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  ETHOS We Care Arts Immersion

  Mary Corrigan, Nicole Gonzalez

  We Care Arts is a therapy program for adults with disabilities where they can come to make friends and indulge in their favorite art projects ranging from drawing to glass work. As their mission statement reads they "believe in the healing power of creating and producing art that transforms physical, developmental and mental challenges into a future rich with possibilities." Corrigan and Gonzalez worked on a database that includes different disabilities with wide arrays of art projects tailored to each specifically. They also worked on creating a special step stool designed to fix the problems of a specific client. Our goals were to reduce inequalities for those with ranging disabilities and to create projects that improve their life skills and/or motor functions.

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  Evaluating the “Electricidal Effect” with Shewanella Woodyi biofilms on Agar Plates

  Christopher T. Mortensen

  Electrical exposure can result in thwarting microbial biofilm formation through what has been labeled as an “Electricidal effect”. However, separating the effect of electrochemical potential from the presence of toxic metal ions has proven to be difficult. Separating these effects could create biotechnologies for detecting toxic metals or changes in electrochemical potential in salt water. Based on our previous work with bioluminescent marine bacterium, Shewanella woodyi, we will now present results from experiments designed to sense electric fields or the toxic metal ions using S. woodyi colonies on agar plates. We will present bioluminescence and brightfield images of working single Zn(s)/Vulcan Carbon (VC), Ag(s)/VC, and Cu(s)/VC electrodes drop cast on agar plates in order to evaluate the effect of the toxic metals (Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ag(I)) on the bioluminescence intensity from S. woodyi biofilms. We confirmed the overall activity of the microbial colonies with Live/Dead Assays and determined the density of toxic metal ions over time with Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES) analysis. Our data confirmed that toxic metal ion sensitivity was the reason for growth inhibition around the electrodes rather than an electrical effect.

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  Evaluation of the Environmental Impact of Different Clothing Materials

  Emily Kleiner, Alicia Sweet, Andrew Willke

  A hybrid Economic Input-Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA) was conducted to evaluate the energy requirements, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental indicators of the clothing material polyester. These results are compared to the analysis of cotton as a clothing material to understand if synthetic fabrics have a lower environmental impact than natural fabrics.

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  Examining America’s Treatment of the Elderly in Comparison With Other Cultures

  Ella Jude Sperry

  By looking at existing literature, I was able to gain knowledge as to how Americans think about and treat their elders. I chose to consider other cultures so that I could have a basis for evaluating Americans. I was able to understand in what ways Americans are more and less respectful of their older family members and friends. The research that I looked at led me to find forms of ageism within multiple societies and cultures. This is important because ageism is a form of discrimination. Ageism is a relatively understudied topic. For this reason, I think it is crucial to bring awareness to the topic. The goal of my research is to discuss the ways that elderly adults are disrespected, but additionally, highlight the ways that elderly adults are respected in the hopes that these patterns will be implemented in the lacking cultures.

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  Examining the Critical Consciousness Heightening of Black Male Teachers: Imperatives for Social Justice Orientation Development

  Abdine Lewis

  Paramount to closing the student achievement gap is having a teaching force that reflects the racial and ethnic identities of the students. Black male representation in our nation’s schools may improve the success not only of Black boys but of all students because of the chance to engage with perspectives that may be different from one's own. Nevertheless, staffing Black male teachers has historically been a challenge for many school districts which is indicated by the dismal two percent of Black males who teach nationally (Whitfield, 2019). Despite this, some Black males are motivated to join the teaching force in order to address issues of social justice (Hudson, 2017). However, very little is known about how Black male teachers develop a critical consciousness, an important component to a social justice orientation. This study uses a phenomenological approach to understand the experiences that were essential for a sample of Black male teachers to develop a critical consciousness, and how critical consciousness influenced their decision to become a teacher. The results of this study may be used to inform the practices of teachers, faculty, and student affairs professionals who are involved with the preparation and recruitment of Black male teachers.

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  Exploring College Student Perceptions of the Elderly Through Surveys and Interviews

  Ella Sperry

  In the United States, there is a general stigma that elderly adults are unable to function in the way that they once could. After reviewing previous research that evaluated young adults’ perception of the elderly, I surveyed 213 students and conducted 10 interviews with students at the University of Dayton regarding their own opinions of older adults. My goal was to gain better insight into how college students on this campus view elderly adults both physically and mentally. I also evaluated what age participants consider to be “older”. While there were differing opinions across campus, my research shows that there is a prominent ageist attitude amongst college-aged students. Many students tended to think of elderly adults as incapable, wrinkly, and needy. These results show that elderly adults are in some ways a marginalized age group. This outcome is significant because it shows that there is an opportunity for change on college campuses. This change could be presented as intergenerational classes or activities. It could also be as simple as educating youth about aging.

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  Exploring Factors Affecting Decision-Making in Recruiting College Student-Athletes

  Kyle F. Butz, Turner Cook, Andrew Lutgens, Jakob H. Rosati

  For this study, we focus on factors that affect student-athletes’ decision to the University of Dayton. We want to answer two questions: 1) what are the key determining factors driving student-athletes to attend the University of Dayton; 2) do these factors differ by gender? Our research will provide information about what factors matter most when the student-athletes decide to come to UD. These factors can be both internal (e.g. proximity to home) and external (e.g. overall climate). We also plan to examine what UD does differently as opposed to other universities and the differences in their recruiting strategies. With a focus on gender, we will see if there are gender-based differences in recruitment process. We plan to send the survey to at least 100 student-athletes and the results will be presented at the symposium.

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  Exploring gender differences in sport-related job experiences

  Jess Marie Cheer, Jordyn Alexis Mitchell, Anthony Liam Mulherin, Tessa J. Shade

  Our research focuses on examining the gender equality issues in sports industry. We will conduct interviews and surveys with students in sport management major at the University of Dayton on their internship experience. Specifically, we will be asking them questions about their application process, job opportunities, intern duties, job satisfaction, and any gender-based biases/treatments they recognized/experienced while participating in their internship programs. The study is expected to help us more critically understand the gender differences in sport-related careers and to create a more inclusive workplace. The study is currently in progress and findings will be reported at the symposium.

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  Fabrication and Characterization of Polyacrylonitrile/lignin based nanofibers for potential applications in water purification.

  Suchitha Devadas

  There are many emerging contaminants present in water and their presence can induce detrimental health effects including the disruption of the endocrine system in humans. Hence, there is a need to find an innovative separation technology for contaminants removal from aqueous streams. In this study, lignin, a biopolymer, which is a waste product produced in abundance mostly from the paper and pulp industry, is studied. Lignin in blend with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was fabricated using electrospinning techniques. This process allows the production of nanoscale fibers with a large surface area and high porosity which increases adsorption rates overcoming the lower surface area and pore size of conventional adsorbents. Adsorbing mats comprised of a blend of lignin (alkali, low sulfonate content) and PAN in an N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent binder using electrospinning were produced. Different ratios between 100:0 and 20:80 of PAN and lignin were electrospun to study their morphology using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The viscosity of PAN in DMF was high, but viscosity decreased with addition lignin. Thermal analysis of produced nanofibers was examined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study on crosslinking of PAN/lignin fiber mats. Based on results, heat treatment of nanofibers was done at 300℃ in a tube furnace with a rate of 5℃/min to stabilize nanofibers by cross-linking for greater adsorption. The proposed research will aid in the fabrication of an efficient lignin nanofiber as an emergent green approach in toxin removals from water. These nanofibers have potential use in many other chemical separations and adsorption technologies.

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  Family Upbringing: Implications of Detachment on Children

  Kenosha Robinson-Washington

  This project is a literature review that focuses on family upbringing and the implications of the detachment of the children. Studies have shown the are a variety of factors that foster a relationship structure between children and their parents. Negative interactions have been described as encouraging detachment. Premature birth also affects the relationship between children and their parents. After school activities have been illustrated to alleviate the detached parenting-adolescent relationships.

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  Fiber Scanning Imaging Techniques for Applications in Laser Additive Manufacturing Systems

  Yujie Yang

  Additive manufacturing systems based on selective laser melting of metallic powders are expected to benefit from real-time process control that takes into account measurements of parameters such as the local distribution of powder particle sizes, the texture and roughness of the solidified surface or the actual temperature of the melt pool. We have been investigating fiber scanning imaging systems that operate in such way that they could be incorporated into laser additive manufacturing systems. Laboratory benchtop prototypes for two different imaging systems were built and experimentally evaluated.The first prototype is a confocal imaging system where a single-mode fiber is used for both transmitting the illuminating laser light and receiving the light returning after scattering off the surface of the sample. Its purpose is the measurement of surface characteristics. In this system, the transceiver fiber is mounted to a bimorph piezoelectric actuator, which moves the fiber tip along a line orthogonal to the optical axis and thus also the focal spot across the sample surface. A fiber-optical circulator separates transmitted and received light. A scanner control and data acquisition system allows for continuous recording of line images. Two dimensional images are achieved by moving the sample along the axis that is orthogonal to both the optical axis and the scanning direction of the fiber tip. In the presentation we will discuss characteristics of the obtained imagery and their relationship to surface characteristics of investigated samples.The purpose of the second prototype is the measurement of the local temperature at the melt pool created by the high-power processing laser or at the hit spot of a probing laser for feedback or feedforward control of the power of the processing laser. The measurement of temperature is done by reimaging the sample surface on an infrared receiver fiber and measurement of the power of the received infrared light. One objective of the project is to record infrared (thermal) line images similar to the system described above, but our current laboratory prototype does not yet include a fiber actuator and the electronics for recording of line images. Instead, we demonstrate acquisition of infrared line images of a small sample (a hot wire with 50 µm diameter) by moving the receiver optics with a motorized translation stage.

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  Finding Glioma Growth Inhibitors Using Drosophila Models

  Timothy Cook, Nathan J. Holthaus

  Glioblastoma multiforme is a devastating form of primary brain cancer that has a poor prognosis. The standard treatment is a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemo/immunotherapy, which has shown to be ineffective and ultimately results in the death of the patient. As a result, efforts should be made to identify better techniques or medicines that help slow down or prevent the growth of the tumor. Using glioma models, we studied different chemical inhibitors (drugs) that reduce tumor growth in Drosophila melanogaster models. This was accomplished by acting on the two most frequent oncogenic pathways shared between Drosophila and humans: Ras/MAPK and Pi3K. The primary focus was on tyrosine kinase inhibitors, key enzymes that are activated by oncogenic pathways, which have shown promise in previous drug screens. The study was conducted by collecting third instar larvae from a cross between two fly types – Pten RNAi , ras v12 and Repo GFP – which were then placed on food laced with 300 µM of the drug. We then dissected the larvae, mounted their brains, and imaged them using a fluorescent microscope. This allowed us to observe the glia in the brain lobes and ventral nerve cord to identify changes in the shape of the brain and the density of glial cells within the brain. From which, the effect of the drug on glioma growth and progression can be observed. As a result, we have developed a deeper understanding of the pathways that cause the development of brain tumors, which will allow for more successful treatments in the future.

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  Finding Human in Challenging Environment

  Sankarshan Dasgupta

  We have technologies implemented which assist us beyond the reasonable measures to make our life progress with minimum efforts and maximum output. Only lagging in our fight against devastating natural processes of Earth. The unstoppable force is beyond human intervention or control. Keeping in mind the disastrous effects of natural calamities, we propose an idea to help and assist the heroes of our real life such as Fire fighter, Defense personnel, Coast Guard etc. to save human lives, minimizing their individual risk. Detecting human in the distracted environment is very challenging due to the occlusion (i.e. people may be under debris), the unclear boundary (i.e. noisy background), and the coarse scale due to the distance. Here, we are building a network model and training it to seamlessly detect human out in plain sight. I am also considering this topic as part of my master thesis advised by Dr. Van Tam Nguyen. Creating a new data-set and then training the model to work precisely in harsh kind of environment possible. Images for data-set are chosen for their traits and uniqueness. Then feeding through a network built on Tensor-flow to learn from the data-set. Implementation of algorithm, since the data-set has new structure, shape and new observation of human images, algorithm chosen needs to be an accurate process with edge detection and processing. Then using it to up Mask R-CNN performance. We evaluate the proposed framework on the newly collected data-set. The extensive experiments on the data-set will evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed framework for this interesting problem. Unlike other object detection where the applicable methods of detection has significant references, human detection has been without an availability of well-formed data-set, which could set a benchmark and open the scope for many new research possibilities and high accuracy performing networks.

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  Finding Our River

  Rachel Carr, Cassidy Count, Jack Hallagan, Kelly Hines, Baylor Johnson, Zack Jordan, Katherine Kirchner, Troy Lampenfeld, Meaghan Lightfoot, Natalie Merline, Noel Michel, Sammy Miller, Claire Roberts, Carter Spires, Austin Williamson, Casey Willson

  The River Stewards 2020 cohort will be presenting on the children's book that they have written over the course of the last year. Their book is a socially inclusive story centered around the Great Miami Watershed. This discussion will focus on how the cohort chose to focus on literacy in Dayton for their senior project, the year-long process from writing to printing, and how they identified and collaborated with their community partners. We encourage all those interested in literacy, watershed management, and community organizing to attend.

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  Finding the switches that activate animal genes through a combined in silico and in vivo approach

  Chad M. Jaenke, Michael L. Weinstein

  Genomes encode in DNA sequence the recipes for cellular products, notably proteins, and the switches that determine when during life and in which cell types these products are made. While the genetic code for protein recipes is known, a comparable code for these switches is lacking. This impedes understanding the genetic underpinnings of animals and their evolution, as switches (CREs) outnumber protein-coding genes by over an order of magnitude and switch evolution is thought to be a predominant mechanism of trait evolution. Both in vivo and in silico approaches exist to study CREs, but the former is low throughput, and the latter lacks validation of predictions. Our research merges these approaches to identify CREs controlling genes for an evolving fruit fly pigmentation trait. We will use sequences of CREs known to activate genes involved in pigmentation, in order to find the unknown CREs with similar activity. We will use the SCRMshaw bioinformatic tool to find putative CREs in the Drosophila melanogaster genome that control novel genes involved in pigmentation, based upon the putative CREs possessing DNA motifs similar to those within the known CREs. From this list, we will test eighteen for CRE activity in vivo as reporter transgenes. As a control, we tested a set of four randomly selected sequences of similar length and deoxyribonucleotide composition for in vivo activity. The results will reveal the extent this in silico method succeeded in CRE identification. For the validated CREs, we will elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which they similarly control gene expression, and whether they evolved in route to the gain, loss, and modification of male-specific abdomen pigmentation. The encoding of information in CREs is a universal feature of life, so these results bear upon life at every level.

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  Flyer Consulting: Past, Present, & Future

  Elizabeth Anderson, Kelly Bailey, Lauren Gembus, David Rueth, Nolan Scott, Duke Tobin Jr., Grace Treado

  Flyer Consulting shares the past, present, and future of their organization. In this Stander Symposium keynote they feature past clients, current projects, and future initiatives. Audience members will have the opportunity to hear from the management team, project leads, and intern class, as well as learn about ways to get involved in the future.

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  Flyer Enterprises - Overview

  Abby Jane Conard, Maya Elizabeth Gerker, Carolyn Claire Haney, Maxwell William Higgins, Collin James Wolf

  With nearly 200 employees, annual revenues exceeding $1.2 million and 10 businesses, Flyer Enterprises is one of the largest student-run businesses' in the country.

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  Fun with Fungi: Antimicrobial Activity of Soil Microbes on Campus

  Emily Georgopoulos

  Bacterial diseases that have been successfully treated with antibiotics for decades are now posing a threat to human health because of the development of antibiotic resistance in these pathogens. The overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and their misuse and/or the lack ofregulation in medicine are largely responsible for the high levels of antibiotic resistance found in common pathogens. The discovery of new antibiotics and alternative antimicrobial strategies has become critical. The Tiny Earth Network, a novel educational research program, is mobilizing high school and college students (BIO 411L) to participate in a global investigation through hands on research, in efforts todiscover new antibiotics. An independent research project centered on isolating bacteria from a soil sample was conducted, and these isolates were examined for compounds that exhibit anti-microbial effects on known pathogens. Three isolates from the sample were determined to have antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus epidermidis. Further biochemical tests were done on these isolates in order to identify them by their characteristics, including catalase, citrate, and gelatinase tests, SIM tests for motility, hemolysis tests, and tests for growth on TSI, MSA, and MacConkey agar. An antibiotic-producing isolate that was sequenced was determined to be a fungus in the family Magnaporthaceae. This project was successful in finding sources of antibiotics right on UD's campus, perhaps in an unlikely source: fungi. The novelty of the microorganism's antibiotic activity is unknown, but could be a prospect in the battle against antibiotic resistance.

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  Gain-of-function of mir-277 ameliorates Aβ42 mediated neurodegeneration in Drosophila eye model of AD

  Prajakta D. Deshpande, Catherine Jean Yeates

  Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder, exhibits reduced cognitive functions with no cure to date. One of the reasons for AD is the accumulation of extracellular Amyloid-beta 42 peptide (Aβ42) plaques that triggers oxidative stress, aberrant signaling, and finally results in the death of the neurons. The exact mechanism of neurodegeneration is still not well-understood. We misexpressed human Aβ42 protein in the developing fly retina, which triggers the neuronal cell death and exhibits AD-like neuropathology. Several studies have implicated the antiapoptotic role of microRNAs, post-transcriptionally regulate the gene expression by degrading mRNA of the target. In a forward genetic screen, we identified mir-277 as a genetic modifier of Aβ42 mediated neurodegeneration. The gain of function of mir-277 suppresses the Aβ42 mediated neurodegeneration whereas loss of function of mir-277 enhances the Aβ42 mediated neurodegeneration. We looked for the targets of mir-277 to understand the genetic mechanism of mir-277 mediated neuroprotection against Aβ42 plaques. Here we present the mechanism by which micro RNA provides neuroprotection to the neurons expressing high levels of Aβ42.

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  Gender Differences in the Role of Parent and Peer Attachment in College Adjustment for Childhood Maltreatment Survivors

  Emily Budde, Katelyn Barnes, Erin Collins

  Childhood Maltreatment (CM) survivors may have difficulty with college adjustment (CA), as evidence by higher dropout rates, in part because they may struggle using critical social resources. Among 114 first and second year undergraduates, parent and peer attachment were tested as mediators of the link between CM and total, relational, psychological, and educational CA. Gender was tested as a moderator, as female survivors have reported more relational disruption. Gender was found to moderate both the CM – attachment and attachment – CA links. Men, but not women, reported lower relational (CI = -.038, -.002) and total CA (CI = -.021, -.000) through impaired attachment to friends. While gender was found to moderate the links between CM and attachment to parents (p = .01), with a stronger relation for women (b = -.09) than men (b = -.05), no indirect effect was found through parent attachment. Findings suggest that, while both men and women may have impaired attachments, only men’s impaired relationships with friends affected CA. While counter to expectations, this may be consistent with documented stigma around CM in men, which may limit openness to using these social resources to adjust following CM and to college. College counseling centers could be critical in helping male survivors adjust by enhancing use of relational resources and by reducing stigmas.

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  Gene Regulatory Network Homoplasy Underlies Recurrent Sexually Dimorphic Fruit Fly Pigmentation

  Jesse Taylor Hughes, Rachel A. Johnson

  Traits that appear discontinuously along phylogenies may be explained by independent origins (homoplasy) or repeated loss (homology). While discriminating between these models is difficult, the dissection of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) which drive the development of such repeatedly occurring traits can offer a mechanistic window on this fundamental problem. The GRN responsible for the male-specific pattern of Drosophila (D.) melanogaster melanic tergite pigmentation has received considerable attention. In this system, a metabolic pathway of pigmentation enzyme genes is expressed in spatial and sex-specific (i.e. dimorphic) patterns. The dimorphic expression of several genes is regulated by the Bab transcription factors, which suppress pigmentation enzyme expression in females, by virtue of their high expression in this sex. Here, we analyzed the phylogenetic distribution of species with male-specific pigmentation and show that this dimorphism is phylogenetically widespread among fruit flies. The analysis of pigmentation enzyme gene expression in distantly related dimorphic and monomorphic species shows that dimorphism is driven by the similar deployment of a conserved metabolic pathway. However, sexually dimorphic Bab expression was found only in D. melanogaster and its close relatives. These results suggest that dimorphism evolved by parallel deployment of differentiation genes but was derived through distinct architectures at the level of regulatory genes. This work demonstrates the interplay of constraint and flexibility within evolving GRNs, findings that may foretell the mechanisms of homoplasy more broadly.

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  Genetic interaction between the axial patterning gene defective proventriculus (dve) and Dpp signaling in the developing Drosophila eye

  Anuradha Chimata Venkatakrishnan, Neha Gogia, Katie Marie Perry

  An interesting question in developmental biology is how any three-dimensional organ develops from a single monolayer of cells. In multicellular organisms, delineation of Antero-Posterior (AP), Dorso-Ventral (DV) and Proximo-Distal (PD) axes is crucial for organ development. Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism because genes and pathways are highly conserved between Drosophila and humans. During eye development, DV axis formation marks the first lineage restriction event and deviation in this process results in birth defects in the eye. We have identified defective proventriculus (dve) as a new dorsal eye fate selector in Drosophila. We hypothesize that dve, a transcription factor, regulates the Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signaling pathway, which is comparable to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in mammals, during dorsal eye development. We will investigate the role of dve in the dorsal eye and whether Dpp signaling requires dve to specify eye and head fate to form an organ of balanced size and shape. We utilized the GAL4-UAS system to modulate Dpp signaling in the dve domain. Thus far in our research, we have found that upregulating Dpp in the dve domain results in an enlarged eye phenotype, while downregulating Dpp in the dve domain results in a small eye phenotype. We have tested retinal determination genes to explore cell fate and further support the genetic interaction between dve and Dpp signaling. We are currently testing their interaction using clonal strategies to understand how dve regulates dpp in the developing eye. This study may have a significant bearing on growth, signaling and patterning defects and help in understanding the etiology behind genetic birth defects in the eye.

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  "Get Up, Stand Up": Using Culturally Responsive Strategies to Empower Girls in Malawi, Africa

  Jordan K. Bailes, Lakesha M. Fountain

  Women in Malawi are faced with more challenges and pressures from society than their male counterparts. According to USAID.gov, Malawi has the eight highest child marriage rate in the world and is ranked 173 out of 188 on the Gender Inequality Index (GII). Due to these high rates of child marriage and inequality, young women are facing higher rates of gender based violence and teenage pregnancy. In Malawi, Determined to Develop is an NGO that works collaboratively with the Malawian community to identify needs and create solutions, primarily through a British-based education system. NGO’s in Africa often use their white, eurocentric culture to educate students through the NGO’s culture, often disregarding the students cultural capital and funds of knowledge. One of Determined to Develop’s main projects is a Girls Empowerment program that targets young women in the community and seeks to further develop them through activities and non-formal education designed to empower these women to advocate for themselves.Through a partnership with Determined to Develop (NGO), education programs can combine academic and activist voices to prepare young women as agents of change. This research seeks to develop agency and identity in young Malawian women through the Girls Empowerment Program by incorporating culturally responsive pedagogy into curriculum focusing on activism.

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  GHG Inventory for Local Urban Farm Shows Promise for Carbon Sink Capabilities

  Theresa Isemann

  Due to the accelerated timeline of having under ten years to reduce anthropogenic sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the next generation of climate change solutions will require hybrid strategies that both adjust to the consequences of inevitable climate changes (adaptation) and abate emissions to prevent intensifying future changes (mitigation). Humans will need to rethink the designs of large GHG-intensive systems, including the conventional food system that is currently GHG intensive, vulnerable to climate risks, and ecologically destructive to local ecosystems. This research begins to explore the role of urban farms in acting as a hybrid mitigation and adaptation strategy to climate risks. The potential of urban agriculture to act as a hybrid strategy is contingent on the farm’s ability to act as a net sink of emissions, while ensuring food security and economic viability. This research aims to be the first to quantify the GHG emissions, in terms of carbon equivalency, of all operational processes of a local urban farm in the Midwest region of the United States. A focus on the role of renewable energy in unlocking the carbon sink potential showcases the significance in abating emissions from electricity and heating/cooling needs. This work lays the foundation for the next step, in which an optimization model will be developed to adjust operational processes for optimal carbon storage. The timing of this research is critical as the Miami Valley region builds capacity to scale urban agriculture to better ensure climate resilience in the face of changing growing seasons and other climate-related threats to agricultural yields. Understanding the advantages of a carbon sink design in the context of local and regional benefits can effectively inform future urban farm designs.

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  Global STEM Research Experience for Teachers

  Madeline Mock, Danielle Ostendorf, Lanny Sparks

  A three year grant from the National Science Foundation was awarded to fund a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) that focuses on human-centered design and appropriate technology for developing countries. This collaborative RET between the University of Dayton (UD) and Central State University (CSU) will engage G6-12 pre-service and in-service teachers in a variety of engineering research opportunities through UDs ETHOS Center. The participants will participate in orientation activities, appropriate technology related research and/or human-centered design with a faculty member and on-site work at the international community partner’s facility. In addition, participants will develop curriculum with the participant cohort under the guidance of a curriculum coach that includes continued research with a faculty member, piloting, revising, and final submission of curriculum to TeachEngineering or for sharing with other college faculty on CSU’s and UD’s websites. The human-centered design portion of this RET will educate the participants on developing appropriate technologies for their geographical area that will meet the needs of the people while allowing them to remain self-sufficient after the participants leave their immersion site. This will be achieved through teaching the three phases of human-centered design: inspiration, ideation and implementation. These new tools and experiences will empower teachers to encourage their students to pursue engineering careers. In addition, this project will have a significant impact in the Dayton region and beyond through the participation of teachers and college faculty that teach a high number of students that are underrepresented in engineering and/or come from underserved schools.