ANALYZING THE EVOLUTION AND FREQUENCY OF CHEMISTRY TERMINOLOGY IN EDUCATION AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES

The language of science education, particularly chemistry education, plays a crucial role in student learning and success. Language serves as the vehicle through which knowledge is transferred, making it essential for teachers and students to share a common linguistic understanding. This is especially true in science education, where specialized terminology is key to conveying complex concepts. The language of science is a melting pot of borrowed words, often derived from Greek, Latin, and other languages, and the words that survive are those that are most commonly taught and absorbed by students. Therefore, the frequency of specific chemistry terms correlates to what is easiest to learn and communicate. This research explores the methodologies used to assess the frequency and usage of chemical terminology in chemistry-focused environments. The study analyzes variations of common chemistry terms, such as “Lewis dot structure,” by comparing data from large pre-established language corpora and vocabulary choices in online chemistry discussions, such as those on StackExchange. Text data is processed and analyzed using Python to maximize efficiency and insight. The aim is to gather a large sample of speech and text used by diverse audiences to assess which terms are most commonly used and which are less prevalent. Preliminary results suggest notable differences in the frequency of term usage across these platforms. These findings highlight the evolving nature of chemistry terminology and suggest that future studies could explore language usage at a more granular level. As data collection and analysis methods improve, further research could provide valuable insights into the development and communication of chemistry language in both academic and public domains

THE BALL GAME, SACRIFICE, AND SKULL RACKS IN PRECONTACT MESOAMERICA

The Classic and Postclassic periods (AD 600-1519) in Ancient Mesoamerica were dominated by three distinct cultures: the Aztec, the Maya, and the Toltec. These three cultures were interconnected by numerous aspects of both the physical and cosmological worlds. One of those aspects was the “ball game” – a game played with a rubber ball on an I-shaped court in which the players can only move the ball around the field using their hips, thighs, and torso. In fact, the ball game was so important in Ancient Mesoamerica, that it became a central point of focus in the creation myths of all three cultures. While there is a plethora of academic information regarding the Mesoamerican ball game, there is a significant lack of information regarding the practices of human sacrifice that coincided with the game itself – specifically, the displaying of the loser’s decapitated head on architectural structures called tzompantli, or “skull racks”. The focus of this study is to gain a better understanding as to the significance of skull racks, why they were so important to Mesoamerican cultures, and why these mysterious structures continue to be an architectural enigma within the study of pre-Columbian civilizations

ECHO CHAMBER: THE EFFECTS OF CONFIRMATION BIAS ON POLITICAL ATTITUDES

Younger generations’ algorithm-driven media consumption allows them to curate the information they encounter, which has consequences for the American political landscape. If less exposed to political activity/information, how do college students decide which candidates/parties to support? As candidates venture into short-form video political advertising, how might young people interpret these brief messages? With little context, do unconscious biases such as sexism influence how a message is received, regardless of the content? The current study examined the impact of implicit gender bias on college students\u27 judgments of political messages. To isolate the influence of gender versus attractiveness, auditory stimuli were utilized rather than video. Brief left-leaning and right-leaning statements were created for each of 10 policy topics (e.g., abortion), and these 20 statements were read by an AI-generated male voice and female voice, for 40 statements total. College students (N = 33) listened to the ideological statements (randomized by topic but counterbalanced by block (gender)) and rated their credibility. Analysis revealed no difference in participants’ credibility ratings based on sex of the voice (p = .915). Participants did, however, strongly differ in their ratings of the ideological position statements, with a general preference for liberal-leaning positions (p\u3c.001, ƞ2 = 0.24). Post hoc analysis revealed a surprising interaction between this effect of ideological stance and participants’ self-reported partisanship, p\u3c.001, ƞ2 = .306. Specifically, while participants identifying as Democrats (n = 16) rated liberal statements as more credible than conservative statements (M difference = 1.35 on a 4-point scale), Republican participants (n = 14) did not show the opposite pattern; instead, they were equally likely to rate left and right leaning statements as credible (M difference = 0.11)

TRANSFORMING WORLD CITIZENS INTO NATIONAL AND GLOBAL LEADERS AT BREWTON-PARKER COLLEGE

Georgia\u27s private Christian colleges offer more than pathways to credentials and degrees. Brewton-Parker College (BPC), Mount Vernon, GA, has been offering the Students\u27 Undergraduate Research Experience Program (BPC-SURE) to her students since 1996. The SURE Program serviced ethnically diverse populations of students from underrepresented groups, providing students for graduate programs, operating as engines of economic development. The present paper summarizes the long-term impact and aspiration of the BPC-SURE Program at the national and the international levels, and recognizes two successful women of color, alumni of BPC; today are serving as national and international leaders: (i) Dr. Michelle Samuel-Foo is a 2000 summa cum laude graduate of BPC. She went on to earn both an Ms. in Agronomy and a PhD in entomology from The University of Georgia. Earlier, she served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Department of agriculture\u27s (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which was the lead extramural funding arm of USDA. In this role, she provided leadership for research, education and economics projects at over 100 land grant universities in the United States. Recently, Dr. Samuel-Foo has joined the USDA Forest Service as Associate Deputy Chief for Research and Development (ii) Ms. Rajyeshwari Ghosh is a 2001 graduate of BPC. She went on to pursue graduate studies while working in Citigroup, Wall Street, PwC India, and KPMG India in the areas of finance, technology and consulting. In 2018, she has founded the Quantum Holistic Advisory Services, providing opportunities to equitable livelihood for small and home-based businesses, artisans and crafts people in her communities. Her work has been recognized by Modern Work Award in Germany, was certified by Good Market in U.K. and was awarded the Best Social Impact Award by Calcutta Management Association

EXOPLANET TRANSIT

This study uses data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to encounter planets using the existing transit survey method. By analysing the light flux data recorded by TESS over time and concentrating on the detailed profiles of individual transits, we measure both the frequency and duration of exoplanet transits. These measurements enable more precise estimates of exoplanet radii and the inclination angle of the observed transit from Earth. By observing data sets that span over a few years we can better analyse the path these planets are taking. This study observes Rho Coronae Borealis. It is a G0V class star and is thought to have four current exoplanets. We will observe one such planet TIC 458494003, which is the third planet from the star. This study will measure the angle of inclination and orbital period of the planet

DETERMINING THE UPPER THERMAL LIMITS OF THE WHITE TUBERCLED CRAYFISH (PROCAMBARUS SPICULIFER, LECONTE 1856)**

The southeastern United States is a biodiversity hotspot, yet many of its freshwater species, including crayfish, face threats from habitat changes and increasing temperature. Despite the ecological importance of crayfish, physiological data critical for predicting species\u27 responses to environmental changes, such as thermal tolerance, are limited. This study aims to investigate the upper thermal limit (UTL)—the temperature at which physiological function breaks down due to thermal stress—of Procambarus spiculifer (the White Tubercled Crayfish), a common stream-dwelling species in cool-water habitats across the southeastern United States. The UTL of P. spiculifer will be determined in a controlled experiment by steadily increasing water temperature until the breakdown of physiological function is indicated by a lack of righting response. Understanding the thermal tolerance of P. spiculifer has the potential to provide crucial data for conservation efforts, offering insight into the species’ potential responses to rising temperatures and habitat changes. These findings will contribute to broader ecological predictions and management strategies aimed at preserving crayfish biodiversity in the face of climate change

Gravity Tunnel Dynamics at Non-zero Tunnel Diameters

A standard exercise in undergraduate mechanics derives the trajectory of a particle that has been dropped through a gravity tunnel passing through the center of the Earth as simple harmonic oscillation, assuming uniform earth density and negligible tunnel radius. We show that when the more accurate Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM) density profile and non-negligible tunnel radii are taken into consideration, significant deviations from harmonic oscillation are observed along with increasing or decreasing average particle speeds. Furthermore, we report that a particle traveling along a diameter perpendicular to the axis of the gravity tunnel is unable to reach the center of the earth beyond a critical tunnel radius of 71.36% of the earth’s radius in the uniform density model, or 72.36% of the radius in the PREM density model. When the rotation of the earth is incorporated, the particle released from the surface is observed to form planar trajectories that occasionally extend beyond the surface of the earth at large tunnel radii, owing to tunnel-induced non-uniformity of the earth\u27s potential energy surface. At the same time, the traversal times from surface to center can be closely approximated by the assumption of constant gravity even at large tunnel radii. The results presented here demonstrate the effect on the overall potential energy surface and particle dynamics when the tunnel radius is not negligible

MODELING THE PAST: LIDAR DOCUMENTATION AND 3D VISUALIZATON IN THE BLUE RIDGE**

Laser scanning and 3-dimensional modeling of natural and cultural resources affords archaeologists, historians, resource managers, descendant communities, and the captivated public a powerful approach to the documentation and representation of both our past and present. This study provides such an example: a terrestrial LiDAR application at a precontact soapstone quarry and petroglyph complex in the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province of Georgia, followed by intensive data processing and visualization through both static and manipulable digital models. The results reveal yet another example of both the value of advanced technologies in archaeology, and the necessity for accurate documentation of resources imperiled by natural forces and land-use change

Georgia Academy of Science 2025 Annual Meeting Program

Program for the 2025 GAS Annual Meeting

RELATIONSHIP OF CHAIN-FORMING ARAPHID DIATOM COMMUNITIES FOUND IN HYDROLOGICALLY VARIABLE WETLANDS

Diatoms, a common group of algae made of silica, are found to be high quality bioindicators. The former Bo Ginn National Fish Hatchery in Millen, Georgia, United States was used to study the modifications done on spring-fed wetlands. Ponds were modified based on inundation period and featured eight total wetlands, five were temporarily inundated and three were permanently inundated. All samples were collected using a benthic core sampler. The goals of this research were to (1) identify diatoms to the lowest taxonomic level, (2) compare algal metrics between the varying inundations and the top versus bottom of the sediment cores and (3) observe and analyze chain formation of Staurosira construens Ehrenberg. Previous research on this project found that S. construens dominated all samples with over 50% relative abundance. It is a chain-forming diatom and there is importance in observing these chains in order to document reproductive and diminution series traits that might be observable within samples. Current data shows high abundance of chains and the average number of frustules within a chain being four frustules. Chain showed diatom’s ability to survive and reproduce, leading to increased number of chains. There was a higher prevalence of chains within the temporary wetlands; however, there were more total temporary ponds overall. These digested samples were compared to live samples collected from the spring, the wetlands’ water source, and there were higher length of chains. There is theory that length of chain varied on both the practice of digestion and mounting of slides or the live collection of samples from the spring. This research contributes to the understanding of the effects of anthropogenic use on the ecosystem even years after the hatchery closed along with the relationship between chain length and size within sediment cores of top and bottom as well as inundation