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A Review of the Univeristy of Wisconsin-Superior Secondary Education Science Curriculum
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Balcer, Department of Biology and Earth Science
ABSTRACT: This study examines what course work is necessary for future instructors to effectively teach to the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards as well as to excel at the new Praxis II exam. The curricula from four colleges were compared to see how those schools are preparing their undergraduates for becoming an instructor of Biology at the secondary educational level. The University of Wisconsin-Superior, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Univeristy of Minnesota-Duluth, and College of St. Scholastica were the schools examined. It was found that the curriculum of the University of Wisconsin-Superior would benfit by adding course work in Physics, Earth Science and Geology, whereas the University of Minnesota-Duluth has a well rounded and thorough curriculum for its graduating science teachers.
Surface Characterization of Thin Polymer Films Deposited by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) Using Water Contact Angle Measurements
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John F. Evans, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota-Duluth
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this experiment is to explore the use of plasma polymerization in the preparation of thin polymet films for microelectronic, and sensor applications ranging from the fabrication of organic and inorganic optoelectronics structures to implantable medical devices.
Health Insurance Preferences of Duluth Small Businesses
Faculty Mentor: Professor Elizabeth Twining Blue, Department of Human Behavior and Diversity
ABSTRACT: Research was conducted to find out what Duluth small business owners or managers considered were their health insuracne preferences and concerns about health insurance and health care. An overwhelming majority said health insuracne and health care costs were too high. A small majority of the business owners surveyed provided health insurance to their employees. These same business owners reported that because of the increasing cost of health insurance premiums, they intended to pursue other less costly options in providing this benefit. In addition, they offered various solutions in porviding health insurance to their employees, which included a government-ran one-payer system; allowing the free market to dictate the price of health care, each person being responsible for buying his/her own insurance; and the government porviding tax credits for when people buy insurance.
Plant Community Succession in Mitigated Wetlands: A Need for Long Term Monitoring
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Balcer, Department of Biology and Earth Science
ABSTRACT: The Gordon MacQuarrie Wetland Mitigation Site has been a functional wetland since 1997. Wetlands were replaced that were lost in the construction of State Highways 53 adn 35 in northern Wisconsin. This wetland plant community was monitored for five years beginning in 1992, with the final delineation occurring in 1997. This study is focused on comparing plant community data which was collected in teh summers of 1993, 1995, and 1997 as well as data collected in the summer of 2005. In this comparison major changes in the plant community have occurred: Decreased open water, increased plant cover, and a shift from a mix of upland and obligate wetland plant species, to a plant community which is entirely of wetland plant species.
The Changing Face of History: The Law and Writing of America's Past
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Pulford, Department of History, Politics and Society
ABSTRACT: Archaeological and anthropological research, excavation and artifact management practices, laws, and guidelines have changed over the last several decades to become more culturally sensitive to indigenous peoples. United States lawmakers have tried to respond to both Native Americans and the historical community and have passed legislation to protect the interests of all concerned. However, there is still controversy over methods used, what is or is not sacred, and where materials should be stored and how, and who "owns" artifacts. Although history is subjective, the deconstruction and reconstruction of it in order to porduce an account of the past may or may not be impeded by current legislation.
Do Media Affect Self-Esteem Cross Culturally
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Lloyd, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Duluth
ABSTRACT: This study examines the effect the media have on self-esteem and how self-esteem is affected cross culturally. The Self-Esteem Inventory and EDI-2 (eating disorder inventory) was used on apporximately 100 female subjects. The self-esteem assessment was taken before and after the viewing of a slide show of media images. The results indicate the effect the media has on self-esteem.
Attitudes Towards Marijuana: A Survey
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gary Keveles, Department of History, Politics and Society
ABSTRACT: This study examines the difference in attitudes toward marijuana among UW-Superior criminal justice majors when compared to other majors. Criminal justice employees and students are directly involved with the problems caused by marijuana, as well as other drugs that affect the criminal justice system. Findings from the survey reveal that there is a slight difference in the attittudes of criminal justice majors compared to non criminal justice majors.
Privatization: Its Impact on the Efficiency of Governments and the Wellbeing of Citizens
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Schanning, Department of Sociology, Northland College
ABSTRACT: Privatization is an ambiguous process that has been subject to a great deal of criticism. However, studies have been done on firms that were once government owned and economically inefficient that have turned to privatization with positive results. Other studies have been more concerned with the effects that privatization has on the welfare of citizens, and most of these studies point to the shortfalls of privatization. Using a sample of 62 countries, this study analyzes the relationship between privatization and teh efficiency of governments and various indicators of wellbeing. The findings indicate that privatization is positively associated with: the efficiency of the government, the Human Development Index score in a country, a decrease of undernourishment, and an increase in the population with access to water. The study also finds a negative relationship between privatization and private consumption. These results confirm and disconfirm divergence theory.
Intonation in Performance Practice: A Historical, Mathematical and Aural Comparison of Four Tunings
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Matthew Faerber, Department of Music
ABSTRACT: This paper explores several different scale intonations and temperments, including Pythagorean intonation, limit-5 just intonation, mean-tone temperament, and equal temperament. Historical context is provided as well as possible reasons for the development of new temperaments and intonations. These temperaments and intonations are compared mathematically and musically with pure intonation. A primary focus of the provision, for aural analysis and comparison, of a computer generated audio recording of each of the specified intonations and temperaments. There are also graphical representations comparing different temperaments and intonations.
Clients' Experiences with CASDA
Faculty Mentor: Professor Elizabeth Twining Blue, Department of Human Behavior and Diversity
ABSTRACT: This study was designed to examine the experiences former clients of the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA) had with the programs and services they received. The data was collected using face-to-face interviews with five such individuals, who were clients between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004. The participants provided their personal views about services and programs, as well as offered suggestions for improvement.
Changing Tribal Governments
Faculty Mentor: Assistant Professor Gary Johnson, Department of First Nations Studies
ABSTRACT: In 1934, the Indian Reorganization Act was passed. This act created tribal governments as we know them today. In recent times, however, there has been a move among Indian people to reconnect with their past, reconnect with their traditions. One of the places that this can be seen is in the changes that are being made to the current government structures that make them more reflective of the traditional structures. Some tribes are more in favor of returning to a more traditional structure than others and some feel that a blend of the two is needed to work for the Indian people of today.