University of Central Florida
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Episode 74: Ema Purmensky - Digital Media, Game Design, Creative Writing, German Language Certificate, CBYX program in Germany
No full textIn this episode, Ema Purmensky joins the podcast during her time in Cologne on the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program in Germany. Ema graduated from UCF in Spring 2025 with a major in digital media in the game design track and a minor in creative writing. Hear Ema share how she became interested in learning German language, and how this has led to some exciting learning opportunities. She describes her daily routine in Cologne, including language classes and excursions, as well as her plans to intern in the game design field in Germany. Ema offers advice for fellow language learners on building confidence and patience during their language learning journey.
In our conversation, Ema mentioned a game she designed with a team as part of her undergraduate studies in game design. If you are curious to learn more about the award-winning “Of a Feather” available on Unity Play, you can read an article about this international game jam by Ryan Fox (2023) and explore the link below: https://communication.ucf.edu/digital-media-students-win-awards-in-international-game-jam
Transdisciplinarity through a Functional Approach in the Content Areas: Commonalities for School Teachers
No full textIn 2020, the WIDA Consortium released a revised English language development standards framework that integrates a functional approach to language development, grounded in systemic functional linguistics, across core subjects: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Central to this framework are four Key Language Uses—Narrate, Inform, Explain, and Argue. While this holistic approach is promising, it poses challenges for elementary and middle-grade teachers and ESOL specialists, who often teach multiple subjects. To ensure all teachers can implement this approach effectively, the integration of functional language must be simplified for generalist instructors. This article explores how identifying linguistic commonalities across subject areas can support this effort. By analyzing the features of each Key Language Use within the four content areas, we offer recommendations for how generalist educators might employ functional language as a cohesive instructional strategy to better support multilingual learners in their classrooms
Giving Back Through Choreography and Dance Instruction
No full textBeing a long-time proponent of dance, musical theater, and directing, I’ve naturally been drawn to choreography. In the past, I’ve created dance numbers for multiple performances at my high school and dance studios. Recently, I’ve been able to volunteer as the lead choreographer of the musical Once Upon a Mattress at Inspired Theater Company. In this role, I created eight unique dance numbers of varying styles and difficulty and taught them to the cast of fifteen individuals, ranging from lower school to college-aged. This taught me the importance of good leadership qualities—such as communication and meeting the needs of others—even in dance instruction.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1019/thumbnail.jp
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fish Oil Supplements at Reducing the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation
No full textThe purpose of my project, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fish Oil Supplements at Reducing the Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation, was to analyze whether omega-3 fatty acids could lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence compared to a placebo. AF is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to serious complications such as stroke or heart failure. Through review and analysis of clinical trial data, patients who took fish oil experienced a lower recurrence rate of AF (46.8%) compared to the placebo group (73.4%), though the difference was not statistically significant. I also examined two supplemental studies that supported the safety and potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in postoperative patients. Key takeaways from this project include understanding how nutritional supplements can influence cardiovascular outcomes and the importance of proper study design, dosage variation, and statistical reporting in clinical research.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1001/thumbnail.jp
L\u27dor V\u27dor
No full textThis project details a service-learning experience at Central Florida Hillel. Serving the community involved on-the-ground leadership and meaningful engagement by supporting signature events like the communal Challah Bake and warm, weekly Shabbos Dinners. This work demonstrated that true service involves leaders directly engaged with volunteers, modeling dedication. The project significantly impacted Hillel’s social infrastructure and accessibility, ensuring a reliable, low-barrier, welcoming space for students seeking cultural connection and companionship. This consistent volunteer effort increased organizational capacity, allowing staff to focus core resources on student mentorship rather than basic logistics. Ultimately, the stability and consistency of these events reinforced the sense of belonging for students, directly aiding Hillel\u27s mission of passing traditions from generation to generation (L\u27dor V\u27dor). The experience provided a vital link to academic concepts like Servant Leadership and Organizational Communication. It proved that simple, clear messaging and visible commitment from staff and student executive board members are essential for successful volunteer retention and effective civic engagement.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1010/thumbnail.jp
Paws on Board: Transporting Dogs from Shelters to New Homes
No full textOur service learning project focused on supporting Puppy Rescue Flights, an organization that transports rescued puppies, dogs, and cats, and kittens from overcrowded or high risk shelters to rescue partners throughout Florida. The purpose of our project was to contribute to the organization’s mission by assisting with transport operations, promoting awareness, and helping strengthen the visibility of their work. As a group, we participated in flight trips, assisted with ground operations, helped prepare animals for transport, and documented the process to support outreach and education. Through these activities, we learned how much coordination, compassion, and teamwork are required to ensure each animal’s safety from beginning to end. One key lesson we gained was understanding how small actions such as loading kennels, comforting animals, or organizing supplies can create meaningful impact when combined with the efforts of many people. We also learned the value of strong community partnerships, especially through our work with pilot and ring master Mike Young, whose dedication showed us what service driven leadership looks like. Overall, this project taught us that meaningful change grows from consistent effort, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to helping others.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1031/thumbnail.jp
Funding Issues In Title-1 Schools
No full textThis project examined how funding is distributed and managed within Title I schools. The goal was to identify methods to make the system more equitable and effective. Three approaches were analyzed in detail. The first focused on increasing federal support. The second addressed the reallocation of existing funds. The third evaluated which level of government should hold responsibility for managing school funding. Each approach presented distinct advantages and challenges. The analysis revealed that no single solution can meet the needs of all schools. The project emphasized the complexity of educational funding systems and the importance of evidence-based evaluation. Through structured research and discussion, the study highlighted the value of collaboration and diverse perspectives in developing informed solutions to public education issues.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1039/thumbnail.jp
Saving the Arctic: Learning Through Animals and Art
No full textThe Arctic is one of the most fragile ecosystems on Earth, and protecting it is vital for our planet’s future. For our service‑learning project, we partnered with Ms. Snow and Wedgefield Elementary to engage her first‑grade classroom in learning about Arctic animals and their adaptations. We introduced a variety of species, highlighting unique adaptations, and reinforced this knowledge through a craft activity where students created walrus masks to take home. Beyond animal adaptations, we discussed habitat fragmentation and encouraged students to take action against environmental threats by planting trees, recycling, and staying informed. Our goal was to spark environmental awareness and help children understand the importance of protecting the Arctic ecosystem. This project aligned with our class theme of conservation and demonstrated how early engagement can inspire future stewardship. Witnessing the students’ excitement reminded us of the power of making science fun and accessible, while also shaping our own career aspirations.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2025fall/1042/thumbnail.jp
The Scoop, Vol. 12 Issue 9, December 2025
No full textLatest news and updates from the Health Sciences Library in our monthly newsletter for December 2025. Please see page 2 for a text-only version of this issue!https://stars.library.ucf.edu/scoop-vol12/1007/thumbnail.jp