Katy Matteucci

Biodiversity Decline in the Great Barrier Reef 

This presentation reviews the biodiversity of organisms that dwell within the Great Barrier Reef, and analyzes how various human activities have been ushering a destructive wave against this complex ecosystem. As a result of the augmenting carbon levels in our atmosphere, overfishing procedures, and the addition of numerous toxic chemical substances and other pollutants, many species are being affected. As coral growth and development are inhibited, the natural homes, food sources, and breeding grounds of many aquatic creatures are being uprooted. In addition, many larger species, such as sea cucumbers, fish, and turtles, are facing draconian challenges due to overharvesting and pollution. Fortunately however, these conditions are not irremediable. By establishing a clean energy economy and imposing regulations regarding mismanaged fishing and toxic waste, the potential for the revival of this biome will again be attainable, eventually restoring the vibrancy of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Paul Allee 

P114 

10 – 10:30 AM

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Joshua McCluskey

Genetic Effect on Common Diseases 

The management and treatment of different diseases can be directly related to the origin of the disease. Diseases that have strong genetic ties can be treated in different ways than disease that have no correlation to the genetics of a person. In this review we discuss the different variations of effects of genetics on phenotypic diseases in an organism as well as discuss possible ways for treatment of these diseases. We discuss how we can prevent the spread of diseases that are not genetically tied as well as upcoming technology that allows us to correct any genetic abnormalities that can cause diseases.   

BIOL 310, Genetics 

Paul Allee 

P114 

10:30 – 11 AM 

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Joshua McCluskey

Comparing the effects of different classes of medication in the management of hypertension 

The diagnosis of hypertension is common and treatment is frequently viewed as very simple. Treating hypertension takes more than just lowering the blood pressure of an individual. There are comorbidities that affect and are affected by the treatment of hypertension: kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. In this review we discuss the different preferences of using either Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Calcium Channel blockers, Beta Blockers, and Diuretics when managing hypertension with the use of medications. It appears that Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were preferential to the management of kidney disease secondary to hypertension. Calcium channel blockers were additionally found to have an advantage with many cardiovascular diseases while beta blockers were also considered for cardiovascular issues including atrial fibrillation and tachycardia specifically. Beta blockers and Diuretics had minute differences in secondary management of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease when compared. 

CHEM 415, Biochemistry 

Heike McNeil 

P114 

11:30 AM – Noon 

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Kaleb Miles

Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries 

The presentation will provide the basic anatomy of the human nervous system and explore the unfavorable events of spinal cord injury. Followed by the triggered cascades that lead to the lack of normal restorative and regenerative function of the spinal cord. Then the presentation will conclude with an explanation of the top strategies to promote neuroprotection, regeneration, and cell replacement for the spinal cord.   

BIOL 499, Capstone 

Paul Allee 

P114 

2 – 2:30 PM 

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Ikani Naulu, Sarah Reinecker, Dylan Silva & Kyler Stutzman

McDonald’s Grilled Chicken McNuggets 

For our ACE Day presentation, our job was to create a new product aimed to be introduced to an existing company or business. We have created the Grilled Chicken McNugget for the famous fast-food restaurant McDonald’s. Through our presentation, we will be sharing all the information we have learned about a product mix, target segments, branding, and corporate objectives from our marketing course in our brand new product. The presentation will be a mock expo style booth, showcasing our product with visual materials, a prototype, research, credit to the current brand, and how our new product idea will be successful.   

MKTG 330, Marketing 

Tim Veach 

SPS 100 

10 AM – Noon

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Brittany Ralston

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in Female Athletes 

The knee is the largest and the most complex joint within the body, because of this, injury within this joint is a common occurrence. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a tough band of connective tissue that connects one bone to another. The ACL originates from the anterior intercondylar area of the tibia and extends to the lateral condyle of the femur. The ACL’s purpose is to keep the femur and the tibia from extending beyond their normal range. The ACL prevents anterior movement of the tibia as well as hyperextension from the knee. When injured, the ACL does not offer the stability that the knee joint needs for performance among athletes. When an athlete tears their ACL, the person may report hearing, as well as feeling a pop within their knee. Soon after an ACL is ruptured the knee swells. After some of the swelling goes down, individuals can usually walk on their knee but the joint feels unstable and may give out. Because of this, an ACL reconstruction surgery is needed in order to restore full stability to the knee joint and allow athletes to resume normal activities within their sport. The purpose of this review is to systematically look at some of the major risk factors associated with tearing the ACL in order to come to a conclusion on certain preventative measures that need to be taken by athletes in order to successfully lower the risk of an ACL tear.  

BIOL 311, Anatomy and Physiology 

Tammy Bovee 

P114 

11 – 11:30 AM 

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Madeleine Rosebrook

The Valuable Lessons I Learned While Studying Abroad in Sevilla, Spain 

Studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain was a major step outside my comfort zone, but it is a step that I am glad that I took. Living and studying abroad gave me first-hand experience on what it means to live and interact in a different culture and with a different language. While abroad, I took classes to finish my minor in Spanish and fulfill the global business requirement of my Business Administration major. The concepts I learned in the classroom were things I was experiencing in real life and it made my understanding of these concepts much more concrete. Studying abroad enriched my college experience and has given me a unique perspective that many college students lack.   

GLST 295, Study Abroad 

Lauren Riley 

SPS 100 

2 – 2:30 PM

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Christy Seaton

Bushnell History Symposium: King Tut Exhibit and Exhibitation 

Exhibits matter because they bring museums to life. There was a exhibit of the Tut exhibit that consists of remade artifacts. The way something is shown in a exhibit.  By having these artifacts, we keep history alive Each artifact from Egyptian history matters in their cultures. 

HIST 499, Capstone 

Melisa Ortiz Berry 

P103 

10 – 11 AM

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Elyse Smith

rauma in the Classroom   

One in four children attending school have been exposed to a traumatic event. Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences. Children are the most vulnerable and susceptible people to be affected by trauma making schools a likely place to find trauma behaviors. Unfortunately, teachers and administrators, in large, are not informed about what trauma looks like. They are also not informed on how to facilitate teaching strategies in an effort to improve trauma effected students academic performance and behaviors. Two of the most impactful strategies that have been proven to improve students GPA, test scores, absences, detentions, etc include creating a safe classroom environment and building relationships. Some more teaching strategies that are helpful for behavioral issues regarding trauma impacted students include using specific praise, consistent expectations, practicing active listening and modeling empathetic behavior. It is crucial that teachers and administrators are made aware of what trauma looks like in the classroom and how to support their students to improve their academic performance and behavior.   

EDUC 330, Child Development 

Brian Kaelin 

L203, poster #13 

10 AM – Noon

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Jayden Tucker

Sports in Education 

Sports in Education is a vital piece of the high school experience. In my research, I looked at the impact that sports had on the social and cognitive development of high school students. Social and cognitive development are closely related; with social development being our development by interreacting with others and cognitive development being how we progress with skills such as motor skills, problem solving, and memory. In my study, I present that, overall, sports has a positive impact on the social and cognitive development. Sports lets students fine tune motor skills, enhances long term memory skills by learning a playbook, and helps with decision making. On the social development side, I dive in and find that sports increase the self-esteem and self-efficacy of students and this directly relates to the classroom. When a student has a sense of belonging and sense of community in sports, that translates into the classroom setting. I also discuss how Parkinson’s Law debunks the myth that sports takes away from homework time. After looking at both the social and cognitive domains of development, I concluded that sports have more of a positive impact on education and the development of a student than not playing sports. In one of my findings, they found that after analyzing 35,000 high school students, they were present at school 3 more weeks on average than non-athletes and boasted a .55-.75 better GPA than non-athletes. While sports might seem like it just keeps kids out of trouble, it actually enhances the developmental process. 

EDUC 330, Child Development 

Brian Kaelin 

L203, poster #14 

10 AM – Noon 

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Scholar Lunch

Come to L203 at noon. If you’re one of the first to arrive, you can have free pizza. The meal’s entertainment consists of five minute talks by representatives from majors and minors across campus. Speakers will take a single idea they learned from their major or minor coursework, explain it, explain why it’s useful or beautiful, and explain why they personally love it. Scheduled speakers:
Courtney Alldridge, Business
Angela Cusano, Communication
Tessa Galindo, Spanish
Andres Martinez, Accounting
Gabrielle Morales, English
Jordan Norris, Psychology
L203
Noon – 1 PM
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Hannah Adams

What is the Impact of Trauma in the Classroom?
Trauma and stress related instances are a huge concern in the lives of children and young adults around the world. However, one aspect of trauma and stress that we tend to not think about, especially as educators, is how those two factors impact the students that we teach and interact with on a daily basis. This presentation highlights just that and focuses on the six main different types of trauma on the trauma spectrum, as well as various triggers brought on by daily classroom activities that might spark outbreaks with those affected by trauma. Additionally, a traumatic experience gets depicted in the perspective of the teacher, as well as that of the child who has experienced it, and different trauma signals and signs that could occur within the students one might be teaching are also highlighted and explained. Lastly, this presentation covers several different de-escalation strategies that could be used in a potential outburst with a traumatized student(s), A national poll that depicts how trauma has affected children and students long-term who are now adults, as well as what teachers and schools can do to be more informed about the topic of trauma and what they can do to best help their students. My hope is that by presenting this topic to the viewers, they will be able to better understand how crucial it is for future educators to be highly prepared and able to handle and care for traumatized students, as well as to gain a bit of perspective as to what life is like on a daily basis for students who have been affected by trauma and stress.
EDUC 321, Classroom Relations and Management
Brian Kaelin
L203
10 AM – Noon
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Courtney Alldridge, Jenna Christenson & Josh Goins

Business Capstone
Cost Leader with Product Lifecycle Focus. Our extraordinary products are tailored for technology-oriented customers. We provide world-class products backed by fanatical support, delivering an exceptional experience. We also drive great returns for our stakeholders, which include our customers, stockholders, management and employees.
BUS 499, Business Strategy & Policy
Dave Quirk
L204
10 AM – Noon
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Katelyn Allen & Corina Gemini

Classroom Design This presentation explores the ways in which classroom design can both positively and negatively affect classroom management. The purpose of this presentation is to help teachers and future educators alike use classroom design as an effective classroom management strategy. Our research includes seating arrangements, zones of proximity, and effective ways to organize a classroom. Our findings stem from Fred Jones’ book “Tools For Teaching” and our 16-week classroom management course here at NCU.
EDUC 321, Classroom Relations and Management
Brian Kaelin
L203
10 AM – Noon
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Michael Andrews, Joshua Chesnut, Olisaemeka Obianozie & Jacob Pitts

Baldwin Branch
Baldwin is committed to improving the quality of life and human capabilities of society through fostering innovation and conducting rigorous research.
BUS 499, Business Strategy & Policy
Dave Quirk
L204
10 AM – Noon
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Conner Borigo

Mentoring in Female Sports
This project focuses on how mentoring in middle school female basketball is desired to help said athletes to navigate the challenges of being an adolescent female athlete in a male dominated sport. I examine the problem with young women in sports by identifying the internal and external factors that could affect their mental and physical well-being. I also look into the women’s history in general and in respect to athletics. I give a biblical perspective of mentorship from Paul and Timothy’s relationship in 2 Timothy 1-4, and give a model of a successful modern mentorship. With the help of personal interviews with both a mentor and mentee in the local area, this research project will give insight on how to mentor young female basketball athletes.
CM 499, Capstone
Agametochukwu D. Iheanyi-Igwe
P103
10:30 – 11 AM
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Anna Brooks

Prevalence of Concussions in High School Football and Strategies for Prevention
Football players are at high risk of sports-related concussions (SRC), and athletes ages 15 to 19 years are most commonly affected. To preserve young athletes’ long term cognitive function and overall well-being while also prolonging their careers, prevention at the high school level is imperative. The purpose of this literature review is to assess and address prevention strategies of SRC in high school football.
In this presentation, the research of SRC prevention strategies in football will be critiqued, specifically focusing on helmet design versus neck strengthening. Improved helmet technology has not proven to be the most effective tool for preventing concussion, yet most resources are allocated in this area of research. Concussed athletes, however, have demonstrated significantly less neck strength than athletes who did not sustain a concussion. Therefore, it will be argued that implementing neck strengthening to high school football programs is a more effective concussion prevention strategy than consistent helmet upgrades.
EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury
Heike McNeil
P103
1 – 1:30 PM
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Antonio Campos-Perez, Tyler Farmer, Harley Gilpin & Austin Tyner

Andrews Tech. Company
Andrews is a multimillion dollar company. We manufacture sensors, which we market to other manufacturers. They put out products into the devices they sell. Out company was created when the government split a monopoly into identical competitors. Sensors are devices that observe physical conditions. For example, the average cell phone contains dozens of sensors that allow it to interpret touch, spatial orientation, and signal strength. New sensor businesses are created every day in areas as diverse as security, aeronautics and biomedical engineering.
BUS 499, Business Strategy & Policy
Dave Quirk
L204
10 AM – Noon
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Tomás Carradero, Jessica Garner, Ben Olive & Lauren Oliver

Capsim Team Digby
Our mission is to provide a Broad Cost Leader strategy that keeps a strong presence in both high- and low-tech segments. We will strive to keep a competitive advantage over our competition by providing superior products. We attempt to keep our costs at a minimum based on the market. Our ability to keep products in both high- and low-tech will allow us to stay relevant in both segments. Higher-priced products for the industry offer solid value. Our stakeholders are bondholders, customers, stockholders and management. Our automation levels will be high, to keep productions costs low. After we establish our cost leadership position, we will reevaluate our strategy as a whole.
BUS 499, Business Strategy & Policy
Dave Quirk
L204
10 AM – Noon
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Angela Cusano

The Effect of Ministry Events on Perceived Self-Esteem
This project explores whether or not curated women’s ministry events have a positive effect on the attendees of the event. One main component of exploring this topic was the coordination and execution of the ministry event. For the event, I hosted an IF:Local on Northwest Christian University’s campus. This event was aimed toward women of all ages and consisted of simulcasted teachings, live worship, and a free lunch for all attendees. The event lasted from 9am to 3pm and allowed the women to come and go throughout the day. Though no legitimate study was performed to obtain statistically significant results, a survey was administered to all the attendees and collected in order to track any increase or decrease in the attendees’ reported self-esteem. The attendees were asked to take Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (1965) as they arrived and again as they left. This allowed for a change in reported self-esteem to be measured. The self-esteem of the attendees increased by 2.25 points. This represents that the event was a moderate success. Accordingly, It is possible that attendees may be positively affected by attending a curated ministry event.
COMM 499, Capstone
Doyle Srader
P003
1:30 – 2 PM
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Levi Dean

CRISPR
The discovery of DNA and its role in carrying genetic information was discovered in 1953. However, until recently scientists did not know that it could be altered. The development of CRISPR technology allows scientists to edit DNA sequences to alter how a gene functions. This discovery could lead to correcting hereditary diseases, which could potentially eradicate certain diseases indefinitely.
My capstone will describe how CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) works at the molecular level as well as its genome editing ability. I will start by introducing CRISPR, how it works, and how it has developed. From here I will introduce CRISPR’s genome editing abilities and its impact on the medical field such as correcting hereditary diseases. Furthermore, I have observed CRISPR’s effect on Zebra fish genomes in the Miller lab at the University of Oregon and I will share my experience from that. Since CRISPR technology allows scientists to edit DNA sequences to change or correct gene functionality, therefore changing an already developed person, some have found it to be unethical. I will end by discussing the potential ethical issues that CRISPR may have on society.
BIOL 499, Capstone
Paul Allee
P114
2 – 2:30 PM
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Malcolm Fleming

Diversity in Children’s Literature
This presentation focuses on diversity in children’s literature, which is critical because all children need to see themselves reflected in the literature they read. This literature also helps children appreciate individual differences. Researchers found that a majority of children’s literature in school libraries did not reflect racial, religious, SES, gender, disabilities, or sexual identity diversity. Researchers concluded that representations of children from diverse populations in literature must be characterized in ways that are realistic and engaging. For this study I examined current diversity in children’s literature to assess the range of diversity reflected. I went to three higher education libraries; Lane Community College, Northwest Christian University, and the University of Oregon. I examined their children’s literature collections in the following diversity categories; disability, LGBTQ, family/SES, and gender. I also examined racial diversity in each of the previous categories. I examined and evaluated 44 children’s books that ranged from pre-k to high school reading levels. I found that LCC had the most current collection of children’s literature in the four diversity categories. Fourteen of the 44 books addressed family and SES (e.g., divorce, domestic abuse, refugees, immigrant status, incarcerated parents, poverty, foster care). In the disability category the books primarily addressed physical disabilities. In summary, this presentation will stress the importance of exposing children of diverse populations, as well as societally mainstreamed children, to literature that will strengthen their awareness of themselves and others.
PSY 499, Capstone
Mary Ann Winter-Messiers
SPS 101
4 – 4:30 PM
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Elizabeth Gregory

Shared Personality Traits Among Mothers of Children with Autism
Mothers of children with autism may share personality traits and hold related behaviors in common. This presentation will review an exploratory study, the purpose of which was to investigate the intersection of mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and potential personality commonalities and experiences. The researcher conducted a qualitative study, including interviews related to personality traits. Participants were five mothers of children with diverse autism diagnoses, 35 to 61 years of age with children ranging in age from early childhood to young adulthood. Further, the researcher administered the Big Five Personality Inventory, interviews in two individual sessions, an assessment based on mothers’ quotations, and demographic questions. The researcher found strong relations among mothers of children with autism and their similar emergent traits and behaviors becoming more identifiable as their children with autism aged. These traits are seemingly adaptive to the intensive needs and situations that accompany raising children with autism. Comparable identified, developed traits and experiences in the mothers included conscientiousness, agreeableness, gratitude, research and self-education, and social isolation. Based on the findings, the researcher emphasized the critical need for institutional and governmental support, community-wide acceptance and assistance, and overall societal compassion, understanding, and provision of aid for mothers of children with autism.
PSY 499, Capstone
Mary Ann Winter-Messiers
SPS 101
1:30 – 2:30 PM
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Katie Hastings & Emily Shinkle

Classroom Arrangements
For this research project, we explored the impact of seating arrangements on classroom management. For the purposes of this presentation, we looked into proximity, student behavior and engagement, and the different types of seating arrangements. The proximity of the teacher to the students determined the successfulness of both the behavior of the students and the seating arrangements. From our experiences in the classroom, we have observed the benefits and down falls to various seating arrangements. To conclude, we will address the effectiveness of room arrangements according to different subjects.
EDUC 321, Classroom Relations and Management
Brian Kaelin
L203
10 AM – Noon
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Molly Holmberg

My Semester in Music City
During my time in Nashville, I threw myself into the music industry doing graphic design, photography and videography for some of the top artists in country music. It was through those experiences I learned how to work with industry officials, tight deadlines, communication skills, making connections, and how to work from the ground up all while building up my reputation and portfolio. It was those skills and more that I learned going to a place where I knew no one and truly finding my passion. I have taken those skills and a new outlook and brought it back to NCU and the education program, determined to grow alongside others around me for the benefit of the generation that will be coming up through our schools here in Eugene.
GLST 295, Study Abroad
Lauren Riley
P114
10:30 – 11 AM
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Shahaley Holzgang & Bri Reay

What Research Says About Behavior Charts
Research says that using behavior charts in the classroom can be incredibly harmful to a student’s self-efficacy. Any good that can be accomplished (self-regulation skills, motivation, management) can be accomplished using other methods.
EDUC 321, Classroom Relations and Management
Brian Kaelin
L203
10 AM – Noon
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Amarachi Irechukwu

BioNutrition
Nutrition and genetics play a huge role when it comes to weight loss and weight gain. Both of these two things together can help to create a more personalized diet for a patient. Nutrition is a huge reason why some people gain and lose weight faster than others. It is the caloric consumption that can help us determine if we will store the remaining energy after our body uses it for cellular functions. Also it helps us determine if you are not getting enough energy for cellular functions causing you to starve yourself. A well balance diet can promote healthy weight loss and help with maintaining weight. If we can figure out what a person’s body has the easiest time to digest/ break down we can truly understand how their body reacts to different foods. Giving us an opportunity to develop a diet plan for them. Another thing to consider is that genes play a role in weight loss. Genes has the ability to give us information about someone predetermine health issues, their body weight composition, your ability to lose or gain weight and so much more. We will look at how a genetic component can help us to create a better diet. Or even to see if genes do not matter when it comes to dieting. In the realm of biology we are also going to go further in-depth and explore the microbial community in your gut and how it plays an important role in digestions and breaking down certain foods. This is a big thing to consider because without the bacteria in your gut you would have a hard time breaking foods down into energy. This community is essential for digestions. Furthermore, I want to create an understanding on why market diets don’t work and how I can create a more personalize diet plan to promote health weight loss.
BIOL 499, Capstone
Paul Allee
P114
2:30 – 3 PM
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Maya Jenkins & Katy Noel

Persuasion and Course Evaluations
A great deal of research has been conducted regarding the reasons that students are likely to complete quality course evaluations. However, little research has been done to analyze what persuasive strategies would produce the most participation and best quality course evaluations on a small campus like Northwest Christian University (NCU). Based on prior research regarding strategies used to promote participation in course evaluations, we propose a persuasive strategy for NCU with three conditions: classroom settings, broadcast, and one-on-one conditions.
Keywords: persuasion, course evaluations, NCU
COMM 450, Persuasion
Doyle Srader
P003
2:30 – 3 PM
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Madison Jones

Rotator cuff stresses in baseball and softball and why there should be pitch counts in both
The purpose this literature review is to demonstrate that softball and baseball pitching place a very similar amount of stress on the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that help hold together the shoulder joint and provide the athlete the stability as well as the mobility necessary to perform the pitching motion. Resisting glenohumeral distraction is one of the biggest stresses seen within both pitching motions – this means that the muscles within the shoulder, especially the rotator cuff, are not allowing separation or pulling apart of the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint). The repetitiveness of each pitching motion creates overuse injuries within the rotator cuff. In this literature review, it was concluded that the main cause of stress within the softball as well as the baseball pitching motions is the resistance of the glenohumeral distraction, and that the stresses within both sports are indeed similar. Therefore, softball should have pitch count regulations just as baseball does – and it seems like a major oversight to implement rules to protect athletes in baseball but have no such rules for softball players.
EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury
Heike McNeil
P103
1:30 – 2 PM
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Taylorann Matz

Homeless Adolescents and Faith
This project seeks inform listeners on how faith contributes to the development in homeless adolescents through a general overview of sources. Homeless adolescents need to have a sense of belonging to a group, a sense of hope, a sense of being loved, and a sense of purpose. This project looks at a biblical approach to addressing these needs with in a shelter environment.
Keywords: homeless, adolescents, faith, development
CM 499, Capstone
Agametochukwu D. Iheanyi-Igwe
P103
11 – 11:30 AM
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Emily Moon

Importance of Physical Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Patients
Cerebral Palsy is the most common disability in childhood. It is caused by damage to the brain and affects more than 17 million people worldwide. The effects of cerebral palsy include joint deformities and changes in muscle tone and muscular development. This eventually causes lifelong gait problems. In the past, invasive surgery has been the most common treatment for patients with cerebral palsy. In this literature review, new research is presented that shows success using physical therapy. Gait stability treatment through physical therapy has been found to help patients as it allows them to live a relatively normal life. In this presentation, the importance of physical therapy for patients with cerebral palsy through flexibility, mobility, and strengthening exercises as well as new virtual techniques that are being implemented into the treatment, will be discussed.
EXSC 425, Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury
Heike McNeil
P103
2 – 2:30 PM
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Gabrielle Morales

‘Uncertainty was attached to everything he knew’: The Intergenerational Transmission of Functional Illiteracy
When the U.S. federal 2020 fiscal year budget was announced in March of 2019, the notice of an 11.4% cut in k-12 programs generated an uproar among educators, journalists, and news broadcasters (U.S. Department of Education, 2019, p. 119). Yet, little attention was given with respect for the 24.3% cut in Adult Basic and Literacy Education, as well as an identical 24.3% cut in English (Speakers of another Language) Literacy and Civics Education—of which equal a combined decrease of 48.6% in adult literacy programs (U.S. Department of Education, 2019, p. 120). Little effort has been made for the functionally illiterate parent. President Bill Clinton’s efforts to, “end welfare as we know it,” in 1996 sought to decrease the number of families on welfare rather than decrease the number of families living in deep poverty. With this reform came stringent welfare eligibility requirements and uncompromising General Educational Development assessments (GED) within Adult Basic Education programs (ABE). Meanwhile, within the past three years, there have been zero cutbacks in Career and Technical Education or Vocational and Adult Education grants—thus confining impoverished and illiterate citizens to careers within the manufacturing industry; such programs offer diminutive literacy education. Historically, welfare and adult education reforms have denied opportunities for low-literate and functionally illiterate adults. In thwarting one’s ability to read and write, the intergenerational transmission of functional illiteracy remains. To be clear, this thesis does not serve as a claim against the alleged ‘brokenness’ of the K-12 education system or welfare system. Rather, it serves to take part in the current body of literature—of which asserts the need for improvement within the adult education system.
Keywords: intergenerational functional illiteracy, united states, adult education
ENG 499, Capstone
Jenee Cazares & James Watson
P114
10-10:30 AM
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Luiz Muñoz

Elementary School Students At-Risk for Academic Failure
For decades, children in the US school system who are at-risk, have been neglected and avoided by teachers and administrators, exposing them to the likelihood of academic failure. In elementary school, children at-risk show signs of academic struggle when their grades fall below the class average. These children may be less likely to demonstrate academic success in school than their peers who are not at-risk. Thus, this presentation reviews four research trends in children at-risk for academic failure in elementary school. First, children at-risk may experience academic failure due to reading difficulties. Next, they may experience academic failure due to low math skills. Furthermore, children who are at-risk for academic failure may come from low SES homes. Finally, children at-risk for academic failure may reside in foster care. These common factors are four of many that may cause a child to be at-risk in academic progress. Researchers reported that if students at-risk do not have early help with their reading, they will fail academically. Due to their lack of curricular understanding in reading and math, children also expressed heightened anxiety and/or anger while being subjected to classroom testing. Moreover, children from low SES families or residential foster care who changed schools three to four times over a five-year period demonstrated higher cognitive dysregulation, which negatively affected their academic capabilities. Future directions for research will be discussed, including the need to conduct longitudinal studies that evaluate participants’ academic progress throughout future grade levels.
PSY 499, Capstone
Mary Ann Winter-Messiers
SPS 101
2:30 – 3 PM
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Morgan Newton

Why we should have classroom jobs in the third grade?
My research question is “Why should we have classroom jobs in Third-Grade?” My main points as to why will be to teach students responsibility, it builds a sense of community, so as a teach you don’t “bop ‘til you drop,” you should never do something for your students that they are capable of doing themselves. Also, Erikson’s stages of development: Industry vs. Inferior which students at this age want a sense of industry. Children start to have a sense of pride and accomplishment for their work. I will then discuss a few examples of how to go about classroom jobs including applications, rotating students and my own personal experiences.
EDUC 321, Classroom Relations and Management
Brian Kaelin
L203
10 AM – Noon
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Katy Noel

Discipleship and Communication
Though research has been done studying the relationship between Christianity and communication, the focus has been primarily on conversion and less on discipleship. Discipleship in this context can be understood as a mentor/mentee relationship between a mature Christian and a developing Christian. I have interviewed people who have been discipled to see what communicative themes would arise as effective/ineffective pertaining to their discipleship experience. Preliminary findings show that consistency, mutual self-disclosure, effective use of technology, ability to initiate hard conversations, and time spent together are common communicative themes present in a fruitful discipleship relationship.
COMM 499, Capstone
Doyle Srader
P003
2 – 2:30 PM
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Jordan Norris

Do religious people have destiny beliefs in their relationships?
Implicit theories of relationships play an important role in determining the outcome of a relationship. There are two main beliefs people hold, destiny or growth. Destiny beliefs were defined as evaluating a potential partner on compatibility. Growth beliefs were defined as cultivated over time and viewing disagreements as a way to grow the relationship. The Santa Clara strength of religious faith measures the participants strength of religious faith. In the present study, participants are surveyed on their relational beliefs and their strength of religious faith. Based on the literature, the hypothesis is the participants who have strong religious faith will believe in more destiny beliefs in their relationships. The participants were surveyed on their strength of religious faith and their implicit theories of relationships. The results did not support the hypothesis as there was a weak correlation among both beliefs and religious faith. Research limitations and future research are discussed, including the need for more diverse ways to reach participants to best represent the population.
COMM 499, Capstone
Doyle Srader
P003
10:30 – 11 AM
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Jordan Norris

The Impact of Religious Belief on Domestic Violence
Women of faith around the world have long been oppressed by their intimate partners due to manipulation of biblical texts. This epidemic transcends culture, countries, and religion. Women of faith, however, may become more resilient after experiencing domestic violence. Thus, this presentation reviews four research trends of the interplay between religion and domestic violence. First, the exposure of men to domestic violence in childhood may predict their engaging in domestic violence in their own marriages. Next, women of faith may withstand domestic violence because of biblical gender roles enforced by their husbands. Moreover, women of faith may remain in situations of domestic violence due to being economically dependent on their husband. Finally, additional training and education may be needed in order to counsel victims who experienced domestic violence. These elements of domestic violence among women of faith may be perpetrated by the language and culture of religious institutions endorsing female submission. These institutions may have supported this because many clergy felt ill-equipped in handling situations of domestic violence, leading them to avoid confronting male perpetrators of domestic violence in their faith communities. Future directions for research will be discussed, including the need to explore domestic violence in other countries and other religions, e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism, and Mormonism, in order to gain a more accurate picture of the ways in which domestic violence transcends religions.
PSY 499, Capstone
Mary Ann Winter-Messiers
SPS 101
3 – 3:30 PM
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Kayla Olson & Carly Sand

What are incentives and how can teachers use them in the classroom?
Our presentation is about incentives and how they are used by teachers in the classroom. We talk about the definition of an incentive, some benefits, and some examples. We are aspiring educators in the elementary and the secondary side so we focus on examples for both of those levels. Our examples leak over into both sides of elementary and secondary levels and we will explain how to use them in both sides. Our research came from multiple sources like our textbooks we used in our classes and other outside sources. Our focus is on what incentives are and examples on how to use them. Naturally, benefits will come in when we explain how to use them in each level of teaching.
EDUC 321, Classroom Relations and Management
Brian Kaelin
L203
10 AM – Noon
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