See, Anchor, and Frame Math With Coding

In this presentation, we will share our experiences with integrating mathematics and programming in fifth-grade classrooms. We approached this integration with three key features in our lessons: visualization of important math concepts, anchor ideas that cross coding and math, and the framing of content to help students make connections. We will share our exponents, fractions, and geometry lessons and show how we used coding to provide students with meaningful spaces to engage with interactive contexts to broaden their mathematics conceptions

General Education Subcommittee Minutes February 6, 2025

Present Excused Guest Call to Order Approval of Minutes Course Approvals/Removals/Syllabi Approvals New Business Additional Items Adjourn: 9:19 a

Convergence Research for Microplastic Pollution at the Watershed Scale

Microplastics are found in Earth\u27s atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere, and ecosphere. While there is a growing interest and need to solve this grand challenge in both the academic and policy realms, few have engaged with academics, policymakers, and community partners to co-identify the problem, co-design research, and co-produce knowledge in tackling this issue. Using a convergence research framework, we investigated the perception of microplastic pollution among different end users, delivered educational materials to K-12 teachers and practitioners, and identified key sampling points for assessing environmental microplastic concentrations in the Columbia River Basin, United States. Three community partner workshops identified regional issues and concerns associated with microplastic pollution and explored potential policy intervention strategies. The stakeholder survey, co-designed with community partners, identified varying perceptions around microplastic pollution across educators, government employees, non-profit employees, and industry practitioners. Pre- and post-test results of teacher workshops show increases in participants\u27 knowledge after taking a four-week summer class with the knowledge being translated to their students. Community partners also helped develop a unique passive sampling plan for atmospheric deposition of microplastics using synoptic moss samples and provided freshwater samples for microplastic quantification across the basin. Our study drew three major lessons for successfully conducting convergence environmental research—(1) communication and trust building, supported by the use of key-informants to expand networks; (2) co-creation through collaboration, where partners and students shaped research and education to enhance impact; and (3) change-making, as project insights were translated into policy discussions, community outreach, and classrooms

Evaluation of a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for Free Space Optical Communication Applications

High-power semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are a promising alternative to erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), which are traditionally used for free-space optical communication (FSO). Here, we characterize the performance of a watt-class 1550 nm AuraTM SOA for FSO applications. We demonstrate an open eye diagram for 26.8 dBm SOA output power using the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) tranche 1 protocol. We then show that despite some waveform distortions, frame error rates of 3.9 x 10-4 are achieved for -28 dBm of received optical power with no forward error correction (FEC). Parameters of importance to optical communications such as signal gain, output power and beam quality are presented. We then identify optimal operating parameters for the SOA and discuss its suitability for laser communication applications

Utah Strawberries: Consumer Preferences for Specialty Labels

This fact sheet is the second of two discussing the results of a study on consumer preferences and willingness to pay (pricing) for fresh strawberries. This fact sheet highlights how specialty labeling influences consumers’ perceptions and willingness to pay. The study was conducted at Utah State University (USU) in August 2024.The study examines familiarity with production and labeling programs, as well as perceptions of local and organic food

Self-Perception as a Predictor of Eating Disorder Severity in a Residential Sample of Women and Girls With Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions with significant negative health outcomes, high mortality rates, and comorbid mental health conditions. Despite many available interventions for eating disorders, treatment remains challenging due to the difficulty in maintaining treatment gains. Understanding effective treatment processes is crucial. This study aimed to examine the role of self-perception components in predicting eating disorder severity in a residential sample of women and girls. Participants (N = 175) completed measures assessing eating disorder severity, self-kindness, self-judgment, and self-esteem at admission. Correlational analyses and structural equation modeling were used to explore these relationships. Results indicated that self-judgment and self-esteem were significant predictors of eating disorder severity, while self-kindness was not. These findings highlight the importance of targeting self-judgment and self-esteem in treating eating disorders, suggesting potential areas for therapeutic focus to improve treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to refine transdiagnostic interventions for eating disorders and explore their efficacy across clinical settings

Changing Climate, Changing Minds: Social Media\u27s Role in Shifting Climate Change Beliefs

This study explores how social media messages influence individual beliefs, attitudes and behaviors related to climate change. Despite widespread exposure to social media, there is concern about its effectiveness in shaping beliefs and actions regarding climate adaptation and mitigation. Research indicates that many people in the United States show limited concern for climate change, underscoring the need for targeted communication strategies. By designing and implementing a survey experiment with random participants within the United States, this study examines how sharing first- person experiences of climate-related hazards on social media affects opinions about climate change, in comparison to traditional third-person news coverage. By assessing changes in beliefs and attitudes after participants view videos from two different perspectives: a) a person experiencing a natural disaster or b) a news outlet reporting on that same natural disaster, the research aims to clarify the connection between social media content and climate-related opinions and behaviors. The findings offer valuable insights for developing effective communication and action-oriented campaigns in this critical area

Familiar New Histories: Promenade Theatre and Local Amateur Actors in a Creative Heritage Project

Building upon previous work in the creative heritage sector, in this paper I analyse A Time Traveller’s Guide to Theatrical Brecon, a promenade production funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, performed on the streets of Brecon in mid Wales, UK in 2021. The performance involved local amateur actors from Brecon Little Theatre and was accompanied by a map and educational resources and workshops for local schools. It brought to life stories from Brecon’s theatre history for its local residents. Brecon Little Theatre members created and performed the promenade performance, creatively engaging with historical material to write, direct, rehearse, and present fictionalised scenes rooted in historical events. In my analysis of the project, I offer a methodology for creative heritage which intersects the fields of theatre history, public history, and amateur theatre. I propose a form of participatory history involving an academic institution, amateur performance practices, and the wider public. I suggest that through involving amateur theatre groups in the formation of community heritage, and developing meaningful accompanying resources, wider demographics within society can be engaged within creative heritage processes

Give Your Data a Glow-Up: Data Visualization With Tableau for Non-Programmers

A well-designed data visualization can be a huge boost in effectively communicating your research findings. Tableau is the most popular, most powerful software for creating custom visualizations from complex datasets without requiring coding skills. This hands-on workshop will walk you through the basics of getting your data loaded into Tableau, choosing the right chart or graph type to best show off your findings, and customizing the results to look professional and aesthetically pleasing

An Alternative to Biliverdin, Mesobiliverdin IXα and Mesobiliverdin-Enriched Microalgae: A Review on the Production and Applications of Mesobiliverdin-Related Products

Despite attracting interest for decades due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities, the use of biliverdin IXα (BV) in medicine and agriculture is hampered by uncertain purity and limited availability. A significant amount of effort has been devoted to the production and application of BV, but with limited success. Mesobiliverdin IXα (MBV), a natural BV analog derived from microalgae, offers a path to overcome the limitations of BV. MBV production is scalable, and it can be obtained at high purity. MBV and BV share important structural features (e.g., bridging propionate groups) and both are substrates of biliverdin reductase A (BVRA), and thus exert the same mechanisms and pathways for anti-inflammatory action. To enable the use of MBV in industry, especially in agriculture, a cost-effective product, mesobiliverdin-enriched microalgae (MEM), was developed. In this review, we focus on recent developments and investigations of MBV and MEM, and compare their effectiveness with BV and Spirulina. This review article highlights cost-effective and scalable production of MEM, the therapeutic potential of MBV in cytoprotection and anti-inflammation, and MEM as an animal feed additive for improved gut health and amelioration of osteoporosis. More studies are ongoing to expand the potential applications of both MBV and MEM from fundamental research to industrial and agricultural practices