California State University, Monterey Bay
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Evaluating Parent Workshops To Reduce Sexual Health Misinformation
No full textThis capstone project addressed the problem of sexual health misinformation among youth in Santa Cruz County, which stems from cultural factors, limited parental communication, and inadequate comprehensive sexual health education. Implemented through the Santa Cruz County Public Health Department’s Teen Health Outreach (THO) program, the project evaluated the effectiveness of parent workshops designed to build the capacity of adults’ knowledge and confidence to discuss sexual and reproductive health topics with youth. Serving primarily Hispanic/Latino communities in Watsonville and Freedom, THO collaborates with local schools and organizations to deliver workshops. The intervention aimed to reduce misinformation by empowering parents as trusted sources of accurate information. Quantitative results from the workshop at Rolling Hills Middle School showed increases in participants’ confidence, knowledge, and comfort discussing sexual health, confirming the project met its expected outcomes despite a small sample size. Qualitative interviews revealed barriers such as work schedules, digital literacy, and language diversity. Recommendations include expanding outreach through recorded or webinar-based workshops, incorporating Mixteco interpretation, and leveraging community events to reach key stakeholders. These steps can strengthen THO’s capacity to reduce health misinformation and foster informed, supportive family communication
Nutrition Education’s Role in Shaping Healthy Habits
No full textAddressing inadequate nutrition education is essential for improving the long-term health of elementary students in Monterey County. Implemented through the CalFresh Healthy Living Program at the Monterey County Office of Education, this project delivered nutrition lessons to low-income, primarily Hispanic/Latino communities experiencing socioeconomic barriers and high food insecurity. The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the MyPlate curriculum using pre- and post-surveys developed by the Dairy Council for 3rd-grade students at Castroville Elementary participating in Integrated Outreach and Education (IOE) lessons. A convenience sampling approach was used, combining classroom instruction with survey-based assessment to measure changes in nutrition knowledge. Expected outcomes included improved understanding of healthy eating concepts and the identification of learning gaps. The results indicated whether student knowledge increased after the lessons and helped assess the program’s overall effectiveness. These findings will guide recommendations to strengthen lesson quality, improve engagement, and support continued nutrition education to promote long-term healthy habits
Little Hands, Big Impact: Building Responsibility and Environmental Awareness in Preschoolers
No full textThis capstone project focuses on social skills development, specifically teaching preschool-aged children environmental responsibility and the importance of cleaning up after themselves. Learning to take responsibility for their own actions fosters independence, cooperation, and respect for shared spaces; yet, many young children struggle with this concept due to their egocentric stage of development (Piaget, 1952). Preschoolers might not understand how their actions impact other people or the environment. To meet this need, I presented a 90-minute interactive lesson plan for preschoolers (aged 3-5) at Seaside Child Development Center that teaches children how even seemingly insignificant things, like tidying up their toys, can help create a cleaner, healthier world. This project intends to give young learners the fundamental skills that promote individual accountability, teamwork, and a lifetime respect and responsibility for the environment around them
Recording Alternative Rock Guitar: Gear, Techniques, and Implementation
No full textThis paper examines the tools, techniques, and creative decisions involved in recording alternative rock guitar, with particular attention to how genre defining sounds are achieved through gear choice, signal chains, microphone placement, and digital workflows. Drawing on historical context and influential alternative rock artists, the study outlines common guitars, amplifiers, pedals, and recording practices associated with the genre. These concepts are then applied to a practical case study: the recording of guitar parts for the band Phone Booth. By combining traditional amplifier recording with modern digital amp modeling, this project demonstrates how alternative rock guitar tones can be achieved without reliance on expensive or boutique equipment
Democratizing Music Production Through Technology
No full textThis paper explores the history of recording technology and the effects of innovations on recording contemporary music. It follows the changing roles and relationships between artist and producer, as well as a brief look into the recording of our album as a real-time example
Residual Effect of Silicate Agromineral Application on Soil Acidity, Mineral Availability, and Soybean Anatomy
Full text linkSilicate agrominerals (SA) may be sustainable soil amendments that can minimize dependence on conventional fertilizers (CF). We evaluated the residual effects of SA application as a source of Si and as a soil remineralizer, using soils with contrasting chemical-physical features cultivated with soybean. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions and treatments were arranged in a 5 × 2 + 2 factorial scheme: five rates of SA, two soils in addition to CF. The soil was incubated before cultivation, followed by the sequential sowing of corn and soybean. At the R4 phenological stage, when the pods were fully developed, soybean plants were harvested for anatomical leaf tissue analysis and P, Ca, Mg, and Si accumulation. After harvest, the soil was analyzed. Application of SA rates reduced potential acidity (H + Al) and exchangeable acidity (Al3+) and increased soil pH, sum of bases (SB), cation-exchange capacity (CEC), and base saturation (BS), in addition to promoting the nutrient’s availability and Si. Stomatal density was higher on the adaxial face of plants cultivated in the medium-textured soil. Silicate agrominerals can be used as a soil acidity corrector and remineralizer, improving the root environment and increasing the availability of nutrients and silicon
Mental Health Matters: Youth in Alternative School
Full text linkMental health significantly impacts students’ success at Portola-Butler Continuation High School (PBSHS) in the South Monterey Joint High School Union. Students aged 14-17 at PBSHS face mental health challenges due to insufficient resources, a lack of mental health awareness, and limited parental support. The capstone project included a presentation on mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Following this presentation, a post-survey was conducted with 20 students regarding their mental well-being and how PBSHS can assist them. Responses indicated that going to school causes feelings of anxiety and depression, with 19% feeling this way often, 50% rarely, and 31% sometimes. Additionally, students were asked how many days in the past week they had considered skipping school due to anxiety or depression; 12% reported 1-2 days, while another 12% indicated 3-4 days. An open-ended question about how PBSHS could help revealed that 17% of students suggested taking walks, and 50% of students responded by talking to teachers, while another 14% expressed a desire for more clubs and mental health days. The project successfully achieved its goal of raising mental health awareness and teaching coping skills. Next steps include implementing mental health workshops, establishing student clubs, and fostering relationships with students. These initiatives are crucial to enhancing students\u27 mental well-being an
Restorative Justice Conflict Resolution Video
Full text linkMonterey County juvenile felony and misdemeanor rates are above the state of California’s average. Restorative Justice Partners (RJP) is a nonprofit organization located in Marina that works with those affected by crime and offenders to make things as right as possible. Restorative Justice in the Schools is a program that provides students, teachers, classified staff, and families with training on restorative justice and how these practices can be implemented at school or home to create a safe, collaborative learning and living environment. Creating a video depicting a realistic student conflict with steps to perform a mediation allowed teachers and classified staff a visual example of the mediation process as part of a larger training developed by RJ in the Schools. The most significant findings were that 13 out of the 14 teachers surveyed who were presented with the material said they increased their confidence in approaching conflicts that arise, and that the video was clear and realistic. All 14 surveyed also said that the video was informative. It is recommended that RJP continue to produce videos demonstrating step-by-step approaches to successfully implementing other restorative justice practices, such as respect agreements and community-building circles, to increase teacher engagement
Rethinking Policies: Impact of School to Prison Pipeline
Full text linkThis senior capstone research project examines the school-to-prison pipeline (STPP), a system of policies and practices from schools that disproportionately push minority high school students into the criminal justice system. This study investigates how school policies, including zero-tolerance and truancy, disciplinary practices, the lack of resources, school funding disparities, and systemic racism, contribute to this STPP pipeline. Through a literature review and survey responses from school staff, the result findings revealed that there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the STPP among some educators and administrators, involving their role of biases and systemic issues. It is vital for educators and policymakers to recognize and dismantle their practices that perpetuate the STPP, but on the contrary start to advocate for equitable resource distribution, equipped with qualified professionals, and make a shift towards restorative practices to support targeted students
[2025 Honorable Mention] The White Savior Trope in a “Post-Racial” Era
Full text linkThis paper explores how the media\u27s promotion of the white savior trope, particularly following Obama\u27s election, contributed to a false perception among Caucasians that significant racial issues had been resolved, despite evidence to the contrary.https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/esa_submissions/1161/thumbnail.jp