An investigation into: what are the factors that teachers in four primary academy coastal schools in South-East England identified as influential in the development of their respective school's curriculum

The aim of this research was to explore the process of how four primary academy coastal schools in South-East England reviewed their curricula following the implementation of the National Curriculum (2013) for England. The respective sample schools did not have to adopt the National Curriculum (2013) because of their academy status (DfE, 2013). However, in the process of their curriculum review and subsequent curriculum development, they had to ensure that their core curriculum aligned with the government’s increased expectations of pupils’ knowledge by the end of Key Stage 1 and 2 as set out in the National Curriculum (2013). This qualitative research was conducted using an interpretivist paradigm. The empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with four class teachers (participants). Each teacher had responsibility for subject leadership in their respective primary academy coastal school. The data (gathered from participant interviews) shows three key findings relating to teachers’ perceptions of factors that would influence the curriculum development process and, as such, impact the quality of the developed curriculum in the four primary academy coastal schools. The first key finding that emerged from teachers’ perceptions in all four primary academy coastal schools was that the school’s context/profile influenced their curriculum development process. This factor would need to be taken into account if their school’s curriculum was to provide pupils with the learning opportunities and experiences, they would need in order to prepare them for the next phase of education and life in general. The second key finding that emerged from this research was that teachers identified both internal and external factors beyond the school’s context/profile that influenced the curriculum development process in their schools. This determined their approach and influenced their thinking throughout the curriculum development process. They also highlighted the need for teacher training in curriculum development. The third key finding that emerged from teachers’ perception of the factors that influence curriculum development in their schools, was the importance of school leaders affording teachers’ autonomy in the process. Due to the autonomy given to academies in the development of their school’s curriculum, teachers are becoming increasingly pivotal to its success. This research has made a substantial contribution to the limited body of knowledge in existence about the process of curriculum development in primary academy coastal schools. It has provided valuable information about curriculum development and has shed light on an under-researched element of an ever-changing educational landscape

Idaho’s Food & Beverage Service: Creating Meaning in an Unstable Industry Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

The contents of this cumulative educational project will highlight some of the major ongoing systemic problems within the service industry in right-to-work states like Idaho using my own company (a locally owned small business) as a case study. It will also highlight some major concerns of workers within my company specifically regarding employee benefits, compensation, health risks, and wellbeing of workers, and some of the steps my company is currently taking or has taken recently to address those concerns. Additionally, it will explain the methodology, process, and results of an event that I organized in partnership with my company’s management team that was inspired by my research on service industry employee health in particular in an attempt to build morale amongst my peers and make a positive impact

Experimental investigation of crossflow jet mixing in a rectangular duct

An experimental investigation of the mixing of nonreacting opposed rows of jets injected normal to a confined rectangular crossflow has been conducted. Planar Mie-scattering was used to measure the time-average concentration distribution of the jet fluid in planes perpendicular to the duct axis. The mixing effectiveness of round orifice injectors was measured as a function of orifice spacing and orifice diameter. Mixing effectiveness was determined using a spatial unmixedness parameter based on the variance of mean jet concentration distributions. Optimum mixing was obtained when the spacing-to-duct height ratio was inversely proportional to the square root of the jet-to-mainstream momentum-flux ratio. For opposed rows of round holes with centerlines inline, mixing was similar for blockages up to 75 percent. Lower levels of unmixedness were obtained as a function of downstream location when axial injection length was minimized. Mixing may be enhanced if orifice centerlines of opposed rows are staggered, but note that blockage must be less than 50 percent for this configuration

Experimental Study of Cross-Stream Mixing in a Rectangular Duct

An experimental investigation of non-reacting cross-stream jet injection and mixing in a rectangular duct was conducted for application in a low emissions combustor. Planar digital imaging was used to measure concentration distributions in planes perpendicular to the duct axis. Mixing rate was measured for 45 deg slanted slot and round orifice injectors. Five areas of inquiry are discussed: (1) mixing improves continuously with increasing momentum-flux ratio; (2) given a momentum-flux ratio, there is an optimum, orifice spacing; (3) mixing is more dependent on injector geometry than mass flow ratio; (4) mixing is influenced by relative slot orientation; and (5) jet structure is different for round holes and slanted slots injectors. The utility of acquiring multipoint fluctuating properties of the flow field is also demonstrated

Experimental study of cross-stream mixing in a cylindrical duct

An experimental investigation of cross stream injection and mixing was conducted with application to a low NO sub x combustor for the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). Mixing in a cylindrical chamber was studied for transverse injection from slanted slot and round orifice injectors. Momentum ratio, density ratio, and number were studied. Quantitative measurement of injectant concentration distributions were obtained by planar digital imaging of the Mie scattered light from an aerosol seed uniformly mixed with the injectant. The unmixedness, defined as the ratio of the r.m.s. concentration fluctuation to mean concentration in a plane perpendicular to the main flow direction, was found to be primarily a function of momentum ratio and injector spacing. An optimum spacing is indicated. Unmixedness is also a function of orifice size, or mass flow ratio, but the mass flow dependence can be accounted for by normalizing the unmixedness with its maximum theoretical value. The data indicate that a density ratio greater than unity retards mixing. It was found that above a certain momentum flux ratio, mixing with slanted slot injectors was better than with round hole injectors

“I Wouldn’t Want to Be a Gender Expert:” Gender Experts in Peace Mediation

Peace mediation is a professional practice that is increasingly reliant on thematic technical experts, including gender experts. The strategy of including gender expertise in peace mediation reflects the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the call to include dedicated gender expertise in all peacemaking efforts. Based on interviews with peace mediation practitioners, the article analyzes the role of gender experts in peace mediation. We argue that there is a tension between the art of mediation and the art of gender expertise that reflects the gendered power dynamics of peace mediation. We conclude that the strategy of appointing gender experts to peace mediation teams will not “dismantle the master’s house.” However, we acknowledge that without a gender expert very little will be accomplished on this issue. For peace mediation to address the gendered foundations of conflict we argue for the development of an alternate feminist peace mediation practice