JU FACULTY & STUDENT SYMPOSIUM

DCOB Conference Rooms B&C

Wednesday, April 3

8:00 AM - Stress and Test Anxiety Through Yoga in 5th Grade Reading

Kathryn Keshen-Goldberg, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Steven Davis

This project focuses on the issue of test anxiety and stress that students deal with in the classroom. I intend to

reduce students test anxiety and stress through yoga. Students will be taught basic yoga poses and breathing

techniques in order to help reduce any stress or text anxiety. I expect to find that students will learn to control

their stress, and reduce their anxiety by practicing this particular style of movement.

8:20 AM - Occurrence of Bottlenose Dolphin Mother-Calf Pairs in the Arlington River and Nearby Areas of the St.

Johns River, Florida

Jenell Larsen, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Rose Borkowski

Bottlenose dolphins, ursiops truncatus, are among the best known and studied cetaceans. Various ecotypes of

this species have been identified and well-studied in Sarasota Bay, the Florida Keys and the Indian River.

However, little research has been conducted on dolphins inhabiting North East Florida. In 2010, an unusual

mortality event involving bottlenose dolphins in the St. John’s River highlighted the need for improved monitoring

of these animals and their young. The aim of this study was to characterize the seasonal distribution, temperature

and salinity tolerance of dolphin calves utilizing the Arlington River and nearby areas of the St. Johns River.

8:40 AM - Measuring On- Task Behavior Using Basic Math Facts and Physical Activity

Paige Argus, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Steven Davis

After observing problematic behavior in my teaching internship, the study I had chosen was using physical activity

during the school day to enhance students on- task behavior and focus. This study is significant because in the

long run it may help elementary teachers increase their students’ on- task behavior. To measure the on- task

behavior I used basic math facts timed assessments, direct observations, and student surveys. I implemented my

research two days a week, for about an hour and a half each time. My expectated results are that after

implementing this physical activity my students on-task behavior will increase.

9:00 AM - Reading strategies that help to build fluency for ESOL students.

Megan Guillen, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Steven Davis

The purpose of this case study is to see how context clues help struggling readers and English language learners

to read fluently. I worked with a group of six students all of whom were part of the lowest reading group in the

classroom. Each lesson was centralized on students using context clues while also integrating supported reading,

retrospective miscue analysis, partner reading, utilizing listening centers, primed reading, and the use of poetry.

By analyzing the results from the pre and post assessments, I expected the outcome to be that students' oral

reading accuracy as well as their words per minute

9:20 AM - Morphology: The Optical Illusion of Sentence Structure

Kayleigh Hynes, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Christina Valentino

Every language has an established representation of morphology; we want students to properly decode

sentences when language changes. We begin by developing their cognition through scaffolding morphemes; the

smallest semantic unit in language. By breaking down words into their simplest forms and transitioning to the

complex, students are able to distinguish patterns and learn structure rather than memorizing individual words.

We expect to see participants actively moving from concrete to abstract thinking. Enabling students to label the

parts of words and sentences, as well as understand structural relationships, enabling them to intricately shift

languages while maintaining the same meaning.

9:40 AM - The Flipped Classroom in practice: Active learning and engagement in a graduate program

Stephanie James

The flipped classroom has gained traction in K-12 education, however, this approach at the postsecondary level,

especially at the graduate level is not as prevalent, though it is growing in popularity. In flipped teaching, the

traditional classroom method of content delivery is inverted so lectures and accompanying materials are viewed

outside of the classroom leaving class time open for other things such as practice and hands-on work. The

purpose of this presentation is to share the following re a flipped classroom: its design in a graduate program, its

alignment to adult learning principles and its implications for effective leadership skills

10:00 AM - The Importance of Reading Comprehension: Reading Comprehension through an ESOL Students Eyes:

Providing a purpose for reading.

Olivia Blanco , Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Cristina Valentino

Reading comprehension is an important teachable skill required of all students. It is a skill that goes beyond

reading written words to a level of understanding. For ESOL students or English Speakers of Other Languages this

is particularly challenging. The objective of this study is to work through one student’s case of comprehension

skills using questioning, retelling, think-aloud activities, and sequence of events strategies while providing a

purpose for reading. To investigate this dilemma I will be working with an ESOL student whose parents are from

India. Ideally, at the end of this study the student’s level of reading comprehension

10:20 AM - Using graphic organizers to improve students math word problem skills (Math Comprehension)

Kevin Elmore, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Tammy Ryan

10:40 AM - The Formation of the Trimetallic Carbonyl Cluster, Li[FeCo3(CO)12]

Nekea Sanders, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Christopher M. Potratz

Metal carbonyl clusters are vital catalyst for many reactions that involve carbon monoxide (CO). In this project the

trimetallic carbonyl cluster Li[FeCo3(CO)12] will be produced. This trimetallic carbonyl cluster will be synthesized

in three steps that are classified as a disproportionation reaction and two redox-condensation reactions. The

reactions used to produce Li[FeCo3(CO)10] will be highly controlled through the use of a glove box and a Schlenk

line due to the reactions being air sensitive. In order to identify the formation of the correct products, carbonyl

bands of the products for each reaction will be studied by infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy).

11:00 AM - DECONSTRUCTING THE CHAOTIC WORLD: ILLUSTRATING THE ANALYTICAL PROCESS IN THE HUMAN

MIND

Arelis Resto, Faculty Sponsor: Professor Ginger Sheridan

I aim to portray the human struggle to understand the erratic world through hyper-analysis. Hyper-analysis

reveals the manner and truth in others and in nature, and it enables us to better interact with and, consequently,

live in the world. Through collage-based artworks, I best evoke this process by bombarding the viewer with a

series of mixed media portraits that reveal its anatomical layers, which embed varied surreal objects and symbols.

Despite being overwhelmed with these arbitrary, contradicting, and earthly features, I have found that people

judge others and their surroundings not to define them but rather to define themselves.

11:20 AM - Crossing the Barrier: Remembering African-African American Naval Officers in Chicago’s ‘Golden

Thirteen’ Monument

James Edwards, Faculty Sponsor: Jesse Hingson, Ph.D.

Since the colonial era, African Americans had served in the US Navy, yet none were ever commissioned as

officers. In February 1944, the Navy decided to allow a select number of African American sailors to become

officers, and thirteen successfully completed the officer training program. In 2006, in Chicago, the first

monument was dedicated to the “Golden Thirteen”. Using media sources, veterans’ accounts, and other

evidence, this paper focuses on the creation of the monument and the challenges that advocates faced in

achieving public recognition for these first African American Navy officers.

11:40 AM - Developing a Field Guide to Florida’s Nearshore Hardbottom

Sara Schunter, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Dan McCarthy

Florida nearshore hardbottom habitats are considered important in enhancing local marine biodiversity. A

current state funded study at Jacksonville University is seeking to gain further insight into the ecological functions

of these habitats as they may vary with depth and substrate. Collected organisms were counted and identified to

determine how prevalent they were in these habitats. The goal of my project is to take these preserved

specimens and develop a photo field guide to all species encountered in this study. I will discuss my development

of photographic procedures, give an overview of major taxonomic groups, and describe the book layout.

12:00 PM - James Oglethorpe and British-Creek Relations in the Georgia Colony, 1732-1740

Mary Pontello, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jesse Hingson

Founded in 1732, Georgia was settled by James Edward Oglethorpe as a buffer colony between British South

Carolina and Spanish Florida, and the establishment of the Georgia colony touched off a variety of key battles

between the two empires. The British more often won these conflicts, and scholars tend to emphasize the

organizational abilities of Oglethorpe in fending off the Spanish. However, using treaties, settlers’ diaries, and

other primary accounts, I argue that the long history of poor relations between the region’s indigenous

population and Spanish authorities was a key factor in helping British efforts.

12:20 PM - The Use of a Validated Survey Instrument (HPPSACS) to Assess Patient Safety Awareness Among Pre-

licensure Nursing Students

Theresa Chenot

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate pre-licensure nursing students' patient safety awareness,

skills, and attitudes and examine current patient safety education for nursing students utilizing the QSEN

framework (Chenot & Daniel, 2010). The Healthcare Professionals Patient Safety Assessment Curriculum Survey

(HPPSACS) is a 29-item instrument that was used to measure the nursing students' patient safety awareness,

skills, and attitudes and is an adapted version of the Patient Safety/Medical Fallibility Assessment Pre and Post

Curriculum Survey created by Madigosky, Headrick, Nelson, Cox, and Anderson (2006) that was used with medical

students. Recommendations for future research utilizing the HPPSACS

12:40 PM - Street Scene: An American Opera by Kurt Weill

Brittany Nickell and Alec Hadden, Faculty Sponsor: Professor Kimberly Beasley

Street Scene, based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Elmer Rice written in 1929, is a dramatic musical

composed by Kurt Weill who defected to the United States from Germany in 1933. Lyricist Langston Hughes was a

prominent member of the Harlem Renaissance. This trifecta of prominent members of the cultural community of

the late 1920’s and 30’s makes for a gripping story encompassing issues of immigration and tenement living. JU

presents this musical April 5, 6, and 7 in Swisher Theater. Student presenters will discuss discovering their

characters and Director Kimberly Beasley will share her research including the

1:00 PM - REDS: Residential Energy Data Simulation

Alexis Crouch, Faculty Sponsor: Xenia Mountrouidou

The REDS project is developing an univariate model or a stochastic process using real data provided by

Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) to simulate the amount of energy consumed by JEA residential customers.

Utilizing exploratory data analysis with 4-plots, models will be extrapolated to determine consumer demand

patterns. The 4-plot models will be coupled with a hydroelectric energy response model to determine viability of

hydroelectric as an alternate energy in the JEA service area.

1:20 PM - Self-Expression Through the Biomorphic: Creatures of the Inner Psyche

Katrina Burns, Faculty Sponsor: Professor Dana Tupa

In order to cope with a lifelong anxiety disorder, I set out to create the physical manifestation of my inner

emotions voiced as simulated living beings in clay. I combined influences from the natural world, which created a

fictional species of gourd-like creatures. Inventing imaginary subjects, rather than utilizing human figures, allowed

me to broach sensitive subjects within my past. Through gourd form I revealed emotions within a naturalistic

installation that grounded illusory forms in realistic space. This body of work became a catharsis that expressed

the struggles of my recent past and my path to personal rejuvenation.

1:40 PM - The Development and Initial Testing of the Jacksonville Attitudes toward Research Survey

Daniel Murff, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. W. Brian Lane

Many of the benefits of student research experiences are closely connected to the student’s attitudes toward

research. But how can student’s attitudes toward research be assessed? The Jacksonville Attitudes toward

Research Survey (JARS) answers this question. The JARS consists of a set of research-related statements to which

students respond on a Likert scale. By administering the JARS at the beginning and end of an SRE, institutions can

evaluate the change in the student’s attitudes during the SRE. I will present an overview of the survey, an analysis

of the faculty validation, and comments on the ongoing student validation.

2:00 PM - Hip Hop in America: A Cultural Revolution

Ciaran Sontag, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Dennis Vincent

Student will be presenting an in-depth analysis of the development of hip-hop music as a cultural art form:

exploring how socio-economic-cultural factors have affected its growth. Of particular interest in the study are

influence of other contributing genres (rhythm and blues, rock, urban music, jazz, funk, disco, and classical) and

its dissimilation into subgenres (gangster rap, battle rap, hip-pop, etc.). This study will identify: artists who

epitomize excellence in hip hop, and who seem to be leading emerging trends; Billboard and American Top 40

chart analyses; and other independent artists and scholars of hip hop.

3:20 PM - The Creation and Testing of a WKB Approximation Program

Anatoly Kozorezov, Faculty Sponsor: W. Brian Lane

According to quantum theory, it is impossible to predict with absolute certainty the motion of subatomic

particles, (e.g., electrons), such that one must calculate probabilities associated with their positions.

Unfortunately, most problems of interest in quantum cannot be solved exactly, and we must employ

approximation schemes. The Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) method is one such approximation scheme that

calculates the probability density if the energy of the particle is known. I present the results of using the midpoint

integration method with the WKB method to numerically calculate the probability density of electrons in a sample

metal.

3:40 PM - BEACH CÖMER POUND CAKES: GRAPHIC DESIGN BASED ON LOCAL COLOR

Samantha Nader, Faculty Sponsor: Brian Frus, Cheryl Peters, David Smith, Ginger Sheridan

Pound cakes are my defi¬nition of comfort food; they are rich and deep with flavor. The photography, layout, and

graphic design of the cookbook should all reflect the simple yet rich feeling when eating a piece of pound cake,

and the nostalgia that most think of in relation to the cake that our grandmothers made. In “Beach Cömer Pound

cakes,” I proposed to brand my cakes as simple comfort food found in Florida’s seaside communities. My design

encompasses old family recipes, delicate typography. The layout of the cookbook and website gathers all the

design elements, reflecting a southern beach bakery.

4:00 PM - The Effects of Elevated CO2 on Arm Regeneration in the Burrowing Brittle Star Ophiophragmus

filograneus

Coia, Jodi; McClure, Anna; Shankle, Stephanie; Wenk, Laura, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lee Ann Clements & Dr. Jeremy

Stalker

Increased CO2 and decreased pH in ocean water may impact tissue and skeletal regeneration in brittlestars

Ophiophragmus filograneus. Three CO2 levels, a control, an elevated (lower pH) and a high (low pH), were used

to test this hypothesis. Ninety brittle stars, each with one arm surgically removed, were disturbed evenly in nine

aquaria in a Latin square design. Temperature, salinity, pH and DO were monitored daily for one month.

Increased acidity and CO2 resulted in increased arm regeneration rate and decreased overall body mass.

Regeneration at increasingly lower pH exacts a metabolic cost which decreases overall body mass.

4:20 PM - Preliminary Survey of Brown Pelicans Pelecanus occidentalis in Jacksonville, Florida and a summary of

population trends.

Kelsey Cooper, Faculty Sponsor: E. Natasha Vanderhoff

The Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis remains a Species of Special Concern (SSC) in Florida. The Brown

Pelican can be found year-round in North Florida consisting of both resident and migrating individuals, yet to date

a formal survey and population trends for this area have not been conducted. We gathered data at three sites in

Jacksonville, Florida to investigate seasonal trends in population abundance and demography.

JU FACULTY & STUDENT SYMPOSIUM

DCOB Conference Rooms B&C

Thursday, April 4

8:00 AM - Fidgets Figured Out – Using movement in the classroom to control the active study to focus longer

Jennah Gayle Knight, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Steven Davis

Boys in elementary school have up to 49 hormonal urges resulting in movement during a school day. I have

observed 7 boys in first grade that are redirected by the teacher, physically get out of their seat and move while

in their seat. These urges resulting in moving cause these boys to be off task, distracting classmates and behind in

class work. Resistance bands on the desk chairs help Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) students

focus. My study shows how this study works for general education, “normal” boys and Exceptional Student

Education as well as ADHD boys to stay focused.

8:20 AM - Strategies that Help ELL’s when Teaching Vocabulary

Karli Tobin, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Valentino

This presentation will be looking at different strategies to help ESOL students retain new vocabulary words at a

higher level. A few of the strategies are using pictures to help remember definitions (creating pictures in the

mind), playing games with the words, word walls, and graphic organizers. Each of these strategies differs however

they all have one thing in common: repetition with the word. When working with any student on a new concept

studies have shown that repetition is highly effective, therefore in this case study all of the vocabulary strategies

used will include repetition in some way. What I

8:40 AM - Implementing word study groups to increase fluency with lower level readers through repeated

reading

Heather Cole, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Steven Davis

Fluency is the smoothness with which students read. A fluent reader groups words into meaningful phrases and

reads with appropriate expression (Gunning, 2010 p. 92). Becoming a better reader is becoming more fluent. The

process of becoming fluent happens over time with repeated reading. A key component to fluent is sight words;

these words are the 200 most seen words in the English language and need to be mastered before entering the

second grade. When first graders have not mastered sight words their reading fluency affects their ability to move

to higher reading levels before moving into second grade.

9:00 AM - Using Background Music in the Classroom to Effectively Enhance Student Engagement

Elizabeth Kohnen

This study involves playing background music during math warm-up to determine if it will enhance students’ on-

task behavior which may help elementary teachers increase their students’ ability to focus during assignments.

There have been researchers who have used background music to increase student productivity. I intend to

observe students and measure the amount of time they are off-task. I will then do a background music survey, to

determine how students react to background noise during work time. I will then do an intervention on those

students by implementing various styles of music, based on their responses on the survey.

9:20 AM - Evolutionary Ethics: A Defense of Anti-Realism

Bryon Heylock, Faculty Sponsor: Scott Kimbrough

The theory of evolution has great explanatory power regarding how humans came to be as they are today. 

Though it started primarily to explain physical traits, thinkers gradually began to investigate how evolution

dictates human behavior.  This presentation brings together literature in psychology, primatology and

philosophy to argue that morality is a product of our evolutionary past, an adaptation that increased our

ancestor’s reproductive success.  Early humans who were genetically coded to have ‘moral behavior’ out-

reproduced those who were not.  Moral laws, therefore, do not have objective validity, but rather

encourage successful social behavior with those we interact with.

9:40 AM - Latitudinal variation within populations of Phragmatopoma lapidosa along the east coast of Florida

Tayler Massey, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Daniel McCarthy

Phragmatopoma lapidosa are marine polychaete worms which construct sediment tubes into sand mounds which

enhance nearshore hard bottom habitats along the east coast of Florida. These reefs act as nurseries, foraging

grounds, and shelter for many invertebrate and vertebrate species. This study aims to understand variability in

life history, abundance, and seasonal recruitment of these populations. Data was collected on percentage cover,

fecundity, egg size, density, and seasonal recruitment for five locations. Fifteen meter transects were used to

calculate percent cover and worm density. Additionally, samples of worm rock were collected to assess mean

female length, fecundity and egg size.

10:00 AM - Adapting to the Needs of ELL’s

Joanna Zachowski, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Cristina Valentino

In today’s day and age, the classroom is very diverse and teachers must adapt to meet the needs of every

student. When working with English Language Learners (ELL’s) teachers must have certain qualities, including

dedication, patience, and most of all, flexibility. I found this last one to be especially important when an ELL I was

doing research on moved to another school mid-year. This semester I am working with a different ELL case study

and had to differentiate all of my lessons to meet the needs of this new student.

10:20 AM - 2012 EXCAVATION OF THE WELL AT CETAMURA, ITALY

Cheryl Sowder

Discussed here is the presenter’s work as a member of the team excavating the well at Cetamura del Chianti in

Italy. Over Summer 2012, excavation proceeded down the well shaft to a depth of ca.97 feet. Extracted were

levels filled with a plethora of artifacts and organic remains. Dateable to the Roman early Empire, these materials

are identifiable as having been deposited in the well from the Roman villa, featuring baths, nearby the well.

Analysis of these finds promises to yield new insights regarding habitation of this ancient site.

10:40 AM - Composing Music for Different Genres of Film

Dennis Vincent

In composing music for film it is essential that the music complement the intent of the director. The presenter will

identify the various genres of film (such as art, comedy, musical, or suspense), their typical plots and identifying

characteristics. Short movie clips will be shown to demonstrate these characteristics and to provide examples

how music could be created to support the psychological and emotional tone of these works.

11:00 AM - THE UNKNOWN FACE OF THE HOMELESS: HUMANISTIC PORTRAITURE OF A MISUNDERSTOOD SUB-

CULTURE WITHIN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Chelsea Thompson, Faculty Sponsor: Professor Ginger Sheridan

As humans, we judge each person we meet in less than 10 seconds of seeing them. What would happen if we do

not allow ourselves to judge people in those first few seconds? This is the concept I am using to create my

portraiture. I chose to photograph the homeless because I feel like they are a major subculture that people do not

understand. The black and white images shows that we are all the same. My images capture the hidden face of

the homeless, which allows the viewer to see that they are people just like you and me.

11:20 AM - The Art of Biological Sciences

Nicole Teplitz, Faculty Sponsor: Professor Dana Tupa and Dr. Janet Haavisto

Science is generally seen as a boring or intense intellectual subject but, there are many things in science that are

beautiful and can be seen in aesthetically pleasing ways. I have meshed my love of biology and ceramics together

to explore future career paths. Through the scientific and artistic investigation of biology specifically focusing on

dentistry and medicine, I have discovered my passion in biology and have demonstrated it through my artwork.

11:40 AM - America’s Lyrical Romanticist

Scott Watkins

Composer Howard Hanson (1896-1981) was a champion of American music and music education. He won the

Pulitzer Prize in Music in 1944. For forty years he served as the Director of The Eastman School of Music. His

artistic philosophy is found in his own words: “Our task is an important one: to create and to teach the creation

of beauty to a world which is sorely in need of it.” This lecture presents Hanson’s Piano Sonata, discovered in

manuscript in 2005,featured on Watkins’ upcoming recital.

12:00 PM - Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt: Kurt Vonnegut and the Persian Gulf Wars, 1991-2007

Brett Swearingen, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jesse Hingson

This paper focuses on Kurt Vonnegut’s opposition to the Persian Gulf Wars of the early 1990s and the early 2000s

and how his anti-war views had evolved since the 1960s and 1970s. Vonnegut similarly saw the Vietnam and

Persian Gulf wars as despicable and “unjust”. And, during both conflicts, he expressed his views through

interviews, essays, speeches, and opinion papers. He drew a number of lessons about opposing war, including the

value of demonstrating, what audiences to reach, and the power of the media in shaping public opinion. His story

provides important insight about why anti-war viewpoints were largely ignored

12:20 PM - Lemur enrichment

Danielle D'Amato, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. E. Natasha Vanderhoff

Feeding enrichment devices are frequently used in zoos to promote natural behavior, increase activity levels and

improve health in captive primates. I investigated if simple changes in food presentation would increase activity

levels in captive ring tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). I offered

two different feeding enrichment devices for a population of eight males of L.catta and three V.variegata one

female two males, housed at the Jacksonville Zoo. Data was collected by observing L.catta and V.variegata with

and without feeding enrichment devices.

12:40 PM - Two Generations of Bootlegging and Murder in Jacksonville, Florida: The Crimes of John B. and Clyde

Hysler

Andrea Laursen, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jesse Hingson

This paper reconstructs the story of the Hysler family, known for committing various high-profile crimes in

northeast Florida during and after Prohibition. Studying them allows us to understand the formation and

operation of illicit alcohol local smuggling networks in the northeast Florida region during the early twentieth

century. Their story also provides a glimpse into the problems of enforcing Prohibition laws at the local and

regional levels and why Prohibition failed overall. The Hyslers both clashed and cooperated with law

enforcement across generations and gained a degree of fame and notoriety unmatched by any other local crime

organization. Newspaper, judicial,

1:00 PM - I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS: ANIMATING WITH DIGITAL CLAY

Michelle Pabalate, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Carolina Conte

My thesis investigates the computer-generated methods used to create the realistic texture of clay. By using the

right digital materials, understanding the physical properties of real clay, and by optimizing my render settings, I

successfully simulated clay within a computer animation program. Through this research project I have learned a

more efficient way to produce an animation that offers the appeal and charm of a clay animation without the cost

in materials and studio space. As a result, I am able to offer a wider variety of artistic skills to potential clients and

employers.

1:20 PM - Airline: A Simulation of a Real-World Industry

Kelly Jeanfavre, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Janet Haavisto

This presentation will be a discussion of the simulation program used in the AVM 311 Airline Management

course. Airline gives students the opportunity to compete with their peers in the regional airline industry, but it is

about more than just flying virtual airplanes. An airline is subject to the same rules as any other business.

Students are responsible for every facet of their airline, including the number and type of aircraft and routes.

Airline teaches students how to successfully run a business in a very competitive industry.

1:40 PM - Using Graphic Organizers with ELL Students to Increase Vocabulary Knowledge

Heather Knight, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Haavisto & Dr. Valentino

Graphic organizers are used in education throughout every grade and subject. My goal is to see if graphic

organizers increase learning for ELL students in areas such as vocabulary and figurative language. I plan to do this

by teaching multiple lessons using different forms of graphic organizers to assess my ELL’s learning and

comparing it to an unstructured piece they create such as handwritten notes. Some graphic organizers that could

be used during this study are self-made, bubble maps, flow charts, and venn-diagrams. I hope to find that these

do improve learning and discover which type of organizer worked best.

2:00 PM - The Making of Lathe of God

Eric Kunzendorf

In this presentation, I intend to show how I created different shots within the animation Lathe of God. I will show

how a shot is modeled, textured, animated and rendered using Autodesk Maya, Photoshop and Adobe After

Effects. I intend to talk about the challenges and rewards associated with producing a multi year project.

2:20 PM - Patterns: A Preliminary Study of First Year Composition Assessment and Retention

Dr. Sandra Coyle and Dr. Julie Brannon

This study looks at data generated by our Freshman Composition Exit Exam between Fall 2009 – Fall 2012.

Analysis consisted of looking at the relationship of these data to SAT scores, placement, and retention of first-year

students who failed this exit exam at Jacksonville University. The methodology of the assessment consists of an

essay exam at the end of the first year writing course, and the rubric consists of the departmental objectives for

that course. English faculty are involved in the assessment process and have significant input into the grading and

structure of the assessment. Data considered include enrollment in basic

2:40 PM - SIGNIFICANCE AND DEPTH RANGE OF PORCELLANIDAE CRABS ALONG NEARSHORE NATURAL AND

ARTIFICAL HARDBOTTOM HABITATS OF SOUTHEASTERN FLORIDA

Sara Debellis, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. McCarthy

Nearshore hard bottom habitats serve as shelters to fish and invertebrates. These habitats can have reefs made

by Phragmatopoma lapidosa who create tubes to form mounds. However, beach restoration projects have

resulted in the destruction of these reefs. This study looks at depth zones of natural and artificial reefs to

determine the significance of these reefs and how restoration efforts could affect these environments. Crabs

from the Porcellanidae family were identified to the lowest taxonomical group possible using dichotomous keys

by examining the carapace, rostral teeth, and chelipeds. The most abundant crab from the samples was

Pachycheles monilifer, mostly females.

3:00 PM - Skydiving as a Benefit for Developing Pilots

Amanda Suter, Faculty Sponsor: Capt. Ziskal

Every pilot is put into stressful situations and is responsible for his/ her life and the lives of others. There are

many ways the training and execution of skydiving are similar to that of a pilot’s. Skydiving would benefit a pilot

in learning a sport that involves so much pressure pertaining to excelling and carrying out directions correctly;

when done appropriately, help in boosting confidence while allowing for phobias to be conquered, forcing a pilot

to perform practical reactions in stressful environments; enhancing an individual’s ability to comply with

directions overall and especially in emergency situations.

3:20 PM - The Use of Hands on and Technological Manipulatives to Enhance Comprehension in 4th Grade

Elementary Mathematics

Anna Price, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Adele Hanlon

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is the global leader and foremost authority in mathematics

education, ensuring that all students have access to the highest quality mathematics teaching and learning.

Educational research indicated that the most valuable learning occurs when students actively construct their own

mathematical understanding, which is often accomplished through the use of manipulatives. For my action

research I will test tactile, concrete experiences in math. I will provide students geometric shapes/ virtual

manipluatives to practice solving problems in area and geometry over a course of several weeks to test the theory

that manipulatives increase math comprehension.

3:40 PM - ABUNDANCE AND DEPTH RANGE OF XANTHIDAE CRABS ALONG THE NERSHORE ARTIFICAL AND

HARDBOTTOM HABITATS OF SOUTHEASTERN FLORIDA (PALM BEACH COUNTY)

Megan Zellner, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. McCarthy

Nearshore hard bottom (NHB) habitats are an important ecosystem in coastal areas providing a stable

environment for many organisms. The community where HNB ecosystems are located were considering beach

nourishment, however, the affects this could impose on the organisms inhabiting these habitats is unknown. The

goal of this study was to examine the abundance and richness of xanthid crabs found in the NHB from a range of

various depths from Palm Beach County, as well as comparing their abundance over time between artificial and

natural reefs. The most common Xanthidae crab was Menippe nodifrons. Complete data will be presented

4:00 PM - Utopias for the Twenty-first Century

Janet Haavisto, Tayler Massey, Meagan Balding, Alyssa Stubbs, Joshua Utter

Utopias are responses to the envisioners’ frames of reference regardless of the times, locations, or ages of the

envisioners. Creating a utopia is an experiential learning assignment that allows a student to examine his or her

frame of reference. In order to write a utopia, the student must examine as many facets of society and of his or

her beliefs as possible in the time allotted for the exercise. Indeed, most importantly, students learn about

themselves and others’ points of view in the process of creating and sharing utopian visions.

4:20 PM - Utopias for the Twenty-first Century (continued)

Janet Haavisto, Tayler Massey, Meagan Balding, Alyssa Stubbs, Joshua Utter

4:40 PM - Herpetological Survey of Turtle Pond, NASJAX, Jacksonville, Florida with a comparison of turtle trapping

methods

Ashley Briddell, Danielle D'Amato, Vincent Domena, & Alissa Gilmer, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. John Enz

A turtle survey and mark/recapture population study was performed on a large stormwater pond within NASJAX

from October through November 2012 in order to determine the abundance and species diversity of the pond

before (and after) its dredging. Three methods were used to capture turtles: basking traps, hoop nets, and hand

capture. Once captured, a turtle’s species, age, sex, and markings for recapture were recorded. A total of 5

different species were captured during the 18 sample days of this study. The skewed demographic data poses

further questions as to what environmental factors are impacting the turtle population.

JU FACULTY & STUDENT SYMPOSIUM

DCOB Conference Rooms B&C

Friday, April 5

8:20 AM - The effectiveness of using a "Think-Aloud" to build metacognitive awareness of the use of concepts of

print when writing.

Danielle McMaster, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Stephen Davis

I developed and implemented an action research project that represents researched based practices used by

highly effective teachers in order to help better educate students. In Kindergarten students are just beginning to

form an understanding of how to compose writing and often struggle with applying the basic concepts of print to

their writing. The focus of my action research was to measure: The effectiveness of using a “Think-Aloud” to build

metacognitive awareness of the use of concepts of print when writing. My action research project used a writer’s

workshop model in order to present, teach, practice and assess the skills

8:40 AM - The Synthesis, Purification, and Characterization of K[Co3Ru(CO)12] and K[Co3Fe(CO)12] and Their

Potential Applications

Christopher Potratz

The extended crystal structures of K[Co3Ru(CO)12] and K[Co3Fe(CO)12] are potentially useful as catalyst

precursors for Fischer-Tropsch and hydroformylation reactions. The reported IR spectrum of K[Co3Ru(CO)12]

contains suspicious peaks that are suspected to be impurities. Therefore, the synthesis of K[Co3Ru(CO)12] was

modified from the literature procedure to remove the impurities. The modified synthesis of K[Co3Ru(CO)12] was

characterized by IR, which demonstrated that purification was successful. Due to the probative cost of Ru a

second synthesis was carried out in which Ru was replaced with Fe, which is significantly cheaper. IR spectra were

taken to determine similarities between K[Co3Ru(CO)12] and K[Co3Fe(CO)12].

9:00 AM - N-isopropylacrylamide temperature-responsive gel

Aria King, Faculty Sponsor: Dr.Zhaoyang Huang

Stimuli-responsive gels have unique properties that make them useful for biomedical implant and drug delivery

purposes. These gels can react to external stimuli, such as temperature or pH, by changing their volumes just an

organism would. This research attempts to construct a temperature oscillator based on a stimuli-responsive gel

and an exothermic reaction between potassium permanganate and glycerol. The gel is a copolymer of N-

isopropylpolyacrylamide & methyl methacrylate, which responds to both pH and temperature changes. The

transition temperature—the temperature at which the gel abruptly swells/collapses—will be gauged, and its

ability to work as a drug delivery device

9:20 AM - A Computational Approach to Brownie Pans

Steven DiGiannurio, Brandon Krouppa, Trevor Touchton, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Paul Crittenden

The Mathematical Contest in Modeling is a four day competition in which teams of three members are given the

choice of two open ended problems. The problem we chose gave us the conditions in which we had to find the

most suitable brownie pan in both shape and an even cook throughout the baking process. Our team used two

programs that maximized the usage of oven space and optimal cooking conditions. This resulted in a hexagon

being the best pan for baking brownies.

9:40 AM - Magic Brownies

Ryan Rillstone, Jessica Taylor, and Alejandro Madariaga, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Lane

When baking brownies, one will always try to make a consistent batch each time. However, typical rectangle

shaped dishes used to bake in dally even the best chefs. Overcooking of the edges can be minimized when using

rounded pans. Unfortunately, round and circular pans are not efficient ways of mass producing brownies due to

the fact that ovens are rectangular and cuboidal in shape. We began by defining the terms and assumption we

knew already. We found averages of volume for three different categories of toaster, stove-top, and wall ovens.

This would allow us to keep our model.

10:00 AM - Unto the death: HPLC analysis of bacterial inhibitory molecules

Sandria Vernon, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Anthony Ouellette

Jacksonville University has recently acquired the components of a high performance liquid chromatography

(HPLC) system. The initial focus of this project is to set up the HPLC and verify that it is in proper working order for

the JU research community. Hopefully, the HPLC will be to characterize the inhibitory molecules secreted by

Bacillus species to determine whether the molecules are bacteriocins. In times of high stress, bacteria secrete

bacteriocins which function as antibacterial proteins against other bacteria. Bacteriocins have the potential to

function as new therapies against pathogenic infections and have therefore generated an array of interest.

10:20 AM - Quantifying microcystin, a hepatotoxin, from the St. Johns River and adjacent tributaries

Alissa Cowell, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Ouellette

Microcystis, an alga, produces microcystin, a hepatotoxin, which is problematic in the St. Johns River and

freshwater globally. The World Health Organization recommends no more than 1 µg/L of microcystin in drinking

water and 2-4 µg/L in recreational water. Protein Phosphatase Inhibition Assays (PPIA) are used to determine

toxin levels, and are more cost effective than other detection methods. In this study, different PPIA procedures

were tested to see which could produce the most accurate data in comparison to published papers. Chlorophyll

analysis was performed to quantify the total amount of algae in samples from the St. Johns River.

10:40 AM - Toxins and Blue-Green Algae

Alicia Gard-Kaminkow, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Ouellette

As an intern at GreenWater Laboratories, an environmental lab, I have been able to immerse myself in the world

of algal toxins. Cyanobacteria are photosynthesizing prokaryotes found in freshwater, marine, and soil

environments. Some species of cyanobacteria produce toxins which can be harmful to aquatic life, terrestrial

animals, and humans. At GreenWater Lab, I am learning how to analyze and quantify toxins in samples from

water sources, dietary supplements, and animal tissues. Additionally, I have been tasked with developing a

standard operating procedure for the analysis of chlorophyll a, the pigment primarily responsible for

photosynthesis in phytoplankton.

11:00 AM - Measurements of the Thermo-optic Coefficients of Acetone

Jay Angel, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. James S. Browder

Using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and cryostat constructed at Jacksonville University, a study and calculation

of the thermo-optical coefficients for acetone has been conducted. The thermo-optical coefficients give the rate

of change of the refractive index with respect to temperature. The acetone was cooled with a cryostat using liquid

nitrogen and dry ice as a coolant. The acetone was placed in a quartz cell inside the cryostat and after cooling was

allowed to heat back up to room temperature using an electronic heater. Using interference patterns from the

interferometer apparatus, the coefficients were calculated.

11:20 AM - Relation Between Warfarin Continuation therapy dosing and Patient Body Mass Index

Tulsi Patel, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. W. Small and Dr. Enz

Warfarin is an anticoagulant drug commonly used in the USA. It helps to prevent formation of blood clots, and

prevents existing blood clots from getting worse. Most patients who are prescribed this drug have heart

conditions (atrial fibrillation, thrombosis). To monitor drug effectiveness, blood tests are done to check the

International Normalized Ratio (INR) of clotting time. Protocol for the effective amount of warfarin that must be

administered don’t exist because it varies from person to person. This research analyses total weekly dose

administered, INR numbers and body mass index (BMI) of over 800 patients at Mayo Clinic Hospital FL.

11:40 AM - Charge! A Capacitors’ Dilemma

Paul Simony

Several lab procedures have been devised for students to study the properties of a variety of circuits using

capacitors and resistors. While measurements and results for circuits with resistors alone are accurate and

reproducible, similar circuits for capacitors yield results with errors typically in the 20 to 50% range for circuits

containing multiple capacitors. Several possible sources for this error will be examined and discussed.

12:00 PM - Undergraduate Research Grant awards

Lee Ann Clements

12:20 PM - Effects of Green Coffee Bean Extract on Weight: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical

Trials

Brianna Huynh, Faculty Sponsor: Heather Hausenblas, PhD

In the past decade, increased research and media attention has been given to the weight loss effects of green

coffee bean extract (GCBE). The purpose of our study was to meta-analytically review randomized clinical trials

examining the effects of GCBE supplementation for weight loss. Effect sizes revealed that GCBE supplementation

resulted in significant weight loss in overweight and obese populations. Most studies were associated with a high

risk of bias. Larger multi-site clinical trials are needed to elucidate the long term effects of GCBE supplementation

and mechanism of action before firm conclusion regarding its efficacy for weight loss are made.

12:40 PM - Simulation of kicker differential decay systematic error for the Brookhaven g-2 experiment

Brandon Krouppa, Faculty Sponsor: W. Brian Lane

The E821 experiment was designed to measure the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon (AM3).

Discrepancies between E821’s measurement and current theory predictions indicate that new physics is required

to understand the universe. Recently, an additional error called kicker differential decay (KDD) was found to yield

an offset in the measurement of the AM3. We present the results of a simulation that was written to calculate the

phase spaces for the muons in the storage ring, producing an upper limit of 0.06 ppm for the KDD error

which, while insignificant for E821, will impact new experiments with larger beams.

1:00 PM - Association of Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) use on CCK-HIDA scintigraphy

Eric Lam, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Curtis Small

Previous studies showed that short-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) usage caused a significant decrease in

cholecystokinin (CCK) in healthy patients. To quantitatively measure this association, diagnosis of the gallbladder

was measured by the CCK-HIDA scintigraphy test, which measured gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF).

Approximately 400 patient records of patients that underwent a CCK-HIDA scan were retrospectively reviewed.

Statistical analysis should show that PPI usage during CCK-HIDA scan shows an abnormal GBEF. Thus, prolonged

usage of PPIs can lead to gallbladder complications, and identification of biliary dysfunction using the HIDA scan

should exclude usage of PPIs to avoid a false positive report.

1:20 PM - Common Clinical Presentations of Pet Birds at an Avian Veterinary Specialty Practice

Olivia Talbot , Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Rose Borkowski

ne the different species of birds encountered at the Exotic Bird Hospital of Jacksonville, Florida. Additionally, the

occurrence of different disease processes among various species of birds examined over a twelve-week period of

time will be studied. The study will help to illuminate the diseases that are most widespread in the pet bird

community, such as bacterial infections and chlamydiosis. The species of birds focused on in this study will be

parrots (order: psittaciformes).

1:40 PM - Post-Operative Complications in Living Donor Nephrectomies

Kyle Green, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Curtis Small

Due to developing surgical capabilities living donor nephrectomies are becoming increasingly more common.

However, there is relatively little known about the post-operative effects of donation. Analyses of patient’s

medical documents were used to find any detrimental complications resulting from altruistic kidney donation

post-operatively and what factors may increase risk of complication.

2:00 PM - The B-Z Reaction - The opening door to chemical oscillation

Alfred Sparman, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Zhaoyang Huang

The Belousov-Zhabotinsky (B-Z) reaction is a chemical reaction that undergoes periodic color changes when the

concentration of the intermediate species changes periodically. This presentation will be over the history and

explanation of the B-Z reaction and its importance in the field of chemistry. The actual experiment will also be

displayed as well as the explanation of how small differences in the concentration of species can cause different

kinds of colors to appear.

2:20 PM - Mollusc Communities in Nearshore Hard Bottom Habitats located in Palm Beach County Florida

Hannah Roddy, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Daniel McCarthy

The goal of this study was to determine the abundance and diversity of molluscs in nearshore worm reefs found

at varying depths and substrate types. Worm-rock samples were collected in 2009 and 2012 from Palm Beach

County, Florida, and dissected apart to extract all associated organisms. Over 10 mollusc species were identified

with gastropods having the highest diversity. Overall, the most abundant species were the gastropod Anachis

avara and bivalve Isognomon radiatus. Most organisms were small varying between 4 and 20 mm suggesting that

they were juveniles that may use the worm rock for shelter.

2:40 PM - SPECTRUM: An Interactive Film Experience

Brian Trumble, Faculty Sponsor: Ginger Sheridan

This thesis explores the creation and working processes in the production of a new kind of film medium that

involves the viewer in the experience. SPECTRUM is a choose your own adventure film game project, aimed at

actively involving the player as a participant in the viewing experience. Throughout the writing process and

production of SPECTRUM, my goal was to make something accessible to young players, while including themes,

visuals, and dialogue which can be enjoyable for older, more mature viewers in our world so saturated with

visuals and obsessed with our own pop culture niches.

3:00 PM - Ecological Significance of Nearshore Hard Bottom Habitats of Southeast Florida

Kyle Bosanko, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. McCarthy

Shallow hard bottom habitats of southeast Florida have been shown to support many juvenile reef dwelling

organisms. However, little is known about how the ecological functions provided by nearshore hard bottom

habitats (NHB) vary with depth and substrate. To gain more insight into the ecological function of these habitats

for crustaceans, snapping shrimp were classified, counted, and measured for individuals collected in worm rock

mounds. There was high variability in shrimp abundance with site and depth with over four species being

encountered. Overall, there slightly more juveniles observed than males in this study.

3:20 PM - National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Tanya Singh, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Dennis Stouse

My project is a video project on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, North Florida Chapter. It portrays the life

of a patient living with Multiple Sclerosis and its physiological and psychological effects on the patient. It also

shows what the MS Society does to help these patients. It covers various events and fundraisers organized by the

society all year-long. It showcases the deep and meaningful relationships people make with each other and with

the members of the society, while trying to battle this debilitating disease. This project is aimed at spreading

awareness regarding multiple sclerosis and breaking the myths associated

3:40 PM - Reflecting Reality: A Photographic Representation of Human Perception

Lauren Tidwell, Faculty Sponsor: Professor Ginger Sheridan

Society finds comfort in the notion that seeing is believing; people obsess over the fabled ideal of truth, but what

they often neglect to consider are the varying angles perception. This oversight is the thesis of my work.

Photographs, journalistic in style, were sandblasted onto glass with a mirror backing. The mirrors function so that

no one viewer experiences the same image; viewers see a reflection of themselves much like how our past

experiences affect our cognition. Additionally, each component of the display is lit individually in a timed cycle to

mimic the way we explore segments of new information.

4:00 PM - MCM: Heat Transfer of Cooking Brownies

Mark Russell; Brooks Wofford; Shameer Deen, Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Paul Simony

While baking brownies, the heat is most concentrated in the corners, resulting in the product getting overcooked

in the corners. The distribution of heat in an oven requires taking the dimensions of any pan in any shape into

consideration. In addition, there are two main types of ovens: convectional and standard. Also, each oven is

different in terms of layout and its area. Combining all of this we created a mathematical model to satisfy the

following conditions: maximizing the number of pans fitting in an oven, maximizing heat equilibrium distribution

for the pan, and the weight of the pans.

4:20 PM - Hollywood versus Fred Grey: Miss Evers’ Boys and the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment Apology

Between 1932 and 1972, the United States government conducted secret studies on the effects of untreated

syphilis on African-American males in the area of Tuskegee, Alabama. Attorney Fred Grey defended the rights of

the Tuskegee victims. As a result of his efforts, the US government issued an official apology to the victims in

1996. At that time the film, Miss Evers’ Boys, was released and re-told the story of the experiment. Although

inaccurate, Grey, the Tuskegee victims, and their families pointed out that it contained numerous inaccuracies

and distorted what really happened during these years.

Thanks to Janet Haavisto, Anthony Oullette, and Natasha Vanderhoff for facilitating presentation sessions.

Special thanks to Academic Affairs, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Division of Humanities, the Division of

Music, the Divison of Science & Mathematics, the Division of Social Sciences, the Division of Visual Arts, and the

School of Education for financially supporting this year's Symposium.

The Symposium Planning Committee:

Carolina Conte, W. Brian Lane, Chris Robertson