students in grades four and five and also special education. We were trained by Project READ to tutor students in grades K-8 and also young adults. Then we were assigned students in the Dayton Early College Academy and the Dayton Public Schools. The Dayton Early College Academy (DECA) is a college preparatory school for inner city high school students. Through tutoring in various subjects and interacting with the students one-on-one we learned the true importance of education, literacy, and the value in helping others succeed. When we tutored our students we worked to develop relationships where we could discuss how educational success may be difficult at times but how hard work had paid off for us. Our overall goal is to empower students to become better readers and better thinkers by means of social justice. Through our work and watching the students achieve small successes and understanding, our experience epitomized the Marianist ideals of learn, lead, and serve. The experience of working one-on-one with selected students, granted us friendships and inspiration by the youth of Dayton.

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  Responding to Challenging Behaviors in a Preschool Setting

  Jamie L. Dell

  The purpose of this Behavior Change Project is to demonstrate that by combining two widely accepted methods of behavior modification, a more effective outcome can be reached dealing with pre-school children that exhibit challenging behaviors. This study will take aspects of the constructivist approach which uses pro-social guidance to handle disciplinary issues and aspects from a more behaviorist approach which employs positive behavior supports. The Applied Behavior Analysis design methodology will be used to guide this study. After observing a child for two weeks and collecting baseline data, a plan will be developed to address the negative behavior. This plan will be implemented for two weeks. The intervention will be stopped and then the child will be observed to see if the child has adapted to the intervention or returns to the prior behavior. It is crucial to deal with challenging behaviors, especially at this stage in a young childâs life. If gone undirected, these habits can âinterfere with [childrenâs] learning and ability to develop relationships with peersâ (Moffett et al., 2008, p. 22). Ultimately, the goals of this endeavor are to add to the existing body of knowledge which aims to enhance the self-esteem and interpersonal relationships of young children. The Stander presentation will focus on Chapter 2 of the study, the Review of the Literature on challenging behaviors in young children, and the methods of responding to these behaviors. Work CitedMoffett, K. R., Swafíord, M, & Richey, L. H. (2008). Merging developmentally appropriate practice with positive behavioral supports in early childhood programs. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 22 (2), 21-28. Retrieved from ERIC.

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  Road Travel Time Estimation with GPS Floating Car Data

  Jieai Zheng

  The objective of this research is to provide reliable estimation of urban roadway travel time in time for traffic managing departments and travelers based on floating car data. Travel time data collection and estimation is an important technology method to achieve the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) information services. Poor-quality information leads mistrust and un-ease of traffic congestion. Thus the accuracy of travel time prediction must meet certain requirements. GPS floating car collection method accesses the data source by ordinary vehicles equipped with positioning and wireless communication devices (such as taxis, buses, trucks, private cars, police cars, etc.), which provides more efficient, accurate and in-time data. There are two parts in my research: (1) The collection and pre-treatment for urban road travel time data with GPS floating cars, and (2) The estimation for travel time. I process and filter the data with the algorithm by clarifying abnormal fluctuations, losses, errors, and validation in the data set. As the similarities of the influence factors for travel time according to time periods and road sections, the mutation analysis is applied to divide the traffic flow data into traffic periods, such as rush hours, ordinary hours, and night hours. To predict short-term travel time, I employ BP neural network model based on local optimization. Travel time information reflects the state of underlying roadway traffic, predicts the duration of traffic congestion, and determines abnormal states. The estimated travel time in the next period on a certain road can be published to those who are in need. Also, pilots can choose the lower-traffic-flow roads regard the estimated travel time, which help shorten travel time and ease the congestion in rush hours.

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  Same Old (New) Deal? Examining the Determinates of ARRA Spending

  Amy A. Pancher

  Some twenty-one months before the November 2010 elections, the United States Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the primary goals of which were to preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and to assist those most impacted by the recession. Previous studies have questioned whether political considerations played a role in the allocation of New Deal stimulus spending during the Roosevelt administration. The same question can be asked of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; was the $275 billion in government grants, contracts, and loans allocated solely in accordance with the legislationâs stated goals, or, considering the importance of an election held in a decennial census year and the subsequent congressional redistricting, did political determinates also play a role in how the funds were distributed?

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  Service Learning Benefits the Student and the Tutor

  Zachary J. Sheppard

  The Sophomore Social Justice Service Learning Community's (SSJSL ) mission is to promote literacy. The SJSLC's community partner, the non-profit organization Project READ, trains volunteers to help tutor students in grades K-8 and young adults. After my training, I was placed at the Immaculate Conception grade school, where I have been working with many students in English and Math. Most of the sessions have been one on one. My work with one particular student named Jacob has particularly impressed me with a greater understanding of the importance of service learning and the application of the Marianist ideals of lead, learn, and serve. This seemingly small contribution, small in the grand scheme of things, has helped reinforce my understanding of what it meant to be human. It showed me how we are always thirsting for knowledge, even at a young age, and when we gain the knowledge, we grow from it.