Gendering Fiction: A Mixed Methods Examination Of The Influence Of The boy Book/ girl Book Phenomenon On The Willingness To Read Of Young Adolescents

Well-meaning educators often recommend more boy books to increase reading motivation amongst boys. This experimental mixed-methods study investigated the influence of the boy book/ girl book phenomenon on willingness to read using a researcher-designed instrument called the Textual Features Sort (TFS). The TFS measured two attitudinal constructs—gendered beliefs about texts and willingness to read—in relation to individual textual features of selected young adult novels. Data came from 50 sixth and seventh grade students at a mid-sized public school in a rural New England state. Mean scores, frequencies, and percentages were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, paired t-tests, and Fisher\u27s exact test. Qualitative data was used to explain quantitative results. Findings indicate that boys were not more willing to read boy books than other books, nor less willing to read books with female protagonists. Boys were significantly less willing to read girl books, though individual textual features of a single novel elicited different gendered beliefs along with varying degrees of willingness to read. Girls were significantly less willing to read a novel if it was first sorted as a boy book. Research revealed a widespread belief in social consequences for a boy carrying a girl book down the hallway, that did not hold for girls. Findings suggest that sociocultural constructions of gender inhibit both boys and girls as readers, though to varying degrees, and challenge the notion that highly gendered and heteronormative assumptions about books and reading practices will increase willingness to read among young adolescent boys

Proposal for Cal Poly Livestock Judging Team Golf Tournament

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Livestock Judging Team was founded in 1948. Since then, there had consistently been a team competing for Cal Poly until 2002. Unfortunately, the judging team was cut due to budget constraints placed on the Animal Science Department. In 2017, Mr. Lee Rincker spearheaded the reinstatement of the team, recruiting five members to compete for the season. Intercollegiate livestock judging is a co-curricular activity where competitors apply their knowledge of animal science to determine the quality of livestock animals for use in real-world situations. Research has determined that this program develops both life and professional skills. These skills include, but are not limited to, the ability to make quick, informed decisions, understand the industry, and defend their reasoning (Rusk et. al). It is the hope of the Animal Science Department that the University will have a team to compete for years to come. There are numerous travel and registration costs for a livestock judging team, sometimes up to $25,000 annually, and, therefore, a significant budget is required to make competing possible (Culp, 2015). Alumni support is a beneficial and untapped funding source for the livestock judging team at Cal Poly. With their support, it is more likely that Cal Poly will continue to be able to justify a judging program for its students. In order to raise the funds and support of alumni, the first annual Cal Poly Livestock Judging Alumni Golf Tournament will be implemented in Spring of 2019

Educating engaged citizens through service: Innovative models for reflection and dialogue

Community service, accompanied by regular, guided reflection, provides a highly effective tool for engaging students in democratic practices within their communities (Astin, 1998; Kolb, 1984; Kuh, 1995). Community service programs must include components that develop greater identification with the community, promote civil dialogue and critical thought, and teach communication skills. Reflection practices can teach students about a range of social issues and also deepen their understanding of the common good. Engagement in the community through service provides an ideal vehicle for sparking conversation about previously unexamined concepts of self in relation to society, and the notion of a common good that weaves through the tapestry of society. After a yearlong process that included a literature review, examination of models implemented at other universities, and self�evaluation of education and reflection practices, staff from the Center for Community Service and Justice developed an innovative model designed to raise the quality of and participation in structured reflection sessions proceeding and following co�curricular community service experiences. The new model is structured around three key components ��Commitment, Training, and Curriculum ��that address both the weaknesses of the previous model and further the goals of experiential education. To assess the effectiveness of the new model in accomplishing the goals for reflection, qualitative and quantitative data have been collected and evaluated for both student participants and student leaders

Ligand Substitution of Ruthenium (II) Complexes that Elicit Physical and Chemical Changes

Over the last few years the exploration into ruthenium compounds and the field of coordination chemistry have grown. Ruthenium (II) and ruthenium (III) carry oxidation states that accommodate six-coordinated octahedral configurations in which axial attached ligands can determine chemical and steric properties. UV/Vis spectrometry, H1 NMR, and electrochemical voltammetry will be used to gather data from previously synthesized ruthenium (II) coordination complexes. We hope that by substituting various R groups on three different locations of our ruthenium (II) complex we will be able to control for many physical and chemical changes. After collecting the data from all three complimentary techniques we hope to directly compare E1/2 values, MLCT energies and NMR chemical shifts. Based on the literature we know that there will be a direct relationship between these results based on our chosen substituents

Safe Care for Seizure Patients on an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

Seizure patients admitted to an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit located within an academic tertiary medical center have a high potential to impact patient safety. As a result, a unit based team identified a need for a higher level of training for both their staff and float companions to ensure safe and standardized care for this group of patients. The goal of this quality improvement project was to create an educational tool that would assist 100% of staff in better recognizing and responding to seizures. Baseline metrics and root cause analysis demonstrated a lack of consistent information being taught, a poorly identified target audience as well as educators. Several countermeasures were instituted to include an educational video that standardized seizure and response education. Data collected post rollout demonstrated several positive outcomes to include zero safety events involving this patient population, meeting the goal of 100% of staff educated, and education being mandatory for new staff. Some of the next steps include expanding training to staff caring for pediatric epilepsy patients as well as a tele-sitters video monitoring system request for FY20 budget year

Aqueous alteration processes in Jezero crater, Mars—implications for organic geochemistry

The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, Mars, in February 2021. We used the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument to perform deep-ultraviolet Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy of three rocks within the crater. We identify evidence for two distinct ancient aqueous environments at different times. Reactions with liquid water formed carbonates in an olivine-rich igneous rock. A sulfate-perchlorate mixture is present in the rocks, which probably formed by later modifications of the rocks by brine. Fluorescence signatures consistent with aromatic organic compounds occur throughout these rocks and are preserved in minerals related to both aqueous environments

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SELF-COMPASSION, MINDFULNESS, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

(Statement of Responsibility) by Megan J. Farley(Thesis) Thesis (B.A.) -- New College of Florida, 2015RESTRICTED TO NCF STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY, AND ON-CAMPUS USE(Bibliography) Includes bibliographical references.This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.Faculty Sponsor: Cottrell, Catherin