A Qualitative Investigation into the Significant Achievement of Pasifika Students in One New Zealand School

This qualitative case study aimed to investigate why Pasifika students at one school in New Zealand were exhibiting higher levels of achievement than students in schools nationally were on average. The research was conducted through a variety of data collection methods – interviews, questionnaires, documents, observations and journals. The interviews were conducted with three staff members and three students – two current students and one past student and formed the base for the data collection process. The questionnaire was distributed to the general population of Pasifika students while the observations and journaling formed part of the ‘teacheras- researcher’ aspects of the research. The underlying reason found for the academic achievement of the Pasifika students appeared to be the authentic relationships formed in the school. These relationships extended throughout the school and included the student-teacher, student-student, student-school, student-family and student-self relationships. The small size of the school, the boarding department and the Christian ethos of the school drove these relationships to thrive within the school context. In turn, these relationships based on qualities such as acceptance, belief in each other, care and understanding enable students to belong, be who they are and become more

Master of Arts

thesisThis project investigates the representation of American actresses Mary Martin and Jane Fonda during the Vietnam War and why they are inversely committed to American cultural memory. Mary Martin's involvement as a Broadway performer in an active war zone reinforced her legacy as America's sweetheart. Jane Fonda's role as a feminist, antiwar protester constructed her reputation as an un-American traitor. Both women promoted different agendas of American interventionism in Asia based on their interaction styles with Asian nationals and relationships with the US government. Martin and Fonda's dueling legacies reveal how the politicization of female performers during the Vietnam War weaponized both women to advance American imperialism in Asia

GOMDS - GRUMPY OLD MEN DOING SHAKESPEARE; THE COMEDY OF ERRORS AS METAPHOR FOR LIFE, AGING, AND BUILDING COMMUNITY

This thesis explores the process of building community over time, through collaboration, to rehearse and produce a portable production of Shakespeare\u27s The Comedy of Errors, looking at the elements of time, trust and age with an ensemble of ten men, all actors over the age of 55. The building of trust over time was vital to the production process and the actors had the time to embody their roles and the language of the play. We look at the questions “why this play,” “why all men?” and “why theatre?” and investigate the physical nature of the play and its violence a la Three Stooges or Punch and Judy. We will look at the themes of aging, discrimination and the search for family and identity, all of which have resonance today, through the lens of play

Understanding Rates of Marijuana Use and Consequences Among Adolescents in a Changing Legal Landscape.

Purpose of Review:There is not one answer to address whether marijuana use has increased, decreased, or stayed the same given changes in state legalization of medical and non-medical marijuana in the USA. Recent Findings:Evidence suggests some health benefits for medical marijuana; however, initiation of marijuana use is a risk factor for developing problem cannabis use. Though use rates have remained stable over recent years, about one in three 10th graders report marijuana use, most adolescents do not view the drug as harmful, and over 650,000 youth aged 12 to 17 struggle with cannabis use disorder. Summary:Although the health benefits of medical marijuana are becoming better understood, more research is needed. Intervention and prevention programs must better address effects of marijuana, acknowledging that while there may be some benefits medically, marijuana use can affect functioning during adolescence when the brain is still developing

Evaluative Case Study of a Summer Academy Program

The demands for technological workers have prompted a national effort to encourage all sectors of the population to consider careers in mathematics and science (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NCTM, 1989; NSF, 1988; Task Force, 1989). Yet students are not electing to enroll in science in school. One possible solution to increase interest in science is through summer programs. The Summer Academy in Plant Biology and Transgenics hosted by the Western Oklahoma State College, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is an intervention program in science for talented students and, in particular minorities and girls. This program is informed by the current research, employs a reformed curriculum and involves students working alongside practicing scientists in a highly interactive science experience and appears to have many positive aspects that enable it to reach its goals

Evaluative Case Study of a Summer Academy Program

The demands for technological workers have prompted a national effort to encourage all sectors of the population to consider careers in mathematics and science (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NCTM, 1989; NSF, 1988; Task Force, 1989). Yet students are not electing to enroll in science in school. One possible solution to increase interest in science is through summer programs. The Summer Academy in Plant Biology and Transgenics hosted by the Western Oklahoma State College, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is an intervention program in science for talented students and, in particular minorities and girls. This program is informed by the current research, employs a reformed curriculum and involves students working alongside practicing scientists in a highly interactive science experience and appears to have many positive aspects that enable it to reach its goals

Scottish leaders’ debates on Twitter: Sturgeon, Davidson, and ‘indyref2’ dominated proceedings

As the dust begins to settle on the 2017 General Election campaign, Graeme Baxter, Simon Burnett, John Isaacs, Iain MacLeod, Sarah Pedersen, and Elizabeth Tait reflect upon the Twitter response to the two televised Scottish leaders’ debates held in the lead-up to polling day

Demandas energéticas en el bailaor norteamericano profesional de flamenco.

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido examinar la capacidad aeróbica y anaeróbica de bailaores estadounidenses profesionales de flamenco, con el fin de conocer las necesidades energéticas de esta danza. La muestra estudiada estaba formada por 11 bailaores profesionales de flamenco de Albuquerque, Nuevo Méjico (4 hombres y 7 mujeres). Se han registrado 3 variables: la composición corporal, medida con un adipómetro calipers; el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max) estimado mediante el análisis de gases durante un test de esfuerzo progresivo; y la capacidad anaeróbica, calculada a través del test de Wingate. La edad media de los bailaores fue de 28.45 años (22-44 años) y el tiempo medio que llevaban participando en espectáculos flamencos era de 13.5 años (2-40 años). Respecto a la composición corporal, los participantes presentan datos de porcentaje de grasa corporal (GC) inferior a la media, tanto la muestra masculina, 9.96% GC (5,25-13,09% GC), como la femenina, 16.35% GC (12,96-20,17% GC). La media máxima de capacidad aeróbica fue de 51.63 mlO2•kg–1•min–1 para los hombres (40.7-59,5 mlO2•kg–1•min–1) y 38,78 mlO2•kg–1•min–1 para las mujeres (32.9-43,8 mlO2•kg–1•min–1), en ambos casos por encima de la media. La potencia máxima media registrada en el test de Wingate, fue de 16.2 W/kg (13.7-18.3 W/kg) y 11.3 W/kg (8.6 hasta 14.3 W/kg) para hombres y mujeres, respectivamente, con un índice de fatiga del 65.5% (62-74%) para los hombres y 56.1% (35.2-68.1%) para las mujeres. Estos resultados son superiores, casi en un 25 %, a otros datos publicados sobre deportistas que realizan actividades anaeróbicas. Por lo tanto, los bailaores de flamenco tienen una considerable potencia anaeróbica. Atendiendo en los resultados de este estudio, se sugiere que el entrenamiento de bailaores incluya componentes aeróbicos y anaeróbicos

Oncology trainee perceptions of the prior authorization process: A national survey

Purpose: The medical trainee perspective regarding the prior authorization process has not been previously assessed. Here we evaluate the perceptions of radiation and medical oncology trainees regarding the prior authorization process and its effect on their training and patient care. Methods and Materials: A 12-question, nonincentivized, electronic national survey of radiation and medical oncology trainees at all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited oncology programs was conducted. Participation, perspectives, and experiences with the prior authorization process were assessed by Likert scale, free response, and multiple response selection. Results: Between January and March of 2019, the survey was distributed to 1505 trainees at 76 institutions with responses from 174/616 radiation (28.2%) and 139/889 medical oncology trainees (15.6%). The majority (69.2%) reported participating in the prior authorization process (radiation: 78.2% vs medical: 57.6%; Conclusions: These data indicate that trainees in US oncology programs are active participants in the prior authorization process and report that prior authorization approvals negatively influence their medical training and the quality of patient care. Additional efforts to revise the insurance approval process are warranted