35967 research outputs found
Sort by
Reorienting an Environmental Science Curriculum with Indigenous Science Education
No full textIn this project of curriculum action research, I used a three-part framework and seven tenets of Indigenous Knowledge to analyze a curriculum unit that I designed and implemented with students in two environmental studies class in a large suburban high school. I collected examples of my instruction, samples of student work and data from a 20-item questionnaire of my own design. My findings were that students are interested in this topic, and my recommendations were to include more Indigenous science and knowledge not only to make a more accurate learning of history and science but to improve the way people treat the Earth
Learning on a Warming Planet: How Curriculum Can Alleviate Eco-Anxiety and Inspire Hope
No full textThis study investigates how geoscience curriculum design influences students’ experiences of eco-anxiety and climate hope. The purpose was to examine whether traditional instruction heightens eco-anxiety among community college students and whether a hope-centered curriculum fosters emotional resilience, agency, and sustainability-oriented behaviors. Students enrolled in Geology of the National Parks at a community college in northern Illinois completed pre- and post-instruction surveys that included validated measures of eco-anxiety, constructive hope, personal efficacy, and climate perceptions, along with a new Park Awareness and Behavior scale. Using a quasi-experimental design, responses were compared between a traditional control curriculum and a hope-centered curriculum that integrated positive climate narratives, the National Park Service Climate Change Response Strategy, and a solutions-focused capstone project. Results indicated that ecological worry remained high while negative consequences of eco-anxiety (psychological distress) were consistently low across both groups. Students in the hope-centered curriculum reported greater gains in emotional hope, constructive hope, personal efficacy, and awareness of climate challenges and solutions in the National Parks. These findings suggest that framing climate content around constructive hope and solution-oriented pedagogy can enhance engagement and agency without diminishing concern about the climate crisis. The study recommends that geoscience educators integrate emotionally responsive strategies, such as success stories and solution-focused projects, to balance concern with agency, support student well-being, and promote sustainability-oriented action
Detecting Extrasolar Planets With Photometry Using AstroImageJ
No full textColor poster with text, images, charts, and graphs.This study aims to investigate the presence of exosolar planets by utilizing multi-aperture photometry to detect subtle changes in star brightness. This method to detect exosolar planets is currently one of the most successful ways to do this. Existing methods of exoplanet detection, such as radial velocity and direct imaging, have some limitations that the transit method we will be using can address. Direct imaging methods do not work well for planets close to their stars, and radial velocity methods do not allow for a determination of the planetary radius. In our research, we will use AstroImageJ to perform photometry on star systems, monitoring their light curves for periodic dimming indicating an orbiting planet. Our findings will suggest whether or not we can successfully perform photometry with the system we will be using.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL BEHAVIORS OF THERMALLY REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE ON FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATES
No full textA comprehensive investigation was conducted on the synthesis and characterization of thermally reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on flexible substrates for applications in electronics and sensors. The goal was to develop an environmentally friendly and accessible method for producing conductive rGO films using simple surface treatments, drop casting, and relatively mild-temperature thermal reduction to avoid reducing GO through hazardous chemical reductants and extreme processing conditions.Two primary focuses guided the study: (1) evaluating the fabricated conductive rGO on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a highly flexible and biocompatible substrate commonly used in wearable electronics, and (2) examining the effects of key synthesis parameters on the mechanical and electrical performance of rGO films across multiple flexible substrates. The parameters studied included oxygen plasma treatment, (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) submersion, GO suspension sonication time, and its drop-cast area density. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed successful thermal reduction through an increased carbon-over-oxygen ratio and reduced oxygen content. Four-point probe measurements verified the electrical conductivity of the resulting rGO films, ranging from 226.76 S/cm to 1197.49 S/cm on PDMS. Among all tested substrates, Kapton exhibited the highest bond strength (175.10 N/cm²) and electrical conductivity (6,105.65 S/m) under optimized conditions, which included 50-watt oxygen plasma for 5 minutes, 2% APTES submersion for 100 minutes, and deposition of a 2-minute sonicated GO suspension at an area density of 0.18 mg/cm². Parametric tables were developed to summarize the mechanical and electrical performance across substrates and processes, offering a practical reference for future fabrication efforts. The findings demonstrate the potential of solution-processed manufactured, and relatively mild-temperature thermal produced rGO as a promising material platform for flexible, wearable, and stretchable electronic and semiconductor devices, and healthcare-related applications.2026-12-2
Victim-Blaming & Sexual Aggression Myths: Assessing the Impact on Bystander Behavior Among College Students
No full textBackground: Sexual violence is a significant issue in the United States, particularly on college campuses, where the rates remain alarmingly high. Despite extensive research conducted in this area, sexual violence continues to be a persistent problem. One major challenge in addressing this issue might be the reliance on outdated tools and concepts that no longer accurately reflect the current social climate. This challenge not only pertain to the prevalence of sexual violence but also affect the experiences and safety of survivors. This situation raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current bystander training programs on college campuses. Three theoretical frameworks are utilized—bystander theory, sexual aggression myths, and real rape—to thoroughly examine bystander training and its impact on sexual aggression myths, victim blaming, and bystander behaviors.Methods: This dissertation effectively addresses significant gaps in the existing literature and comprises three impactful manuscripts (Chapters Two, Three, and Four). The first manuscript delivered a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published from 2015 to 2024, examining the effects of bystander training on negative perceptions (i.e., rape myths, sexism) and prosocial behavior (i.e., bystander efficacy, intentions to help) using five electronic databases. The second study employed original survey data collected from 2,884 participants across four universities within the Universities of Wisconsin. The study randomly assigned participants to one of eight conditions, where they read a sexual assault scenario that was manipulated based on the condition to assess victim-blaming and its relationship to bystander behavior. The third study also utilized the original survey data to introduce a revised version of sexual aggression myths, denoting the Gender-Inclusive Acceptance of Modern Myths on Sexual Aggression (GIAMMSA). This manuscript rigorously explored the differences between the GIAMMSA and the Gender-Inclusive Rape Myths Scale (GIIRMAS) and how the myths might impact prosocial bystander behavior. Results: The first study highlighted a significant lack of research. Only eleven articles examined the impact of bystander training on one of four variables: rape myths, sexism, bystander efficacy, and intentions to help, using randomized control trials. None of the articles utilized the new sexual aggression myths construct, and only six addressed rape myth acceptance. Additionally, none of the studies included non-binary populations, and only four provided information about cisgender relationships. This initial study uncovered substantial gaps in the existing research, which the following two studies aimed to address. The second study revealed differences in victim-blaming based on vignette variation on the sex of both the survivor and the perpetrator. Specifically, when the survivor was male, survivors received significantly more blame for the assault. Self-blame was lower when the survivor was female, and the perpetrator was male. Victim-blame was significantly higher when the sexual assault was “stopped” as opposed to when it was “completed.” Additionally, survivors of sexual assault reported higher levels of self-blame, which was associated with worse mental health. Concerningly, higher levels of victim-blame correlated with an increase in prosocial bystander behaviors and bystander training did not moderate the relationship between prosocial bystander behaviors and victim-blame. The third study demonstrated that the revised version of the sexual aggression myths scale, known as GIAMMSA, is a robust and reliable unidimensional construct, achieving an alpha coefficient of .89. The GIAMMSA yielded significantly higher scores compared to the GIIRMAS. Notably, the GIIRMAS model struggled to converge based on the five proposed factors, while principal factor analysis revealed weak loadings. Multiple regression analyses did not find a significant relationship between sexual aggression myths and prosocial bystander behavior; therefore, the relationship remains unclear. Implications: Current bystander trainings might not be doing enough to combat sexual violence and unknowingly be increasing victim-blaming, and individuals who did not take the training had higher prosocial bystander behaviors. Several areas for future research exist, including determining how sexual aggression myths influence the perpetration of sexual violence and sexist mentalities, exploring how victim-blaming differs across genders and non-binary populations, identifying why trainings might increase negative perceptions towards survivors, and conducting additional research examining all types of sexual violence, not simply male-on-female violence. As such, it is suggested that the current training be updated to a required one-semester course for incoming students, with yearly refresher training, in which more information is provided about consent, stereotypes related to sexual violence, self-defense, promoting anti-victim-blaming attitudes, and offering specific guidance on how to support friends who have experienced sexual assault
Examining Determinants of Health & Healthcare Access in Costa Rica : Impacts on Population Level Health
No full textColor poster with text, images, charts, photographs, and graphs.This project explores Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system, focusing on its approach to serving urban, rural, and Indigenous communities, as well as its role in enhancing population health. During a faculty-led intercultural immersion, we partnered with local experts and healthcare providers in the country and engaged in site visits to learn more about their healthcare system. The system has notably contributed to increased life expectancy, reduced infectious disease transmission, and lower rates of infant mortality while adapting to the growing burden of chronic disease in an aging population. Unlike the privatized and fragmented U.S. healthcare system, Costa Rica provides universal access, offering a valuable case study in alternative care models. By comparing the Costa Rican and U.S. healthcare systems, this project underscores the benefits and challenges of universal care, contributing to a more holistic approach to improving healthcare access and equity.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
ENTERIC METHANE EMISSIONS IN DAIRY COWS: MATERNAL NUTRITIONAL EFFECTS, PREDICTION MODELS, AND FARM-LEVEL STRATEGIES
No full textThis thesis addresses two complementary strategies to support enteric methane mitigation in dairy cattle: maternal nutritional programming and milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectral prediction. Chapter One provides the biological and practical context, highlighting the environmental impact of methane, the challenges of on-farm measurement, and the potential of maternal nutrition and MIR spectra as scalable tools for mitigation. The chapter identifies key knowledge gaps, particularly regarding the long-term effects of maternal nutrition on offspring methane traits and the underutilized potential of MIR data. Chapter Two presents a longitudinal study evaluating whether maternal energy intake during late lactation affects the growth, feed efficiency, and methane emissions of offspring through their first lactation. Using a controlled feeding trial and the GreenFeed system to measure methane production at specific time points, the study found no significant effects of maternal diet on offspring performance. However, methane emissions increased with age and became more stable over time. Chapter Three focuses on the development and evaluation of statistical models to predict methane production using MIR milk spectra. Using data from 14 trials and multiple modeling strategies—including Partial Least Squares, BayesB, and kernel regression—the chapter compares prediction performance under various cross-validation schemes. Results showed that incorporating MIR spectra improved prediction accuracy compared to models using only fixed effects, with Bayesian and kernel methods outperforming PLS in most settings. These findings highlight the utility of MIR-based modeling for scalable methane monitoring. Chapter Four summarizes the major findings of the thesis and outlines future research directions in maternal nutrition, MIR modeling, genomic selection, and the identification of early-life biomarkers to advance methane mitigation strategies in dairy production systems.
The Wisconsin Rural-Urban Political Divide in Historical Perspective
No full textColor poster with text, maps, charts, and graphs.This project, focusing on the Wisconsin rural-urban political divide in historical perspective, aims to answer the following research question: Is there evidence of urban-rural electoral polarization in Wisconsin from the mid-20th to the early 21st century and, if so, what were the causal factors? Researchers who have studied political polarization in recent presidential elections have sought primarily to correlate single election results to ideological differences between urban and rural communities. In contrast, this project adopts a longitudinal approach by comparing presidential election results from the Wisconsin Historical Society for the periods 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. Our research demonstrates that electoral polarization among urban cities in our sample grew between 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. However, this urban polarization was greater than polarization between the sampled urban and rural communities. Similarly, electoral polarization increased among rural towns between 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. It too, however, was greater than polarization between the sampled urban and rural communities. These conclusions suggest that standard assumptions regarding the rural-urban “political divide” in Wisconsin presidential elections are overly simplistic. Specifically, they fail to account for causal factors such as regional geography among and between urban and rural communities from the mid-20th century to the present.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program
Development of a Transient Heat Flux Sensor for Analyzing Pre-Chamber Thermal Loading
No full textA high-speed transient surface temperature sensor was designed and manufactured with two key features that differentiate it from other sensors. First, the sensor was designed such that 1-D conduction can be unambiguously assumed. Second, the sensing element was placed on top of a thermal amplification layer that increased the temperature swing experienced by the sensing element. This increases the signal without an increase in the noise. The sensor was manufactured using both lithographic and aerosol jet printing techniques. The lithographic manufacturing technique was much more difficult and had a far lower success rate than the aerosol jet printing technique. Both sensor types were tested in a motored internal combustion engine and a shock tube to characterize their performance. The sensors were found to be more than capable of crank angle resolved temperature and heat flux measurements of a combustion engine cylinder wall. They had a significantly better signal-to-noise ratio than alternative surface temperature sensors. Both sensors measured a near-vertical step change in heat flux induced by a passing shock. The aerosol jet print sensor was found to have performance comparable to that of the lithographic sensor, albeit at a higher Joule heating rate than the lithographic sensor. Overall, Joule heating was found to be negligible compared to the measured heat flux magnitude.
The thermal loading of a pre-chamber wall was also tested using a standard thermocouple. A custom pre-chamber was designed and built to accommodate a thermocouple in the wall between the cylinder and the pre-chamber. The resulting temperature measurements showed that the pre-chamber wall reaches a temperature much higher than typical engine components, up to 424 °C. Transient data revealed the pre-chamber wall responded quickly to changes in engine conditions
Ultra-Scaled Tellurium Nanowire Growth for Next-Generation Microelectronics
No full textUW-Stout McNair Scholars ProgramThe purpose of the study is to develop a growth recipe for producing nanowires. Tellurium (Te) is a promising replacement for the current material, silicon, used for transistors. The growth process of tellurium starts with 1D nanowires and progresses to 2D nanoflakes.[1] This project aims to adjust the key factors in a growth recipe to increase the production of 1D nanowires.[2] It was determined that a growth temperature of 130℃, growth time of 3 hours, and 0.026 grams of PVP were the best factors for nanowire production. In addition, a MATLAB-based code was developed to automatically determine the yield of the tellurium nanowires through image recognition algorithms, enabling high-throughput, fast-turnaround identification of Tellurium nanowire growth quantity