Home Away From Home

A story 10,000 Blocks away from the overworld, exploring a galaxy of new ideas and a journey of restoring a broken sci-fi-ridden world. Home Away from Home is a story of triumph in hardship, about tenacity all wrapped into a tasteful and family-oriented package. This book blends the classic sci-fi feeling with Minecraft\u27s exciting world, perfect for those unfamiliar and for those who have read much sci-fi before. This book is a springboard for the Curious and a love letter to Isaac Fergusons\u27 imagination of his younger days in Minecraft. This story is a must-read story in our current time; it covers the real issue of loneliness. It explores a broken world yet encourages those who read to be brave in times of struggle. Uncertainty and confusion rule the world today, and Home Away from Home speaks into that struggle boldly. Although the story was written for a younger audience, it’s written from the perspective of a dad. The reason for this is to show kids a glimpse into a parent\u27s mind and to show that parents aren\u27t just absent nowadays; they care for their kids. This story was made not just to tell an adventure but also to teach a more and more disrespectful society the value of loving those around you. Isaac wrote this story for people who are curious and adventurous, and Home Away from Home invites the reader to take in a new perspective and become a member of the family

Using Digital Word Puzzles to Develop Executive Functioning Skills in Adolescent Males with Known Skills Deficits

Research shows that game-based interventions can effectively help develop some executive functioning (EF) skills. However, the majority of the interventions previously studied involve specialized and/or expensive games. The author believes that using commonly available word-based digital puzzles to “warm up” students’ brains can lead to improved EF skills, leading to students being more motivated to engage in learning, which in turn promotes greater success in the classroom as well as in life in general. Two adolescent males were studied for five weeks (total of 17 school days) using Merriam-Webster’s Blossom (2025) as an intervention for EF skills at the start of their class period. Various data collection methods were used, all of which pointed to improved EF skills for one of the two students. The second student had mixed results, though he also played other, non-word-based video games outside of class time. The author believes that this study shows gains in EF skills can be made by utilizing quick, freely available word-based puzzles. Educators and parents can therefore be assured that they do not have to spend a lot of time or money on EF skill interventions to see improvements in the classroom and beyond

The Beacon, April 11, 2025

Smooth start for NEXT students; Ann Minnick: a bittersweet goodbye; Mumford & Sons does nothing memorable; Death of a Unicorn is exactly what it seems; Senior Spotlight on Liam Nibbelink; How Iowa legislation may affect NW students; An organization for future teachers; NEXT orientation mentorship; An Enemy of the People takes the stage; Spiritual and social growth; Shark Tale : an over-hated gem; Little Caesar\u27s - the best pizza chain; Coach Korver transitioning leadership; A deeper look at the Athletic Training Clinic; A spotlight on NW tennis; Beacon\u27s future: new Beacon-ings; Stranded astronauts return home

The Impact of Self-Reflection on Teacher Growth and Effectiveness

This study explored how consistent self-reflection can support teacher growth and improve instruction. Over a four-week period in a 7th-grade computer science class, I used daily reflections, journal entries, and informal observations to see how reflection influenced my teaching and student engagement. Small, regular check-ins after each class helped me adjust lesson pacing, improve transitions, and respond more intentionally to student needs. Themes like time management, classroom flow, creativity, and collaboration came up often, but student engagement was mentioned the most. Without major changes to the curriculum, reflection helped me teach with more purpose and confidence. While this study focused on one teacher, the results suggest that consistent reflection can lead to meaningful improvements in the classroom

The Beacon, February 7, 2025

Unsung Hero: Dr. Doug Anderson; County coffee shop showdown; Flipturn\u27s album highlights vocal range; Mufasa deemed a crime against the original; Senior spotlight: double major Elliana Zerr; Dr. Bates leads youth program launch in Kenya; Beacon staff highlights and changes; Local brews and fresh reviews; Practical benefits of studying abroad; Archives hero at NW; The greatest romance story; Living a monastic life; The big game: Predictions from NW staff; Softball off to a great start to 2025 season; Students enjoy winter intramurals at NW; DeepSeek: a new AI competitor; Orange City to host RAGBRAI

The Effects of Technology Use in the Classroom Relating to Student Achievement and Engagement

Technology has made vast improvements in recent years which in turn has trickled into the education system making classrooms switch from traditional learning to learning with the use of technology. Research has shown that there are both advantages and disadvantages to using technology in the classroom. This study aims to find the right balance for technology use with both students and teachers while focusing on student achievement and engagement during their school careers. The researcher read through various scholarly journal articles relating to the topic of the effects of technology on student achievement and engagement. Based on the research, a five-question online survey was emailed to fifteen anticipated participants who currently teach in a Preschool through twelfth grade classroom at Wayne Community School District in Iowa; eleven participants completed the survey. Analysis of the responses demonstrated a mixed response of both positives and negatives. Technology must be used responsibly by both students and teachers for this to be successful; teachers must monitor continuously, and students must stay on task. However, technology in the classroom is vital to ensure that students are prepared for their future outside of school. Future research is needed to determine how to monitor student use of technology, so students stay on task and are engaged in the content assigned

Statistical Programming Package for Simplified Data Exploration

Simple linear regression can be very helpful for exploring a dataset through identifying variable relationships and the percentage of variance in the dependent variable explained by the model. The project showcases a coding package for the statistical programming language R that I have created to provide a streamlined approach to exploring data through linear regression. Packages serve as extensions of coding languages to add features or functions. This package automates simple linear regression and outputs key values for data exploration such as p value, R^2, and independent variable coefficients in an organized and concise manner. In addition to regression, this package includes variance inflation factor (VIF) analysis to detect multicollinearity and flag it in the output. This enables quantitative researchers to be more organized and thus spend less time coding during their pursuit of statistical insights

Costuming Hamlet

Combining elements from both Medieval and Renaissance eras, while mixing in a little Nordic flair, I want the costumes of Northwestern\u27s production of Hamlet to be a representation of the times while avoiding ordinary drabness. The costumes will be clear silhouettes that speak to the history of the play, but be built in colors that bring Shakespeare\u27s story to a vibrant life. Color schemes will help tell the story through family tree connections and bring a rare pop to this tragedy. Throughout each piece there will be a unique combination of historical accuracy and the touch of a designer\u27s imagination

Student Inclusion in Least Restrictive Environment

When writing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), the least restrictive environment (LRE) is typically defined as the general education classroom. However, this may not be held for all students. This research explores how LRE placement impacts academic performance and social engagement among students with disabilities. Through quantitative data collection and a descriptive research design, the study questions the assumption that inclusive practices are always the best approach. The findings indicate a statistical correlation between the amount of time spent in general education and the frequency of behavioral issues among students with disabilities. Specifically, data show that students exhibited more behavioral problems when they spent more time in the general education classroom compared to the special education classroom. Additionally, staff members are uncertain about implementing inclusion, particularly for students with higher needs. While this research provides valuable insights, further studies are necessary to fully understand the social-emotional impact of inclusion on students with disabilities