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Phenomenological Inquiry into Middle School Teachers’ Perception of Creativity
Get PDFResearchers do agree that creativity is an ability that can be developed and should be fostered (Guilford, 1958; Parnes, 1961). Teachers play an important role in creativity development and often serve as gatekeepers to identify gifted and talented students (Bianco et al., 2011; Novak & Jones, 2021; Schack & Starko, 1990). However, teachers’ judgment of their students’ creativity often only correlates weakly with the results of creativity measures (Kettler et al., 2018; Torrance, 1963). Therefore, in this study I explored teachers’ perception of creativity and creative students as well as factors that support or hinder creativity. The findings revealed that the perception of teachers regarding creativity aligned with the literature stressing that all children are creative. However, creativity and learning only occurs if students are motivated. To motivate students, teachers try to find interesting topics. Teachers defined creativity as something unique however they emphasized that it is expressed differently in the arts and sciences. The process of creation is fun and exciting and innately intertwined with learning. Teachers described creative students as confident, open-minded, and imaginative. Teachers, parents, the school system, and the school district all play an important role in the development of children’s potential and in fostering creativity. Participants expressed that creativity is difficult to measure because of its subjective and personal nature. Implications for practice of the findings are discussed
The Interplay of Spin, Charge, and Heat: From Metal/Insulator Heterostructures to Perovskite Bilayers
Get PDFIn this dissertation begin with an investigation of non-local spin transport in an amorphous germanium (a-Ge) sample via the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). In that study we show that commonly used techniques such as differential conductance and delta mode of a paired Keithley 6221/2182a for non-local resistance measurements can lead to false indicators of spin transport. Next, we turn out attention to a thickness dependent study in thermally-evaporated chromium (Cr) thin films on a bulk polycrystalline yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) substrate. This project analyzed the spin transport in the Cr films versus thickness via the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect (LSSE). This research revealed a complex thickness dependence of the spin-to-charge conversion and LSSE voltages for the evaporated Cr that may be a consequence of strain in Cr and finite size effects. We continue to examine LSSE in thermallyevaporated Cr, but now under a temperature dependent study. The results reveal an enhancement in the evaporated Cr below 200 K, where the Cr thin film transitions from a mixed SDW antiferromagnetic state described by the combination of a antiferromagnetic commensurate SDW (CSDW) and paramagnetic incommensurate SDW (ISDW) to a full antiferromagnetic state where both CSDW and ISDW are antiferromagnetic. This is absent in sputtered Cr thin films deposited on similar YIG substrates. Finally, we explore the spin-flopped coupled lanthanum strontium ferrite (LSFO) lanthanum strontium manganite (LSMO) bilayer grown on a lanthanum strontium aluminate (LSAT) substrate. This research focuses on the possible control of magnetic moments using current pulses
Data-Driven Approaches for Enhancing Power Grid Reliability
Get PDFThis thesis explores the transformative potential of data-driven approaches in addressing key operational and reliability issues in power systems. The first part of this thesis addresses a prevalent problem in power distribution networks: the accurate identification of load phases. This study develops a data-driven model leveraging consumption measurements from smart meters and corresponding substation data to reconstruct topology information in low-voltage distribution networks. The proposed model is extensively tested using a dataset with more than 5,000 real load profiles, demonstrating satisfactory performance for large-scale networks. The second part of the thesis pivots to a crucial safety concern: the risk and vulnerability of power system to wildfires. This study presents a comprehensive data-driven framework that integrates a robust wildfire spread simulator and power flow analysis to assess metrics such as risk and vulnerability associated with transmission network components against grid-ignited wildfires. A 30-bus test system serves as the case study. Results suggest that this framework can support power system planners and operators in determining the optimal allocation of investments for resilience and risk mitigation strategies.
This research demonstrates how harnessing data, particularly from smart meters and robust simulation tools, can drive strategic decision-making in power system planning and operations, and contribute significantly towards a reliable and resilient energy future
Varying Vernaculars: How to Fix the Lanham Act\u27s Weakness Exposed by the Washington Redskins
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Evaluating the Efficiency of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors at a Suburban Field Site
Get PDFScience surrounding the use of low-cost sensors (LCS) to monitor air quality is rapidly expanding to satisfy the need to fill in regional air quality data gaps. This project evaluated the suitability of two types of LCS: Modulair-PM and PurpleAir (SD and Flex models) as efficient means to measure airborne particulate matter. The study involved physical installation of nine co-located sensors at a suburban site in Denver, connectivity troubleshooting as necessary, and data analysis/modeling of data over multiple months (19 weeks). PM data was compared between individual sensors of the same type, as well as across the two different sensor models, and used to draw conclusions about air quality trends at the field site. Comparisons between sensors were generally in good agreement (R2 values of 0.98, 0.99, 1.00), but an additive bias was observed for several sensors, highlighting the importance of calibration of these types of units. The project concluded with installation of the PurpleAir units at a field site at the Kennedy Mountain Campus of the University of Denver. Results from the project create a base level of understanding of LCS functionality to be expanded upon in future project applications
