Author: Doyle Srader

Adelayde Hoskins

Hydration

Hydration plays a vital role in an athlete’s performance. It is important because the body is mostly made up of water, and the proper balance between water and electrolytes in our bodies really determines how most of our systems function, including nerves and muscles. If the nerves and muscles are not functioning properly, the athlete cannot perform to their best ability. During this presentation we will look at a few different studies on athletes and their given sports to assess their hydration statuses. 

EXSC 407, Senior Capstone

Heike McNeil

P114

10 – 10:30 AM

William Jones

Fractals: the Geometry of Chaos

Fractals are self-similar objects with fractional dimension . These objects can be constructed using dynamical systems, and expressed geometrically. The dynamical systems used in these constructions have chaotic properties. These properties are density, transitivity, and sensitivity to initial conditions. The most primitive fractal set is the cantor middle thirds set. Fractal geometry is distinct from Euclidean geometry and can be used to better model natural phenomenon.

MATH 499, Senior Capstone

Connie Wilmarth

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Belinda Kinkade & Sharaya Moretti

The Effects of Color When Purchasing Chocolate

Colors are influential as each color is believed to evoke specific emotions and feelings. Research has shown that males and females like the color blue. This study measured the impact of color on decisions to purchase chocolate bars. It was expected that participants would select the blue wrapped chocolate bar more frequently. Students from NCU (n = 31) completed a questionnaire rating quality and attractiveness of chocolate bars in colored wrappers. The result showed that brown was the preferred color wrapper. Understanding the effect of color perception on decision making is important for marketing. 

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Taylor Kraal

The Effects of Caffeine on Endurance Sports

The effects of caffeine on endurance athletes as well as its effectiveness as a performance enhancer examined. Six experimental studies were reviewed to determine the effects of caffeine in various performance related scenarios. After carefully reviewing all the parameters in the different experimental setups, it was concluded that caffeine reduces the athlete’s idea of perceived exertion which can essentially increase performance in endurance events. In certain scenarios, caffeine was shown to function directly as an ergogenic aid. The majority of the research showed that caffeine was beneficial to endurance athletes mostly because it decreases perceived exertion.

EXSC 407, Senior Capstone

Heike McNeil

P114

2 – 2:30 PM

Sharie Krouse, Rachel Stanton & Nicole Tessin-Mason

Influences of Mobile Phone Technology

This topic will focus on the change in phone technology over the years and its impact on businesses and the way they function. To narrow this wide subject of phone technology, we will examine mobile phones and the time frame will be from the year 2000 and forward. This time period was selected because of the impressive leaps technology made in the phone industry and the impacts it had on businesses specifically.

BUS 360

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Danae Laufer

Supplemental Carnitine 

Carnitine is an endogenous compound, meaning it originates in the body. It transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria during fat oxidation. I studied the literature of different research articles and their findings to discover if the claims made about supplementing carnitine are accurate. Each study produced specific results in the difference made by carnitine in the body. Altogether, the results show that there are some advantages in supplementing carnitine but there was also no evidence that most athletes eating a balanced diet are at risk for carnitine deficiency and therefor, there is no reason to supplement carnitine.

EXSC 407, Senior Capstone

Heike McNeil

P114

2:30 – 3 PM

Hayley Leno & Rachel Stanton

Sleep Acquired by College Students

This report analyzes data collected on the sleep acquired by college students, specifically NCU undergraduate students. The data collected is a result of research conducted online though Survey Monkey and data collected by other researchers to be used for comparison. The data collected about NCU students will be analyzed next to a national average to see where NCU students fall in comparison. This report will also analyze where NCU students fall in comparison to the amount of sleep needed according to the National Sleep Foundation.

MATH 315

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Aaron Martin

Using Information Technology for Strategic Advantage

Companies can use IT in a variety of different ways. Some choose to use it only for their day to day activities. Others choose to use it for other things in order to gain competitive advantage. These people view IT as a competitive differentiator. They make business strategies using IT. They develop new services and products based on the data that they collect. Their business is shaped by the information they get. This gives the business a major advantage in whatever market it is in. I will talk about how companies can use IT to gain this advantage and I will give brief explanations for some smaller parts that make up this system, including Business Process Reengineering and Virtual Companies.

BUS 360

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Jenny Maupin

My Mother’s Quilts: Quilting for Good Mental Health

Quilters, in general, appear to have good mental health primarily because they quilt. A two-part questionnaire was conducted with the Emerald Valley Quilters Guild. Part one included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and part two was more geared toward necessary demographic information, levels of happiness, satisfaction with life, and love of quilting. Any identifying references were removed from BDI and it was labeled “Well-Being Inventory Part I.” The goal was to achieve a negative correlation between depression (i.e., low depression scores) and life satisfaction and enjoyment of quilting (i.e., high scores).

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Sharaya Moretti

Pros and Cons of Technology and Social Media

The world has been greatly altered by the innovations and improvements of technology. Computer monitors used to take up entire rooms and now there are laptops, touch pads, and smartphones. Although there are many positive aspects of using technology, there are also drawbacks. This presentation explores how the progression of technology has transformed the way businesses advertise to customers by utilizing social media, as well as the negative impact it has had on individuals’ interpersonal relationships. 

BUS 360

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Amber Osbourn, Taylor Richardson & Emmelene Romer

The Effects of Self-Reflection on Happiness

Previous studies have shown that self-reflection can affect an individual’s happiness level. In this study two different modes of self-reflection were used: prayer and journaling. The hypothesis was that level of happiness would be different after self-reflection through prayer or journaling, and prayer would result in higher happiness levels. Participants were NCU students (n=29) who were randomly assigned to pray or journal for 5 minutes then answer a Daily Mood Form. The results showed a statistically significant difference between groups; participants had higher levels of happiness in the prayer group as compared to the journaling group.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Chase Pearson, Nicholas Peloquin & Mindy Smith

Athletic Scholarships at NCU

This paper plans on determining the different amounts of scholarship money given to the different athletic teams at NCU and the different amounts individuals from each team can receive.

MATH 315

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Scott Perkins

Mathematics as a Step-by-Step Process (Senior Work Sample)

When most people hear the phrase “mathematics,” they admit a certain negative view of this branch of knowledge. If you ask someone, they will often say that they had a “bad experience” in school or that it never really “clicked”. The focus of this work sample was in presenting

mathematics as a step-by-step process, developed by human beings throughout history, and not something that is beyond anyone.

EDUC 496

Jim Howard

A201

1:30 – 2 PM

Scott Perkins

History in Mathematics Education

Differentiated instruction is an educational philosophy and the current driving force behind modern education. Differentiated methods take into account the various learning styles and needs of students, by employing various methods of instruction to generate interest, promote learning, and improve assessment of student progress, as opposed to the method of direct instruction, which treats all students as equal. This research presentation attempts to answer the question of whether it is useful and viable to incorporate the history of mathematics in mathematics classrooms and curricula as a method of differentiating mathematics instruction.

MATH 499, Senior Capstone

Connie Wilmarth

P103

9 – 9:30 AM

Taylor Richardson

Do Self-Reflection Techniques Promote Happiness?

Self-reflection, such as prayer, meditation, or journaling has been found to have an effect on well-being. In the current study it was hypothesized that self-reflection would contribute to feelings of happiness. Two types of self-reflection techniques, prayer and journaling, were tested to see the impact on happiness. Participants completed the Fordyce Emotions Questionnaire before starting the self-reflection task. Participants spent 20 minutes each day for seven days in one of three tasks: prayer, journaling, or reading a textbook. It is expected that happiness scores will be higher in the prayer and journaling group than the textbook group. Spending time in self-reflection tasks may be beneficial by promoting feelings of happiness.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

10 – 10:30 AM

Jolene Rogers

Correlation Between Study Habits and Test Anxiety

Anxiety is a sense of unease, feelings of dread, or feelings of worry. Symptoms of anxiety can have a large influence on productivity and happiness by affecting daily living. There are methods in which anxiety can be lessened. The current study addresses if and what correlation exists between study habits and test anxiety. It was hypothesized that better study habits would correlate to show lower levels of anxiety. This study resulted in no correlation between the two variables.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Jolene Rogers

Effects of Art Therapy on Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms of depression affect a large portion of the population. These symptoms affect people not only on a personal level but on a cognitive and social level. There are multiple forms of therapy which have been effective in helping lessen symptoms of depression. Research for this paper looked into the effectiveness of art therapy in helping with symptoms of depression.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

L203

10:30 – 11 AM

Emmelene Romer

Study Habits of NCU Undergraduate Students

This study was conducted using a sample size of 54 NCU undergraduate students of varying ages, majors, gender and class standings and measured overall time spent studying. Statistical analysis of data allows us to make inferences about the most studious group respective to each demographic category.

MATH 315

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Rebekah Rossberg

Introversion and Loneliness

This study looked at loneliness as it relates to personality type. Data collection used the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Myers Briggs Personality Test. Introversion versus extraversion was the primary portion of personality that was being looked into. Data analysis will include correlations between levels of introversion and loneliness, as well as class standing.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Ivy Simpson

Child Development Case Study

The reason for this research-based project is to evaluate a child developmentally in comparison to other children their age. The student will be evaluated to see if they are progressing normally according to the educational research of psychologists like Piaget, Marcia, Bandura, and others. Over a month, data was gathered from the subjects of this research project, third-grade boy and girl twins who are referred to as James and Rosie. Data was collected in cognitive, physical, personal, identity, and moral categories and will be compared to data collected by education researchers. Evaluations and recommendations will be made based upon the twins’ progress. It appears that James and Rosie are developing normally.

EDUC 330/370

Brian Kaelin

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Ethan Souers

The Mathematics of Rock Guitar

Society places math geeks and rock stars in two very different baskets. However, without mathematics there would be no rock n’ roll. In this study the mathematics of the electric guitar were examined by scanning existing knowledge in the field. From Pythagorean fret placement to standing waves, mathematics exists in every element of a guitar from its build design to the sounds it makes. The expressive, emotional phenomenon that is rock music can be conceptualized and understood in grounded mathematics.

MATH 499, Senior Capstone

Connie Wilmarth

P103

9:30 – 10 AM

Guillermo Torres-Sanchez

Improving Fat Oxidation Through Exercise, Carnitine Supplementation, and Caffeine Supplementation

Endurance exercise training results in an enhanced ability to oxidize fat which leads to improvement of athletic performance. Fat oxidation not only affects athletes but also helps the average person that participates in an endurance type activity such as walking. This is important because there has been a bigger shift of focus towards exercise in order to help people live healthier lifestyles and for athletes to perform at their absolute peak. This study looks into ways that you may be able to increase fat oxidation by looking at types of exercises and also through carnitine and caffeine supplementation.

EXSC 407, Senior Capstone

Heike McNeil

P114

10:30 – 11 AM

David Wadsworth

Self-Disclosure or Self-Aggrandizement: How Personality is Related to Facebook, and Twitter Use

A survey of college students was conducted that measured the self-promoting social media behavior of posting “selfies” (pictures of self or self and others usually posed in a mirror and taken with a digital camera). It was hypothesized that there would be a correlation with this behavior and personality traits as measured by the NPI-16 personality inventory. The amount of time students spent online engaged with these social networking sites and their frequency of use were also measured. The grandiose exhibitionism subscale of the narcissistic personality

inventory was hypothesized to predict this self-promoting behavior.

PSY 350

Nani Skaggs

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Taylor West

Retail Link and Supply Chain Management

In an age of advanced technology, businesses across the globe are changing the way they interact with other business partners. Manufacturers and retailers alike are becoming more interdependent upon each other’s success than ever before. Looking at Wal-Mart, one of the largest and most profitable retailers in the United States, a prime example of changes in the supply chain model can be found. Their new project, Retail Link, is their most recent advancement towards completely integrating all members of the supply chain with accurate and up-to-date information. This vast project will ultimately help define future supply chain models.

BUS 360

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Annie Jo Wilson

Math Anxiety

Math is a subject that almost everyone has struggled with in one way or another. Many could say that they get anxiety from just hearing the word. In this study, we will look at math anxiety and the effects it has on student performance. The goal of this research is to find a way to ease the fear that comes from this particular subject and enhance student learning. The research covers timed tests, how you present the test, as well as whether girls or boys have a greater sense of anxiety when it comes to math.

MATH 315

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Annie Jo Wilson

Math Anxiety

Math is a subject that almost everyone has struggled with in one way or another. Many could say that they get anxiety from just hearing the word. In this study, we will look at math anxiety and the effects it has on student performance. The goal of this research is to find a way to ease the fear that comes from this particular subject and enhance student learning. The research covers timed tests, how you present the test as well as whether girls or boys have a greater sense of anxiety when it comes to math.

MATH 499, Senior Capstone

Connie Wilmarth

P103

10 – 10:30 AM

Kelsey Atkins

Literature Novel Study

My work sample was a literature novel study as a whole class reading The BFG by Roald Dahl. This is a fun book in which the students are practiced their decoding skills with nonsense words, sequence of events, vocabulary, making inferences, comprehension through context clues, and much more. As a final book report project for the novel The BFG, each student created a diorama.

EDUC 415

Vivian Moen

L203

1 – 3 PM

Jordan Bennett, Tamara Brown & Gabrielle Stover

Incentives in the Classroom

Junior year in the Education program at NCU requires students to spend 90 hours per semester observing classrooms in their perspective grade levels. Our time in the classroom has shown us the effectiveness of using rewards as an incentive. We found that teachers who focus on and actively reinforce classroom management techniques are the ones who really see an improvement in behavior among students. Incentives hold a great power in driving students towards achieving things they didn’t believe possible and for that reason, we see rewards as a very valuable tool within the classroom.

EDUC 321

Brian Kaelin

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM

Patricia Laynee Bevans

The Effects of the Color Red on Attractiveness

Color plays an important part in nature and everyday in human life. The color red is associated with love, danger, energy, and desire which attract people to one another. Research suggests that the color red attracts the human eye to pay attention more effectively than other colors. Findings have shown that there are clear implications of color perception on mate selection, fashion designs, product attractiveness, and marketing. The current study tests if the color red has an effect on male and female perception of attractiveness of a female model. It is hypothesized that male participants will rank the female model wearing red higher in attractiveness than female participants.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Nani Skaggs

A201

1 – 1:30 PM

Sabrina Biggers

Statistics of the San Diego Chargers

For my project for this Statistics class, I am going to evaluate the statistics of the San Diego Chargers NFL Football team over the past five years. All these statistics will be over a one year period but then I will compare the past five seasons to see the difference and the relation between the statistics of game performance and game outcome. I will evaluate the following statistics: win, loss, ties (outcomes of games); total offensive yards; sacks; field goals; touchdowns; time of possession; interceptions; and playoff appearances.

MATH 315

Tim Bergquist

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM

Shawna Bradley

Whatever the Weather

Many adults understand but are often confused by the plethora of weather conditions that affect our beautiful planet Earth. How do older children and adults come to know the science behind weather conditions such as tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes, tsunamis, and thunderstorms? They begin by learning about weather through their senses when they are young children. Kindergarten teachers should teach children the most basic information about weather so they may have concrete experiences that help build knowledge. This can happen through hands-on lessons that allow young children to learn about weather conditions by seeing, touching, smelling, feeling, hearing, tasting and experiencing.

EDUC 415

Vivian Moen

L203

1 – 3 PM

William Bradley

High School Algebra 1

The work sample is based on my experience teaching at South Albany High School. The area of Algebra 1 is covered, as well as a collection of 15 different lesson plans that I created and taught to the students. The work sample also covers my thoughts on the issue of classroom management, unit description, and an observation of classroom and school policies at the high school.

EDUC 415

Vivian Moen

L203

1 – 3 PM

Krista Bryson

Conflict and Birth Order

The purpose of this study is to investigate if there is a relationship between an individual’s conflict style and his or her birth order. When individuals understand conflict styles, they will be able to deal with their own conflict, prevent conflict, and help others deal with conflict. Putnam

and Wilson’s (1982) conflict behavior scale is the testing instrument used in this study. Based on previous research the oldest child will self report using a win-win integrative (solution-oriented) style, the middle child will self report using an avoidant (non-confrontational) style, and the youngest child will self report using a distributive (control) style.

COMM 499, Senior Capstone

Doyle Srader

A201

9 – 9:30 AM

Christina Burian, Heidi Gori, Kathryn Peterson & Shelby Peterson

Classroom Thematic Layout

This presentation will focus on the layout and thematic change in the classroom can affect the students learning and behavior. It will cite research from major educational journals that suggest layouts and changes that cater to the teachers learning style and educational approach. We will suggest our own interpretation of the research and offer up some comprehensive strategies that will help manage behavior and learning in certain layouts and thematic units.

EDUC 321

Brian Kaelin

Banquet Room

9 – 11 AM