Enjoy student presentations by choosing any of the links, found below. Each presentation is given in a slideshow, which includes audio/video of the presenter(s) giving their presentation. Advance any slideshow (using the arrows near the button of the presentation's page) at your leisure. These talks are given within multiple-slide presentations, lasting 12-15 minutes.
The format adopted this year allows presenters and their audience to interact in an asynchronous fashion:
|
Talks (in alphabetical order, by last name) |
|---|
|
Abbey Ammons, The Impact and Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Germination of Triticum aestivum Under Salt Stress Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19878023/ As human population growth across the world continues to rise, improvements and expansion among crop yield are essential to sustain growing numbers. In order to attain this, reducing environmental stresses, in this case salinity, offer promising applications. Within the experimental analysis presented, Triticum aestivum seeds were grown under various salinity stresses and were applied gibberellic acid, a plant hormone beneficial in the stimulation of plant growth and development, to determine any effects imposed on seed germination. If gibberellic acid application promotes growth in higher salinity environments, such practices are indicative of further agricultural expansion among common staple crops. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Pamela Davey Huggins |
|
Zachary Arthur, Stylometry and the Old English Corpus Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19881590/ Stylometry is the statistical analysis of the words, letters, and punctuation in an author’s writings. Stylometric tools have been widely used on modern English to answer questions of authorship (i.e., who wrote this text?), but this is not particularly useful for contemporary texts. The Old English corpus is about 1,000 years old, and many of the works therein have unknown authors. I employ data mining techniques to explore authorship questions in the homilies of Aelfric and Wulfstan, as well as other homilies with unknown authors. Majors: Mathematics / Computer Science -- Faculty Mentor: Robert Niichel |
|
Jacob Branch, Monodiffric Functions Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19869923/ We take a look at monodiffric functions which is an area of discrete complex analysis. These extend functions to the discrete complex plane, also known as the Gaussian Integers. We also find the generating function for the monodiffric definition of the first and second kind. Using this we will be able look at how some discrete special functions can be extended to a monodiffric function on the Gaussian Integers. Major: Mathematics -- Faculty Mentor: Tom Cuchta |
|
Joren Cloutier, Public information campaign – Financial Literacy Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882263/ When Social Media is utilized properly it can be a great platform for educational content. The public consumes more content on their mobile devices than anywhere else, and the reach of social media is ever growing. We live in a brutal financial system, and not everyone is equipped with the same knowledge. This is especially true amongst younger people, intended target of the project. There are many ways for people to learn about finances, but many are operated for-profit and can be very costly. This project intends to offer a free online resource, with both engaging and informational content. Major: Business Administration (Finance Concentration) -- Faculty Mentor: Gary Edwards |
|
Avery Clutter, The Impact and Effect of Varying Gibberellic Acid Concentrations on Growth of Triticum Aestivum Germinated Under Salt Stress Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882104/ With an expanding human population, there is a rising need to increase the production of many staple crops. One way of increasing the overall crop production is by reducing the impact that environmental stresses, such as salinity, place on plants as they begin to grow. Giving plants the ability to grow in higher salinity environments will allow for overall agricultural expansion of where these plants can be grown. This experiment’s goal is to determine the impact that gibberellic acid, a plant growth hormone, has on the growth of seedlings that have been germinated under salt stress. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Pamela Davey Huggins |
|
Jamison Crawford, Experimental comparison of tooth whiteners Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882420/ Tooth whitening has increased popularity among individuals drastically over the last decade. Many different methods of whitening are available which include anywhere from toothpaste specifically formulated to help with whitening, to professional whitening treatments in office. The purpose of this experiment is to compare many different common whitening products that an individual can purchase from the convenient store. The level of whitening ability was documented and compared to one another. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Pamela Davey Huggins |
|
Emma Delk, The “Bons” of Love: An Analysis of Bon’s Gender Identity Using Queer Theory Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19880156/ In William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!, Henry and Judith are attracted to Bon because the fluidity of his gender draws the siblings to him. Bon’s gender identity does not fit within traditional Southern masculinity, as his character contains traits that attract Henry and Judith. Despite the homosexual feelings that Bon arouses in Henry, this is not what ends the relationship between Bon and Judith or between Bon and Henry. Instead, the threat of miscegenation, brought by Bon’s mixed race, causes the end of the engagement, reinforcing the idea that racial prejudice in the South reigned over all other sources of prejudice in the South, including sexuality and gender. Majors: English Literature -- Faculty Mentor: J Robert Baker |
|
Emily Fisher, Competition between three species of gut microorganisms Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19900040/ Many gut microorganisms compete with each other for resources. In this experiment, I examined competition between three species of gut flora by comparing the numbers of CFUs (colony forming units) using different combinations of microorganisms. Based on previous results, I expect that E. coli will outcompete Candida albicans and Lactobacillus casei and that Candida albicans will outcompete Lactobacillus casei. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Pamela Davey Huggins |
|
David Huffman, Seeking the 'End' of Franklin's Capitalist Ethics Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19881235/ The research argues against the founder of modern sociology Max Weber's portrayal of Benjamin Franklin as the arch-capitalist whose only aim is the acquisition of capital, drawing from modern Franklin scholars and researchers including Edmund S. Morgan and Walter Isaacson. From his early public projects for the benefit of Philadelphia, to his later more national and international efforts, and the great sacrifice he made opposing the British government during the Revolution, often risking the ruin of his personal reputation and finances, it is fairly clear that he held public service in higher esteem that the personal accumulation of wealth. Major: English Literature -- Faculty Mentor: Matthew Hokum |
|
Haley N. Ice, Consolidating Variable Interest Entities Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19881686/ My research uses the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), to solve a case study pertaining to consolidations and variable interests. Mac Group is an investment firm that launches a new fund, Cheese Fund, which is designed to invest in buildings. Management has asked me, their accountant, four questions regarding this situation: 1. Does Mac Group have a variable interest in Cheese Fund?; 2. Are the decision-maker fees a variable interest?; 3. Should Mac Group consolidate Cheese Fund?; 4. If Mac Group held a 40% pro rata equity interest in Cheese Fund, should Cheese Fund be consolidated? Majors: Accounting -- Faculty Mentor: Leisa Muto |
|
Taylor Kennedy, Relationship between Body Composition, Fat Distribution, and Lipid Profile to Peak Anaerobic Power in College Age Individuals Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19875928/ The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between peak anaerobic power assessed by e vertical jump and body composition, fat distribution, and lipid profile. Student athletes along with non-athletes students of the exercise program (N=33) were analyzed for fat distribution and lipid profile (tryglycerides, LDL and HDL) using a Biopad impedance and LipidoCare lipid profile system, respectively. There was a significant correlation between weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) with peak anerobic power (p˂0.05), whereas no association was found with other variables. Peak anerobic power can be improved with changes on BMI. Major: Exercise Science -- Faculty Mentor: Julia Dos Santos |
|
Megan Martin, Effect of different edible food coatings on the ripening and fermentation of bananas Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19882392/ Bananas are one of the most popular fruits with a quick senescence under normal household conditions. Ethylene is the plant hormone responsible for the stimulation of ripening in many fruits. While stopping ripening is not possible, there have been many techniques developed to help slow the ripening process, among these being edible food coatings. While edible food coatings can be effective in slowing ripening, there is a chance of fermentation occurring. The aim of this project was to observe how simple edible food coatings, such as coconut oil, affected the ripening and fermentation processes of bananas. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Pamela Davey Huggins |
|
Madeline Puppos, Latinx: its History and Relationship with the Spanish Language and Culture Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19877932/ As the fight for gender equality and inclusivity has come to the forefront of social justice movements around the world, inclusive language has taken on an increasingly important role. The present investigation represents the first phase in a study which probes Spanish speakers’ attitudes toward and usage of Latinx and other gender-inclusive language. For this initial phase, a 23-question survey on the topic was developed and distributed online for a two-week timeframe. Findings suggest that, while gender-inclusive language is growing in acceptance, it is still not actively used by the majority of Spanish speakers surveyed. Majors: National Security and Intelligence / Spanish -- Faculty Mentor: Laura Guglani |
|
Allison Quigley, Thomas Sutpen’s Embodiment of the Harmful Effects of the Patriarchy Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/14276085/ Throughout William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!, Thomas Sutpen uses his wives, goes against their wishes and insults them for his own betterment. Sutpen is an embodiment of the harmful effects of the patriarchy on women. Sutpen’s treatment of women throughout his life in the novel Absalom Absalom! causes trauma, strife, and death. He uses the women in his life to gain respect from others, to achieve power, and to insult others for his own arrogance. Sutpen’s quest for respect, power, and entitlement leads him to his death in the end by the hands of his friend. Major: English Literature -- Faculty Mentor: J Robert Baker |
|
Carlos Serrano, The Lathe in The Lathe of Heaven Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19851507/ This paper examines Ursula Le Guin’s novel The Lathe of Heaven as an example of how science fiction texts represent the relationship between technology and utopian societies. Reading The Lathe of Heaven through recent theory and speculation about social media, mixed reality (augmented and virtual), and algorithmic computing shows the intersections of science fiction and existing technologies. By equating the novel’s technology to real-world examples, the author draws attention to how humans use fictional renditions of technology to inspire humanity’s vision of utopia. Major: English Education -- Faculty Mentor: James Matthews |
|
Molly Simpson, The Fluidity of Beauty: Cultural Beauty Standards and Their Impacts on Women’s Autonomy Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19864182/ This essay explores how cultural standards of beauty impact women’s options for and control over their bodily autonomy through three literary texts: Elizabeth Alexander’s “The Venus Hottentot,” a historical narrative in poetry chronicling the life of Sarah Baartman, a Hottentot woman; Patricia Foster’s essay “Reading the Body” about her own experience with eating disorders; and Naomi Wolf’s “Keep Them Implanted and Ignorant,” an expose on breast augmentation. Majors: Secondary English Education / Psychology -- Faculty Mentor: Donna Long |
|
Kassy Slack, Determining the effect of caffeine toxicity on the mortality rate of Xenopus laevis larvae Click to view presentation: TBD The toxic effects of caffeine were tested by examining the mortality rate of 72-hour Xenopus laevis larvae under four different concentrations of caffeine. Mortality rate increased with increasing caffeine concentration. Abrupt changes of growth patterns and physical deformities were also observed Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Pamela Davey Huggins |
|
Joleigh Sollars, The Unjust Male Medicalization of Women Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19879748/ Since around the 16th and 17th centuries, women have been subject to the unjust medicalization of their bodies and minds. Women have been refused medical care, wrongly diagnosed because of bias against the female organs, and diagnoses and treatments have been shaped by social and cultural beliefs about femininity rather than concrete medical evidence. Ideologies that have led to this unfair treatment of women in the past and present, and evidence of misconceptions and injustice are present in Elizabeth Alexander’s “The Venus Hottentot,” Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and Patricia Foster’s “‘Reading’ the Body.” Major: Secondary English Education -- Faculty Mentor: Donna Long |
|
Kaitlin Webber, Effects of Plant Hormones during Propagation Click to view presentation: https://fairmontstate.voicethread.com/share/19888046/ Plants use many different pathways to regulate the quantity of hormones within the plant. Plant hormones regulate a wide multitude of processes including plant response and development. These hormones may benefit the plant by inducing the rate of growth in plants by encouraging plant cells to create new organs. This allows the plant to regenerate from a variety of plant parts. In turn, plants with added hormones will propagate at a faster rate than those without added hormones. We have summarized the best way to propagate two different species, Tradescantia pallida and Plectranthrus oretendeahlii, based on our findings. Major: Biology -- Faculty Mentor: Pamela Davey Huggins |
|
Mia Yeager, The American Dream Failed Thomas Sutpen Click to view presentation: TBD The American Dream tells people they can achieve the highest aspirations and goals without fail. In the novel, Absalom, Absalom!, William Faulkner’s character Thomas Sutpen searches for a way to achieve a version of the American Dream. Because of a lack of love, warmth, and wealth in Sutpen’s childhood, the “American Dream” provides the perfect escape. Although Sutpen’s plan fails, the foundation of his design lies in the idea that owning a house, becoming wealthy, or obtaining a wife and children will give him a higher socioeconomic status and make him valuable in the eyes of society. Major: English Literature -- Faculty Mentor: J Robert Baker |