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From Everyday Thinking to Systems Thinking: An Asset-Based Introduction to Dynamical Systems Theory in Middle School Science
No full textDespite its broad relevance to science and society, dynamical systems theory (DST), which mathematically models patterns of change in system behavior, is largely absent from K–12 science education. This study introduces the Patterns Game, a model-based approach that enables middle school students to engage with DST without relying on advanced mathematics. Using a design-based research methodology, we investigated the outcomes and processes of 8th grade students’ engagement with the Patterns Game. Quantitative analysis of student work assessed the development of models of threshold and equilibration patterns. Qualitative analysis of classroom discourse explored how the game leveraged students’ everyday thinking and lived experiences to support model construction. Students showed statistically significant improvements in their models. Qualitative findings revealed that reflecting on familiar examples helped students articulate, examine, and refine their intuitive reasoning, leading to more precise models. Together, these results demonstrate how the Patterns Game draws on students’ existing resources to support meaningful engagement with DST. While prior research has lowered barriers to systems thinking, this study is among the first to introduce DST to younger learners. It advances equity-oriented science education by broadening what counts as modeling and by centering students’ everyday thinking and lived experiences as valuable resources for engaging with dynamic systems
Experiments to Enhance Post-Fire Aspen Seedling Survival and Growth
No full textAspen forests provide wildlife, watershed, and aesthetic value, and the potential for reduced fire occurrence, behavior, and severity. There is interest in planting aspen to achieve various management objectives. However, few studies have investigated the optimal conditions for aspen seedlings in the western US. We conducted two experiments to address this knowledge gap. First, we tested the effects of shading structures (i.e., logs) and biochar on the survival and growth of 960 outplanted aspen seedlings in three exclosures in a recent fire footprint. Second, we tested whether experimentally placing logs near 120 naturally-occurring post-fire aspen seedlings affected survival or growth. Survival of outplanted seedlings was high (66%) despite hot and dry conditions in the years of the study. Logs and biochar had minimal effects on planted seedling survival and growth, but in one exclosure, survival of planted seedlings was lower in log and log+biochar treatments, likely due to the protection logs provided to small mammalian herbivores. Survival was higher for naturally-occurring seedlings with logs placed on the south side compared to control seedlings in one site, and growth was higher for naturally-occurring seedlings with a nearby log, but not significantly so. In sites where aspen seedling survival and growth are relatively robust, management actions to modify the microsite may not be necessary
Examining the Role of Early Bilingualism on Interference Suppression and Prefrontal Connectivity
No full textInhibitory control is a core cognitive function that is primarily associated with activation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and is the cognitive function that inhibits impulses, thoughts, and suppresses irrelevant information to an identified goal or task. Prior research suggests that bilingualism may affect brain activity related to inhibitory control, yet few studies have compared functional activity between monolingual and bilingual children. The current study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine region of interest comparisons and task-state functional connectivity across the PFC during an interference suppression Simon task with 13 bilingual (East Asian or Ibero-romance paired with English) and 13 age-matched English monolingual preschoolers. Results showed no significant differences in behavioral measures of interference suppression. However, bilingual preschoolers showed lower oxygenated hemoglobin activation and more localized patterns of connectivity within the PFC, suggesting more efficient processing during suppression compared to their monolingual peers. This may reflect the bilingual experience of regularly suppressing their second language when not in use, thus facilitating neural efficiency. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on bilingual cognitive development suggesting that functional connectivity during executive function may differ in bilingual children, even at a young age, despite no observable behavioral differences. This highlights the importance of integrating neuroimaging with behavioral data to gain a more comprehensive understanding of bilingual cognitive development
Bundled for the Beyond: Material Analysis of a Canine Mummy Bundle for Contextualizing and Conserving Legacy Objects
No full textLegacy collections1 and objects with little context are often untapped opportunities for both museums and museum studies students. The purpose of this study is to display how students can utilize object research to engage in experiential learning and develop their skillset in scientific methodologies and disseminating findings, while also offering museums the opportunity to develop relationships with research facilities and benefit from student research findings. This study demonstrates the utility of student research by investigating an Egyptian canid mummy bundle, dating to the Late Period2 or early Ptolemaic Period3, received by the Museum of Anthropology at Utah State University in 2018 with limited provenance4 or confirmation of its authenticity. The goal of this case study is to better understand the materials, methods, and cultural significance of zooarchaeological mummification and to situate this artifact within a broader historical and religious framework. Objectives are fourfold: (1) to identify the contents of the mummy bundle, (2) to date the mummy bundle and establish chronological context, (3) to identify the textiles and construction methods used in the mummification process, and (4) to contextualize canid mummification within ancient Egyptian religious and societal practices. To achieve these goals, we must utilize a multi-method approach that includes micro-CT scanning to identify the bundle contents and state of preservation, and radiocarbon dating for three distinct layers of the textile from the bundle. We must also conduct scanning electron microscopy to analyze the microstructure of the textiles and mass spectrometry5 to identify organic compounds applied to the textile. The information we can gather from these analyses offers valuable insights into Egyptian funerary and mortuary traditions6 and the role of animals in religious contexts
Using a Token Economy in a First-Grade Classroom to Increase On-Task Behavior
No full textToken economies are an adaptable intervention used effectively in many settings to improve behavior, including schools. When used in schools, students are often given a board or chart on which to collect tokens (i.e., small items or marks) for desired behavior(s). Tokens are then exchanged for students’ preferred rewards. This chapter presents a case study of token economies implemented with five students who were unresponsive to class-wide (Tier 1) strategies in a general education first-grade classroom. The intervention was designed and implemented by a paraeducator who worked collaboratively with the classroom teacher to select students, develop intervention procedures, collect and review data, and modify the intervention as needed. The paraeducator identified lack of control of the classroom, use of multiple behavior management systems simultaneously, and interruptions that prevented accurate data collection as barriers to implementation. She identified her relationship with the classroom teacher, similarity of token economies to previously used behavior management strategies, and the adaptability of token economies as facilitators of implementation. Recommendations include ensuring evidence-based Tier 1 supports are in place, developing collaborative relationships with other school personnel, considering contextual fit, regular progress monitoring, modifying the token economy in response to data, and providing frequent access to reinforcers
Climate Prediction as an Adaptive Force-Multiplier: Reasons for Hope in a Rapidly Changing World
Get PDFIt\u27s not unreasonable to feel pessimistic about our future under climate change. But believing the science doesn\u27t require you to accept that we are headed toward apocalypse. It is true that human-caused climate change is real, it is underway, and our societies face many increased risks because of it. But that\u27s just part of what climate science tells us about our future world. This same field is responsible for the recent and rapid development of tools and techniques that permit the identification of patterns in our oceans and atmosphere that will aid us in making increasingly accurate predictions about climate—the long-term patterns of weather that set the limits for all species to survive and potentially thrive on our planet.
In this work, we discuss how climate science can be used to offer farmers a window into the meteorological conditions that affect harvests; as an example, we will use a connection between sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and eventual wheat yields in Kansas. Next, we\u27ll explore whether snowpacks in the Upper Colorado River Basin, one of the most important sources of water for agriculture and cities in the American West, can be predicted in extreme cases. Then, we will explore ways to use historical records and emerging technologies to model difficult-to-predict phenomena, like the rising and falling of the Great Salt Lake. Finally, we will discuss a model of journalistic storytelling that can help make the complexities of climate more accessible—and thus potentially less frightening—for anyone with an open and curious mind
The Role of Environmental & Climate Issues in Utahns\u27 Migration Decisions Along the Rural-Urban Continuum
Get PDFHuman relocation from one place to another is not new.1 People move within or beyond borders for short or long periods, either temporarily or permanently, and they factor multiple internal and external issues into their migration decisions. Along with economic, political, social, and demographic drivers, 2,3 people may choose to migrate because of deterioration in their living and working environments
Sewing With Fur
Get PDFToday, trapping is one of the most regulated activities worldwide and is a useful tool in managing excess populations of furbearers and struggling populations of prey animals. Fur is slowly regaining popularity as people recognize it as more ethical, humane, economical, and renewable, but the ability to use fur is becoming a lost art. It is part of our heritage as a people and connects us with the land. Learning to sew fur projects can be fun and, in some cases, quite profitable, as fur sewn into an article will sell far above the price of the pelt itself. If you normally sell fur but are discouraged by low fur prices, consider making something out of your catch
Influence of Physical Properties of Fat on Product Quality, Shelf-Life and Consumer Acceptance of Chocolate-Coated Products
Get PDFIn chocolate-coated products, oil migration in fats can lead to chocolate softening, filling hardening, discoloration, and lower consumer acceptance. This study examined three different fats (soy- palm-, and palm-kernel (PK) based), crystallized under different conditions (cooling rate and use of high intensity ultrasound (HIU)) to examine how the crystallization conditions impact the physical properties of confectionery products. These conditions produced fats with high and low oil binding capacities (OBCs); the ability of crystal networks to entrap liquid oil. Model systems were created to examine measurable quality degradation and consumer acceptance of chocolates placed in contact with the fats; one with fat alone while the second mixed the fat into sugar or nut flour. At 48 hours, 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks, measurements of quality of the fillings and the chocolates were taken (including melting behavior, liquid/solid rheological behavior, texture, color, and crystal structure. After 12 weeks, a consumer acceptance panel ranked their chocolate liking based on overall acceptance, appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, and mouthfeel.
The most significant differences were seen with the chocolate color, hardness, and melting behavior. Control chocolates typically increased in whiteness, had consistent hardness, and increased in the amount of melting energy. Sample chocolates, especially those with low OBC fats, frequently significantly decreased in whiteness, primarily due to significant increases in yellowness. All chocolate samples softened significantly over time, as solid crystal material dissolved as seen with a lower melting energy and less defined crystal structures in x-ray diffraction analysis. The high OBC PK (75% fully hydrogenated PK, fast cooled, without HIU) performed the best in the measurements as it contained the most solid material, softened the least, and had the latest decrease in the required energy to melt the chocolate. However, the high OBC palm (100% palm-based oil, fast cooled, with HIU) performed the best in the consumer acceptance panel, showing no significant differences from the control in four of the six parameters. In conclusion, the condition with a high OBC and the least quality degradation during the measurements was not liked the most by consumers. This highlights the importance of understanding all aspects of shelf-life
Weed Incursion of Irrigated Forage–Forb Mixtures Under Mob Grazing or Mowing in the Mountain West USA
No full textImproving the quality of irrigated pastures can increase the profitability of ruminant production systems. Increasing pasture plant biodiversity is beneficial for ruminants, pollinators, and soil health, but it is challenging to manage weed incursion in seeded mixed-species pastures. This study assessed the weed incursion that resulted when forage legumes or grasses were seeded as binary mixtures with one of four non-legume forbs. Defoliation occurred at 6-week intervals as either mowing or mob grazing. Forbs were chicory, plantain, Lewis flax, or small burnet and forages were alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, creeping foxtail, intermediate wheatgrass, kura clover, meadow bromegrass, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, reed canarygrass, sainfoin, smooth bromegrass, tall fescue, and white clover. Four defoliations per year occurred between May and September for two years. Eight replications were grouped into four blocks and each pair in a block was randomly assigned to the two defoliation treatments, mob grazing or mowing. Plots were 1.5 m2 and were assessed visually before each defoliation for the percentage of forage, forb, and weed. Chicory was the most dominant of the four forbs, and relative to legumes, most grasses suppressed both forb establishment and weed incursion under both grazing and mowing. There were no statistically significant effects of defoliation treatment on weed incursion