5581 research outputs found
Sort by
Windows into Refugee Lives: Using Graphic Novels to Cultivate Empathy and Understanding Across K-12 Classrooms
No full textGraphic novels, like When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar
Mohamed, provides a powerful gateway for teachers to foster empathy and understanding with K12 students. This article explores how graphic novels combine visual storytelling with text to engage learners of all ages in discussions about refugee experiences. By integrating reflective activities and critical literacy strategies adaptable across grade levels, educators can use graphic novels to build cultural awareness, deepen comprehension, and inspire students to connect with global issues meaningfully. The article offers grade-specific implementation strategies that can be scaled appropriately for elementary, middle, and high school contexts
Bridgewater College, Photograph of Professor Ellen Bailey advising a student, undated
No full textArchival photograph from Bridgewater College Special Collectionshttps://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/b_last_name_individuals_photos/1095/thumbnail.jp
Vol. 100, No. 2 | Fall 2025
No full textCelebrating Our Connectionshttps://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/bridgewater_magazine/1374/thumbnail.jp
Bridgewater College, Photograph of John Curry at a computer, mid 1980s
No full textArchival photograph from Bridgewater College Special Collectionshttps://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/c_last_name_individuals_photos/1002/thumbnail.jp
Starstrike: The First Chapter
Get PDFStarstrike is an original superhero character I created in the summer of 2023 for a comic book cover used in a VCU portfolio. In Bridgewater’s Graphic Design class, I updated that comic book cover and developed the foundations of Starstrike’s story for the honors upgrade. I wanted to utilize the skills I learned in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign in a creative and personal project. I decided to expand on this work for my honors project last semester and create a showcase of my writing, illustration, and design skills. The art was created using the free digital drawing program, Krita, and the comic layout and text were added with Adobe Photoshop. I also created a logo for Starstrike that I used for my comic cover, paper, and presentation. My final deliverable was a printed and digital version of the comic. To keep the page count of the book short, I explained the origin of Starstrike’s powers and the introduction of her main adversary. However, not everything is revealed, leaving the reader with a desire to read more.
The bulk of my research came from Peter Coogan’s book, Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre, which details the history and conventions of the superhero genre. I used this research to develop my character’s motivations and the basis of my story. I also included research into astronomy and Egyptian mythology, which influenced Starstrike’s cosmic powers and the villain’s motivations. My research was compiled into a paper also including a report of my project development and a reflection of the entire process
The badge he wore
Get PDFThe Badge He Wore is a poignant reflection on sacrifice, duty, and love. Through vivid imagery, the poem portrays the badge as more than metal—a symbol of a protector’s unyielding promise to serve others. It explores the weight of responsibility, the courage to face fear, and the ultimate act of laying down one’s life for another. The badge becomes a testament to a life of selflessness, a bond with the people it protects, and a legacy of a hero who gave all. This piece honors the humanity behind the badge, reminding us of the cost of true bravery
Bridgewater College, Photograph of Coach Daniel Antolik and football players, undated
No full textArchival photograph from Bridgewater College Special Collectionshttps://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/a_last_name_individuals_photos/1023/thumbnail.jp
Assessing Implications Through General Strain Theory: Comparative Analysis of Crime Rates in Flint and Pontiac Michigan
Get PDFFlint, Michigan suffered a city water change from the Great Lake’s Lake Huron water pipeline to an old system using the Flint River as the main source of water (Reuben, et al., 2022). The change took place in an effort to make budget cuts (Denchak, 2024). The switch occurred before checking the safety of the pipes, which were severely corroded (Reuben, et al., 2022). Lead poisoning and Legionnaires disease spread through the Flint community and the water was visibly not safe for use (Reuben, et al., 2022). The people of Flint experienced stress that they could not control. They feared for their children contracting lead poisoning and getting skin rashes, as well as themselves (Reuben, et al., 2022). An analysis using Robert Agnew’s general strain theory, was performed assuming crime rates would rise in response to the added stress on Flint, Michigan residents. Pontiac, Michigan was used as the control in the study, since the two cities have similar racial, socio-economic, and geographic features (Pontiac, MI, 2025). Several indications of stress were assessed including M-STAT scores taken by younger children, SAT scores, fertility rates, and population change. Significant variation in these factors suggest Flint did in fact undergo high levels of strain. Further findings suggest the crime rate in Flint, Michigan decreased in 2015, indicating other potential variables and sociological explanations at work
Reading the Players: Developing Critical Consumers of Sports Media
Get PDFSports media is ubiquitous, and English Language Arts (ELA) teachers can use topics around current sporting activities and events in the classroom to engage readers and to teach skills of critical media literacy. Serving as a primer on critical media literacy, this article, grounded in educational theory, gives practical and easily accessible texts and creative lesson ideas to spark engagement, build community, encourage collaboration and foster achievement in secondary ELA classrooms