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ANTH 247 Archaeology of Africa
Full text linkThis course unravels the mysteries of Africa’s deep history, from early humans to the rise of early cities and civilizations. Topics covered include human evolution, the emergence and spread of agriculture, the development of complex societies and urbanism, the role of trade and exchange networks in shaping African societies, and the impact of colonialism and post-colonialism on African archaeology. Additionally, the course explores Africa’s global influence through Indian Ocean and transatlantic trade, alongside groundbreaking archaeological discoveries and critiques earlier archaeological studies that contributed to stereotypes of precolonial Africa as undeveloped and isolated. No prior knowledge is required, just curiosity
NASA Design and Analysis of PEGDA Hydrogels for Microgreen Cultivation in Space
Full text linkThrough multiple experiments, Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA), a biocompatible polymer, has shown potential as a soilless growing medium for microgreens like arugula. However, a challenge arises when the roots run out of space within the hydrogel capsule, pushing the plant out of position and preventing it from absorbing nutrients from the PEGDA.
This study aims to address this challenge by analyzing different 3D-printed mold designs for the creation of the hydrogel capsules. The most promising designs include coil and tree-branch models, which encourage roots to grow in a way that relieves pressure on the leaf side of the plant, helping to prevent uprooting. Further challenges arose during testing, such as contraction of the hydrogel when dry, causing seeds to pop out of the capsule prematurely. Further research is needed to continue designing and analyzing new mold shapes for optimal success at growing microgreens inside PEGDA hydrogels
Empirical Study on the Correlation Between Social Media Usage and Self Esteem
Full text linkSocial media is a major part of everyday life for most young adults, and its effects on mental health, especially self-esteem, have become a growing area of research. Some studies have found that using platforms like Instagram or TikTok can negatively impact how people see themselves, especially when they compare their lives to others online (Magner, 2018). Others have shown that the way people use social media matters, passively scrolling may lower self-esteem, while interacting positively with others could have the opposite effect (Shashwat & Singh, 2024). On the other hand, social media can also help people feel more connected and supported when used in health ways (Gallagher, 2017). This study looks at the connection between social media use and self-esteem in college students, focusing on how much time they spend on social media and how it may relate to how they feel about themselves
The Effect of Bullet Morphology and Intermediate Targets on Bullet Path
Full text linkA key feature of shooting reconstruction is trajectory analysis. There are several different methods of assessing this from the bullet impact mark including: best-fit ellipse, lead-in, trajectory rod, 3D laser scanning, and machine learning. While these function in differently, many share a common fault. Few trajectory analysis techniques evaluate the difference in bullet path for bullet morphology. This raises the question: does the morphology of a bullet influence its degree of deviation when interacting with a target material? This study investigates the difference in bullet trajectories through drywall for 9mm full metal jacket (FMJ) and jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammunition at different angles of impact. The original hypothesis stated that the deformation would create a destabilization of JHP bullets, altering their path and resulting in higher deviations from reference compared to FMJ ammunition. However, the presence of wooden studs in the drywall did not significantly alter the percent velocity loss between JHP +P+ and FMJ ammunition. What\u27s more, for most of the targets (with and without studs), FMJ ammunition had a higher average distance from reference points and a higher standard deviation. Overall, between targets containing studs and those without, FMJ ammunition tends to have both larger deviations from the reference points as well as higher variability among the trials. One potential reason for this is the slower muzzle velocity observed for FMJ ammunition. While the results were unexpected, they do maintain the theory that, for certain intermediate targets, the morphology of the bullet could alter its path
Identifying intangible and biocultural heritage elements toward environmental understanding: engaging stakeholders through art
Full text linkGrounded in a case study in Barbuda in the Caribbean, this research examines sustainability from the perspective of what arts and heritage can contribute to community engagement and local and broader understandings about the environment. This article documents a growing body of literature recognizing the role of arts and culture, including local knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), in climate change endeavors. Art and TEK present expansive world views. Contextual information situates research done on the island of Barbuda pre- and post-Hurricane Irma. Visual arts workshops engaged community members in mixed methods research. Results documented cultural elements, particularly intangible and biocultural heritage, inclusive of a democratically selected land tenure system. Workshops involved local residents in a process of identifying cultural and ecosystem priorities, and conservation strategies. Rights holders identified relevant heritage elements and traditions. The research generated hypotheses regarding arts-based research in climate adaptation or mitigation
MAT 301 - Applied Statistics and Data Analysis
Full text linkData analysis using standard statistical methods and relevant computer software. Emphasis on real-world data, interpretation, and misinterpretation of computer output.
This syllabus contains open source notebook about data analysis content
Bayesian Statistics: Origins and Applications
Full text linkBayesian Statistics applies Bayes\u27 Theorem to update beliefs through new evidence. In this project, I explored how Bayesian Statistics applies into real supporting decision-making under uncertainty. By solving problems using data, I was able to realize how prior knowledge and evidence collaborate to make better conclusions. The project also demonstrates how Bayesian reasoning corrects our intuition to make decisions based on logical reasoning. Through this project, I was able to learn why using probability to make informed decisions matters both in science and real life
Shifting Alliances: Are Black People Increasingly Identifying as Republican?
Full text linkThis paper investigates claims that Black Americans are increasingly aligning with the Republican Party. Drawing on theories of party identification and political realignment, I compare competing perspectives to determine appropriate indicators of realignment within the Black community. Using quantitative analysis across several datasets, I find a modest rise in Republican identification over the past decade, but a more pronounced decline in Democratic affiliation. These findings suggest not a realignment toward the Republican Party, but rather a dealignment from the Democratic Party. This challenges popular media narratives of realignment and instead points to growing political disengagement among Black Americans
Examining Portrayals of Gender in the Design of AI Voice Assistants
Full text linkThis capstone project provides a theoretical framework for shifting the ways in which we think about and discuss anthropomorphized features of technological products, focusing specifically on applying this framework to the gendered design of AI voice assistants. The goal in providing this framework is to prompt readers to consider how we can think more critically about technology beyond our “preferences” and biases. Our roles as consumers of technology do not have to be passive ones. In fact, the dialectical relationship between humanity and technology makes everyone who contributes to society not just a consumer, but a developer of technology in their own right.
Many prominent AI voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa, Cortana, and Google Assistant have feminine characteristics by default. This phenomenon of anthropomorphizing commercial technology as feminine is not unique to AI voice assistants. The default feminization of technological products is just one of the ways tech companies make these products more appealing to users. This project examines the reasons why implied femininity is believed to make AI voice assistants more desirable, including the complexities of “user preferences” shaped by dominant social dialogues, the historical relationship between women and helping professions, gender inequality and discrimination in the tech field, and patriarchal ideas about the traits and roles associated with certain types of gendered voices. This line of reasoning also raises the question of why AI voices need to be decidedly gendered at all to seem more human. Gender analysis through the lens of technology provides insights into the fluidity and superficiality of gender since technologies like AI voice assistants have no biological sex but can be classified as “masculine” or “feminine” nonetheless, challenging the essentialist argument for the gender binary. This work draws upon examples from a comprehensive literature review including sources in feminist theory, philosophy, law, psychology, technology, and sociology to emphasize the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to evaluating technology
EDC 5000 Zero Textbook Cost Syllabus
Full text linkA zero-textbook-cost syllabus for EDC 5000, which focuses on special education