University of Central Florida
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Designing Immersive Educational Experiences: An Exploration of Animal Attractions and Exhibits to Create a National Park Themed Experience
No full textThis thesis analyzes the disconnect between immersive environmental storytelling and conservation education at animal attractions. How can designers create immersive educational experiences that engage audiences? Can environmental narrative practices be applied in a new way to develop effective conservation and wildlife education? A literature review assists in defining immersion, discovering the evolution of Modern Zoo design as an immersive experience, and evaluating conversation education in animal facilities. When combined with educational techniques, immersive habitat design improves guest engagement and informal conservation learning outcomes in zoos and animal-related experiences. Using Scott Lukas’ theming and immersion modes, three attractions are analyzed as case studies. Research conducted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Seaworld Orlando, and Lion Country Safari indicates that the most successful case study experience is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris. From this, with assistance from established literature, a new walk-through animal experience concept will be the outcome. This study is essential to continue to bridge the gap between entertainment and education, promote conservation actions, and inform future design practices by starting with AZA guidelines and expanding outward creatively
Autonomous Navigation and Real-Time 3D Reconstruction of Interior Spaces Using a Quadruped Robot
No full textThis thesis develops and evaluates a ROS2-based application that enables the quadruped robot Unitree Go2 to simultaneously perform autonomous navigation, real-time mapping, and 3D reconstruction in indoor environments using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). The robot system, equipped with onboard sensors, aims to generate high-resolution point clouds that provide detailed 3D scans. The assessment focuses on the platform’s practical feasibility, operational reliability, and accuracy. The hardware setup combines the Unitree Go2 robot with its built-in sensors, a high-resolution 3D LiDAR, and an RGB-D camera. Software components include ROS2, the Unitree SDK, a navigation framework, and SLAM approaches. The application was developed using ROS-compatible open-source repositories for the sensors and SLAM algorithms, as well as Unitree’s components and my customizations. Tests were conducted primarily in a university hallway and evaluated the quality of 3D reconstruction, computational load, wireless control capabilities, and navigation performance. The results show that the system generates dense, accurate 3D point clouds in real time, although mapping and reconstruction inaccuracies increase with longer or complex scans. Autonomous navigation based on 2D SLAM maps proved effective in simple environments but was sensitive to sensor quality. Running 2D and 3D SLAM simultaneously with live visualization requires high computational effort, risking degraded output without powerful external processing. Wireless operation is possible over short-range, high-bandwidth networks, but is limited under unstable conditions. The use of open source frameworks such as ROS2 and established SLAM algorithms facilitates application development but requires precise adaptation to the robot and the sensors used. The developed system demonstrates practical potential for real-world tasks such as indoor exploration and reconnaissance. Future work should focus on implementing multi-sensor fusion SLAM, enhancing wireless communication, and integrating advanced navigation strategies. Combining multiple mobile robots could further enhance comprehensive mapping across diverse environments
An Exploration of Preservice Teachers\u27 Perspectives on Elementary Writing Instruction
No full textWriting instruction is frequently overshadowed by a greater emphasis on reading and mathematics in elementary education, resulting in preservice teachers (PSTs) often feeling underprepared and lacking confidence to teach writing effectively. This undergraduate thesis explores the perspectives of junior and senior elementary education majors at the University of Central Florida enrolled in the course Teaching Language Arts for the Elementary Classroom (LAE 4314). Using an anonymous online survey, this study investigated 38 PSTs as writers themselves, their beliefs about writing instruction, their preparedness to teach writing, and the impact of the methods course on their readiness to teach writing. Results indicate that while PSTs (70%) generally value writing as a means for student self-expression and meaning making, many (75%) still view themselves as underprepared to teach writing and tend to focus on writing mechanics. Moreover, 82% do not plan to allocate the recommended daily writing time in their future classrooms. Notably, most participants found LAE 4314 helpful and expressed that an additional, targeted writing methods course and/or more field experiences would further strengthen their confidence and instructional writing skills. These findings suggest the need for teacher preparation programs to incorporate more hands-on and specialized training to better prepare PSTs for writing instruction
The Effects Of School-Based Menstruation Education Programs On Anxiety And Self-Efficacy In Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review
No full textA significant global knowledge gap exists for adolescent girls regarding what constitutes a healthy menstrual cycle, proper menstrual hygiene practices, and the implications of reproductive maturity that is ushered in by menarche. This limited understanding can lead to poor health outcomes and the development of negative sentiments and beliefs surrounding the normal experience of menstruation.
This systematic review aims to comprehensively investigate the current state of research regarding the effects of school-based, formal menstruation education programs on adolescent girls, particularly the effects on anxiety and self-efficacy related to the management of menstruation. Furthermore, this work aims to take a stance on the usefulness of the school in delivering this education and apply it to the broader context of public health promotion.
A multi-database, systematic literature review was conducted to fulfill the purposes of this current project, utilizing CINAHL Ultimate and MEDLINE databases.
Findings show that formal, school-based menstruation education programs are effective in promoting positive outcomes in adolescent girls approaching menarche and currently undergoing menstruation, including increased self-efficacy and reduced anxiety. The research also suggests that the school is a valuable, centralized vector for the delivery of this education. Nurses play a pivotal role in advocating for the advancement of these initiatives
Consequences of Artificial Intelligence in Health Insurance: Lawsuits, Policy, and Ethics
No full textIn recent years, the healthcare system has been burdened by a multitude of obstacles that hinder the ability to provide effective, affordable, and timely care. Among these, one of the most significant challenges is the role that health insurance plays in shaping the quality of care. Health insurance companies are designed to decrease financial strain on patients, but they have introduced inefficiencies through delayed coverage approvals, increased denials, and administrative costs. Artificial intelligence (AI) has started to play an integral role in resolving these issues for the health insurance industry. Through its quick automated claim processing, fraud screening, and reduced cost, there are potential improvements in efficiency and patient satisfaction. However, the implementation of AI in health insurance raises some concerns. This literature review examines the ways AI has been used in health insurance practices, as well as the past and prospective repercussions of doing so. AI in health insurance has been the root cause of class action lawsuits due to technological error, placing a devastating financial burden on patients. AI additionally raises ethical concerns on its potential for violating privacy and committing demographic bias. Fortunately, state laws have been implemented to restrict AI’s potential to cause damage. If health insurance companies display untrustworthiness, placing AI into the wrong hands will only increase these consequences. It is important to regulate health insurance use of AI and understand the possible harm. In doing so, potential threats to healthcare will be eliminated. Hopefully, AI can one day reap its full potential in positively impacting the health insurance and healthcare industries
The Scoop, Vol. 12 Issue 6, September 2025
No full textLatest news and updates from the Health Sciences Library in our monthly newsletter for September 2025. Please see page 2 for a text-only version of this issue!https://stars.library.ucf.edu/scoop-vol12/1004/thumbnail.jp
From Microns to Mons: Investigating Airless Body Surface Properties and Processes
No full textUnderstanding how airless bodies have evolved in the space environment is essential for interpreting remote sensing data and constraining the weathering processes that alter airless body surfaces over time. This dissertation utilizes coordinated experimental, observational, and analytical techniques to investigate airless body surface properties and processes. Our first study seeks to characterize mechanical breakdown of the lunar regolith caused by ice-regolith interactions within the lunar polar regolith environment. The second and third studies investigate the effects of simulated micrometeorite bombardment via a novel dual pulsed laser experimental setup on iron-poor, carbon-rich Mercury and carbonaceous asteroid analogs. We analyze the spectral, chemical, and microstructural properties of these analogs in an aim to understand 1) the space weathering products that might be generated on highly reduced planetary surfaces and 2) how these space weathering products impact spectral features. The final study outlines efforts to perform ground-based, mid-infrared telescopic observations of the Moon so that we might elucidate compositional anomalies across under-explored wavelengths. We present a new open- source data reduction pipeline for hyperspectral grism observations and a first-look at multispectral filter imaging observations of the lunar surface. From kilometer-scale remote sensing observations to nanometer-scale elemental analyses, this dissertation aims to prove that a coordinated analytical approach is essential to understanding the composition, geological history, and formation of airless bodies from Mercury to the asteroid belt
Breaking the Karen Curse: A Look at Anti-Mistreatment Signage\u27s Impact on Customer Mistreatment through Customer Empathy and Entitlement
No full textThis dissertation explores the phenomenon of customers mistreating service workers and examines how physical signage about customer behavior can influence the likelihood of such mistreatment occurring in a work environment. The impact of signage was studied broadly at an individual level in Study 1 by comparing the mistreatment service workers experience in workplaces with and without anti-mistreatment signage, and in more depth at an event level from the point of view of the customer in Study 2 using an experimental video vignette design. Results from the two studies indicate that anti-mistreatment signage can significantly reduce the likelihood of customer mistreatment when the sign\u27s message is prevention-oriented. However, when signage is used outside experimental conditions, several factors—such as whether customers read the signage—may limit its effectiveness. Further, while the proposed mechanism through which signage influences customer mistreatment was not supported, higher customer state empathy and lower customer entitlement significantly reduced intentions to engage in mistreatment after customers became angered by poor service quality, highlighting the potential utility of targeting empathy and entitlement in future interventions. This dissertation contributes to the mistreatment literature by highlighting the importance of contextual elements—namely signage—in shaping customer behavior in service settings and calls for more research into mistreatment from the perpetrator\u27s perspective. The findings also have implications for the empathy literature, calling into question the well-established effectiveness of perspective-taking interventions when they are adapted to a shorter, signage format
It\u27s Been Here All Along: Increasing Discomfort in Immersive Horror Puzzle Experiences Without Jump Scares
No full textThis thesis seeks to utilize horror themes in a puzzle-based themed experience without the usage of jump scares. By alerting the body’s startle response once a puzzle is completed with a sudden loud noise or visuals, many horror-themed escape rooms utilize the jump scare tactic to heighten their guests’ adrenaline. While this technique is often effective in eliciting a reaction from participants, the effects are temporary– and sometimes hinder participants’ desire to fully interact with the environment. By primarily using the experience’s narrative and environment to illicit a fear response in guests, as opposed to using the consequences of their actions, the participants will have a higher sense of freedom and enjoyment. Evidence is presented on popular interest in horror, modern media, and experiences that create compelling and fear-inducing responses without utilizing jump scares. This paper also carefully examines multiple models of puzzle-based experiences, including escape rooms; it also evaluates how the industry has evolved to solve its shortcomings, such as a lack of replay value and low hourly capacities. Utilizing these two sets of information, this thesis presents a design for a replayable jump scare-free puzzle experience that will give higher capacities of guests chills again and again
Thriving Through Turbulence: Exploring Team Resilience Through an Adversity-Centered Lens
No full textAlthough adversity has been a central component of team resilience definitions (Fisher et al., 2022; Raetze et al., 2022), there is little known about how different characteristics of adversity influence team functioning. Drawing from Event System Theory (Morgeson et al., 2015), the dissertation examined the connections between adverse event characteristics (i.e., event novelty, criticality, disruption, duration), team processes (i.e., planning, collective sensemaking, strategy formulation, coordination, monitoring and backup behaviors), and team outcomes (i.e., team performance) in the context of a repeated measures research study. The results indicated that novelty and criticality of adverse events were significantly and positively related to the extent to which the event was disruptive to the team. There was no evidence found for the moderating role of planning on these relationships. Disruption was significantly and positively related to collective sensemaking, strategy formulation, coordination, and monitoring and backup behaviors. Event duration partially moderated the relationships between disruption and transition phase processes (i.e., collective sensemaking, strategy formulation). There was no support found for the interaction effect of disruption and duration on the relationships involving action phase processes (i.e., coordination, monitoring and backup behaviors). In terms of the connections between team processes and team performance, collective sensemaking was significantly and positively associated with team performance. This dissertation advances teams research by highlighting the critical role of adversity and its characteristics in the emergence of team resilience, offering practical recommendations to better equip teams to navigate through challenges