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Leadership Through Service: My Volunteer Experience at the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
No full texthttps://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1046/thumbnail.jp
Florida Frontiers Radio Program #577
No full textSEGMENTS | Orange County Regional History Center | Splendid China | Tampa Public Librar
Episode 67: Dr. Aimee Schoonmaker - TESOL Lecturer
Get PDFIn this episode, we chat with Dr. Aimee Schoonmaker about her time with the Modern Languages and Literatures department - both as a student and as faculty. Learn more about her life stories moving from Brazil to the U.S., finding UCF, and some exciting opportunities she has had while working in this field. Hear her share her advice for students considering studying TESOL
Changing the World One Book at a Time
No full textMy service learning experience at Eight Waves was an eye opening opportunity to explore the leadership styles within non-profit organizations, the communication style within the organizations, and the youth in my area. As I began my journey volunteering each Wednesday, I learned so much about myself and the kind of person I would like to be. Sara Meyer, the founder of Eight Waves was able to give me some insight on the creation of the program. The operational manager Kelly Carr was able to teach me how to communicate with the kids in a way where you are both a mentor and a leader. Other more seasoned volunteers were able to communicate their opinions of the program with me. After hearing thoughts and opinions from all of these individuals, I began to formulate my presentation. Eight Waves is a blessing to the Winter Garden community. Every staff member oozes passion and each organization which sponsors Eight Waves is infected with joy. It was such an amazing experience.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025spring/1024/thumbnail.jp
Prevalence, Control, and Treatment rates of Hypertension Across the Globe
No full textHypertension is one of the leading risk factors for death and cardiovascular disease in the world. It is a condition where the pressure inside a person’s blood vessels exceeds the normal range of 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure often occurs due to plaque buildup in the arteries, a physiological need for the heart to pump blood faster, or pathological conditions that influence the cardiovascular system. Moreover, the increase in hypertension rates worldwide can be attributed to a transition towards sedentary lifestyles, high salt diets, and infrastructures/work environments that leave little room for physical activity. This presentation (with a focus on primary hypertension) aims to define hypertension, explain how blood pressure is measured, and explore the findings of two systematic reviews that analyzed the global trends of hypertension. Through this project, I learned how to complete a research project that relates to the social change model, and I gained experience with presenting research in professional settings.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025spring/1046/thumbnail.jp
How Different Questioning Methods Allow for More Productive Discussions in and out of the Classroom
Get PDFThis presentation explores the impact of different questioning methods in promoting more productive discussions both inside and outside the classroom. As an undergraduate learning assistant in CHM2046, I reflect on how open-ended and close-ended questions can shape student interactions. Open-ended questions encourage diverse responses and allow for deeper discussions, while close-ended questions direct conversations towards specific answers.
This approach of varying question types based on the student’s needs helped students feel more confident and engaged. This encouraged one-on-one interactions, improving students\u27 understanding and participation. This experience also helped build my own communication skills, influencing my approach in various situations beyond the classroom.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025spring/1054/thumbnail.jp
Our Fight Against Hunger
No full textThis culture audit, conducted as part of the LEAD Scholars Program at the University of Central Florida, focused on volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank, a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating hunger in Central Florida. As a group, we volunteered there on the weekends, doing activities such as sorting and repackaging food donations. These tasks supported the organization\u27s mission of distributing food to over 870 feeding partners in seven counties. Through this hands-on service, we learned the critical role of community involvement and teamwork in addressing food insecurity. We also gained insights into the leadership styles employed at Second Harvest Food Bank. One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience was understanding the power of collective action and how each small effort contributes to a larger goal of creating a hunger-free community. This experience allowed us to not only contribute to the fight against hunger but also deepened our understanding of the vital work nonprofit organizations do and the leadership principles that drive their success.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025spring/1004/thumbnail.jp
Bringing Military History to Life
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to be able to learn about public history in a military history setting. The two key activities that I did were; creating an exhibit for a fellow Navy Veteran, and helping with an Oral History event at the museum where we heard from two World War II veterans. The exhibit was especially important to me as it helped me to tell the story of a fellow Navy Veteran. It was also a helpful experience for me to be able to create all of the advertising for the oral history event. These projects helped me to refine my public history skills and helped me learn about the accessioning and curation processes that local museums go through.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025spring/1018/thumbnail.jp
The Impact of Caffeine on Neurotransmitter Production by Lactobacillus Spp.
Get PDFCaffeine, a prevalent stimulant, has inconclusive effects on the gut-brain axis. Key probiotics such as Lactobacillus play a chief role in gut health and neurotransmitter production. These bacteria are able to effectively influence brain function and overall health. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of caffeine on Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus reuteri to determine antagonistic or synergistic effects on the bacteria’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production and synthesis of serotonin-related metabolites.
The methodology for this work begins with treating bacterial cultures with varying concentrations of caffeine and then incubating at 37ºC for 48 hours. Supernatants are then retrieved for analysis of neurotransmitter levels using spectrometry and/or immunosorbant assays. Bacterial growth is assessed by measuring optical density and by calculating colony-forming units (CFUs).
Higher caffeine concentrations inhibiting bacterial growth and reducing neurotransmitter production is expected. This could lead to alterations of communication within the gut-brain axis. This research is significant in understanding the broader implications of caffeine consumption on gut health. Especially in a society where caffeine consumption is so widely prevalent, understanding physiological implications could guide individuals to consume caffeine in a way that maximizes its benefits on the gut microbiome and overall health. One key thing I hope to learn is the physiological affects caffeine has on the body other than as its known role as a stimulant.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025spring/1040/thumbnail.jp
Human Activity Shown Through Stratigraphic Evidence at the Penny Site (8BR158), Cape Canaveral, Florida.
No full textThis research is part of the Cape Canaveral Archaeological Mitigation Project (CCAMP) whose mission is to record the archaeology and history of the Cape before sites are damaged by construction or affected by climate change will provide an analysis of the stratigraphy present at the Penny archaeological site (8BR158). Located on the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), the Penny Site offers a robust sample of artifacts ranging from the paleoindian to the late 1800’s. To properly reveal and understand the context and importance of the Penny site, a total of eleven test units (2x2m) were excavated throughout the area, labeled alphabetically A through K. This project builds on previous research and information gathered from previous seasons to assist in our examination of the site stratigraphy. The Penny site\u27s stratigraphy provides us with the opportunity to analyze the sediment chronologically which can not only produce a relative date to the sediment itself, but also the artifacts, and features found within, contributing to the interpretation of the site as a whole. The purpose of our investigation is to digitize and analyze the stratigraphy at the site, allowing for the identification of the levels in which intense human activity is most prominent.
You can view the video presentation at CCAMP Final Research Virtual Presentation.mp4https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025spring/1002/thumbnail.jp