| Alumni Links |
| 2006 Alumni |
| 2005 Alumni |
| 2004 Alumni |
| 2003 Alumni |
| 2002 Alumni |
| 2001 Alumni |
| 2000 Alumni |
Study of Statistical and Probabilistic Reasoning and Misconceptions among Selected College Students
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dorothy Anway, Mathematics and Computer Science
ABSTRACT: This study assesses two things: first, preconceived statistical and probabilistic reasoning skills and misconceptions that selected college students brought to the college classroom; and second, these students′ learning subsequent to a college level mathematics class unit on probability and statistics. This inquiry then expands into an analysis of the students′ most common correct reasoning types, their most prevalent misconceptions, and areas of greatest improvement. Results were expected to demonstrate that the students, upon completion of the education unit, showed significantly more correct reasoning skills, significantly fewer misconceptions, or both. The data did not yield the expected results. It is evident that current classroom methods did not significantly affect student learning as defined in this study.
Omar Casanova
Mathematics
Concerning 2000-2001 Matson ⁄ Foss Herbivory Data from the Aspen FACE Site
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kathryn Lenz, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Minnesota Duluth
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this project is to analyze bug damage data for aspen trees at the Free Air Carbon Dioxide and Ozone Enrichment experiment, in Rhinelander, WI. Bill Matson and his graduate assistant Anita Foss collected the data in the summers of 2000 and 2001. The end result of this project is a better understanding of the numerous data sets collected. In particular, this research centered on the percentage of damage done to aspen 259 trees by defoliation, stippling, and fungus.
Hattie Crass
Psychology
Does Motivation to Control Affect Aggression?
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hal Bertilson, Psychology
ABSTRACT: The present study investigated the relationship between the levels of control a person feels they have in their life and their aggression level to obtain a specific status of control in their lives. Students anonymously answered three different questionnaires: Locus of Control questionnaire (Rotter, 1966), the Desirability for Control (Burger & Cooper, 1979) instrument, and the Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992). A positive correlation between desirability of control and verbal aggression was predicted and confirmed, as well as with hostility. Not related to desirability of control were physical aggression and anger. The results of this study inform us that a person identified with a high desire for control will express more aggressive tendencies, such as persuading or coercing another person through means of verbal and hostile behavior to accomplish what they desire. Conversely, a person with a low desire for control will express a lesser amount of aggressive tendencies.
Kari Eliason
English and Secondary Education
Shakespeare′s Rebel Women
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Raychell Reiff, English
ABSTRACT: William Shakespeare′s women are in rebellion against societal norms. Shakespeare creates female characters surpassing the confines of their cultures while seeking to assert their rights. Adriana from Comedy of Errors and Kate fromThe Taming of the Shrew are more than stereotypical shrews; Shakespeare portrays both as intelligent women, skillful with the use of words. Hermia from a Midsummer Night′s Dream and Juliet from Romeo and Juliet are young women in love who choose their own mates. Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing resists social conventions and yearns for a match made from mutual trust. Cordelia from King Lear is a person who follows her conscience at all costs. The complex characters demonstrate women trying to reshape society to find their rightful place in it.
Andenet Emiru
Management Information Systems
A Re-Examination of Alexander′s Theory and Process of Design for Software Development
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nik Hassan, Finance and Information Science Management, University of Minnesota Duluth
ABSTRACT: The goal of this research is to re-examine the current popularity of using software patterns to enhance the quality of software development within the software industry. This study reviews the software development landscape and suggests that because the software patterns movement is going farther away from Christopher Alexander′s original pattern language and design theories, the current software patterns movement will not significantly impact the software industry. This study proposes a combination of Alexander′s pattern language and current component-based development approaches in developing software called "component patterns." Four systems analysts were interviewed to explore the viability of using components patterns in their development process. The results show that component patterns hold promise for improving the process of software design.
Melody Hernandez
American Indian Studies
American Indians and Special Education in Early Childhood
Faculty Mentor: Mr. Alvin (Chip) Beal, First Nations Studies
ABSTRACT: American Indian children are placed in special education classrooms at a higher rate than any other minority group. This paper examines existing theories as to how to correct the imbalance. It also looks specifically at a tribally run Head Start located near Cloquet, Minnesota on the Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa Reservation. The paper examines the practices of the early childhood special educator and how hey relate to the theories in existence.
The paper primarily examines standardized testing, culture and values, and how these tests do not accurately reflect the world of American Indian children. Until such a test is developed, results should be viewed as unreliable. The paper demonstrates that the culture in which American Indian children are brought up differs drastically from mainstream culture and the child should be viewed in terms of his ⁄ her culture. If the educator takes time to view the child as a product of his ⁄ her culture, the child is less likely to be inaccurately placed in special education. If the culture is not integrated into the classroom and appreciated, the child will suffer. The paper also shows that the value system of American Indians is different from that of the majority culture. The educator should try to understand the value system of the tribe with which the child is affiliated in order to better understand the child.
Tanya Johnson
Vocal Performance, Choral Music, and General Music
Correlation Between Voice Classification and Personality Traits
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Matthew Faerber, Music
ABSTRACT: This study was created to find a correlation between vocal classifications (soprano, tenor, alto, and bass) and personality traits. For this project, the Personal Style Inventory personality test and the Specific Trait Personality Test were used to determine whether there were significant differences between the classifications, as hypothesized.
Though there were many surprising similarities in the varying classifications, results show that the stereotypical personality traits were generally confirmed in the surveyed.
Genelle Lamont
Cell ⁄ Molecular Biology, Environmental Studies, and Spanish
Comparison of the Effects of Alkaloids Present in Traditional Native American Medicinal Plants on Melanoma and Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jon Holy, Medicine, University of Minnesota Duluth
ABSTRACT: Many studies on dietary and medicinal herbs have suggested that they may be useful in chemotherapy and chemoprevention. While many of these studies have focused on Chinese or Ayurvedic medicinal herbs, little research has looked at preparations used in traditional Native American medicine. Two alkaloid phytochemicals, Berberine and Sanguinarine, found in the Native American herbs goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) and bloodroot (Sanguinarine canadensis L.) were studied in two more invasive (M2 and 231) and two less invasive (M10 and MCF-7) melanoma and breast cancer cell lines, respectively. Proliferation assays found that Sanguinarine was equally potent in all four cancer cell lines and 231-breast cancer cells were more sensitive to Berberine. Antibody labeling with BrdU, PCNA, and cyclin D1 found that DNA synthesis and cyclin D1 was effected in Sanguinarine treated MCF-7 cells only. Additionally, nuclear morphological changes were observed in all Berberine and Sanguinarine treated cell lines consistent with apoptotic cells. These findings suggest a G1 ⁄ S or S-phase arrest, but whether or not this is a cause or consequence of apoptosis has yet to be determined.
Christen McAlpine
Biology
The Role of PPARγ in Min-Induced Tumorigenesis and Its Relation to Pla2g2a
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Cormier, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth
ABSTRACT: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a member of the PPAR family of nuclear receptor transcriptional activators. This family is important in body-plan specification, cell differentiation, and regulation of metabolism. PPARγ has undergone various experiments to determine whether it plays a role as a tumorigenesis suppressor. Some studies have found supporting evidence indicating that PPARγ is a tumor suppressor in B6 mouse strains. However, other studies found refuting evidence, labeling PPARγ as a tumor inducer in mouse strains mutant for the adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) gene. Phospholipase A2 group IIA (Pla2g2a) gene is a component of the Modifier of Min-1 (Mom-1) locus found on distal mouse chromosome 4. B6 mouse strains of inbred mice carry a mutant non-functional version of Pla2g2a. In one study, a wildtype Pla2g2a gene demonstrated tumor resistance in the presence of a mutant Apc gene. Based on the results from the previous experiments, we designed a genetic experiment to determine if PPARγ is a tumor suppressor in the B6-ApcMin ⁄ + mouse line and to determine if PPARγ action in the Min-mouse genetically interacts with a wildtype Pla2g2a gene.
Jeffrey Melton
Indian Cultural Studies
Preserving Indigenous Languages: The Heart of Native America
Faculty Mentor: Mr. Gary Johnson, First Nations Studies
ABSTRACT: Native American language is an important aspect of Native American culture. It is a significant part of each tribe′s individual cultural identity. However, Native languages may also play a crucial role in establishing American Indian nations as sovereign nations. It is still feared by some language instructors and cultural preservationists that language loss is not being taken as seriously as it should. Native languages are endangered, which is of grave importance because loss of language may result in the loss of cultural identity and sovereignty. Measures are being taken to prevent this extinction by using classroom time and emergence programs.
Patrice Overton
Theater ⁄ Acting
An Exploration of Successful Black Actors in Film in Relation to Education
Faculty Mentor: Mr. Thomas Isbell, Theater, University of Minnesota Duluth
ABSTRACT: Blacks have been trying to fit into the acting business since the early 1900s. Today the business seems to be changing for blacks, but roles are still limited. Parts one through six take the reader through the trials and tribulations blacks have had with fitting in. Part seven examines whether education will benefit blacks in the film industry.
Charles Shryer
Broad Field Social Studies and Secondary Education
The Roles of the Military in the History of Benin (Dahomey): 1870-Present
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nkasa Yelengi, History, University of Minnesota Duluth
ABSTRACT: The political history of West Africa over the past 130 years has been constantly influenced by the actions of the military in the region. In the 1880s, when Europe′s most powerful states became interested in economic opportunities in Africa, the Europeans agreed to share the potential wealth and so partitioned the continent among themselves. African resistance was valiant, but the Europeans were unrelenting and eventually victorious. For the next sixty years, France occupied and exploited West Africa. The 1960s ushered in an age of independence for the former colony of French West Africa. Independence led to a myriad of military regimes throughout the region, which lasted until democracy was introduced in the early 1990s in many countries.