May 2, 2025
Reception & Presentations 2pm to 5pm
Cal Poly Humboldt Library
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Providing Wheelchair Access to the Beach
Francesca Watts
Environmental Studies
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Providing further accessibility to handicapped individuals, I have teamed up with Friends of the Dunes to widen the Wildberries trail, from the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center in Manila out to the beach, for wheelchair use. Currently there are no other trails in which leave from the Nature Center that are wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through. There currently is a wheelchair at the Nature Center in which is designed to be pushed through the sand, but no trail to easily take it on. The dunes are for everyone in the community to cherish and access should therefore be given to all; which is why I am using my experience of trail construction to provide that experience to all who wish.
The Brain Booth Initiative: Recent Trends in Mindfulness and Contemplative Pedagogy in High School and University
Amelia Towse
Environmental Science and Management
Undergraduate Student
Library
“The Brain Booth Initiative: Recent Trends in Mindfulness and Contemplative Pedagogy in High School and University” examines the relationship between mindfulness and stress reduction to optimize learning in both high school and university settings. It outlines the most common trends based on a systematic review of articles from the past eight years. The majority of the studies use a self-reporting approach and show that mindfulness training reduces overall stress. The main limitation for most studies is small sample sizes due to voluntary involvement. The presentation then describes how the HSU Brain Booth is applying this research as they teach mindfulness and contemplative pedagogy.
The struggle for a K -21 Education
Marisol Ruiz
Education
Faculty
College of Professional Studies
The demographics of K-12 public schools in CA have changed dramatically since the 1980s today students of color make up 75% of the student body. Since 1980 the number of White students in the CSU has gone from 70% to just 26.5% in 2015. Ever since the 1980s we have seen a divestment in K-12 and in the CSU. This research will not only describe the crisis in k-12 and higher education schooling but also create the changes needed for a sustainable future. This qualitative study proposes a paradigm shift of INVESTMENT- social justice, multilingualism, learner centered, nepantla, ethnic studies, African Indigenous knowledge, and sentipensante pedagogy in order for all our students to succeed.
Determining Magma Mixing Duration and Dynamics Through Analysis of Reaction Rims on Olivine Crystals in Natural Samples of Black Dacite From the 1915 Eruption of Lassen Peak, CA
Nathan A. Graham
Department of Geology
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Disequilibrium reaction rim textures on olivine grains from black dacite from the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak were measured and coupled with experimental reaction rim growth rates to estimate the duration of magma mixing that took place prior to the 1915 eruption. Reaction rims on 100 olivine grains were measured and the duration of magma mixing prior to the 1915 eruption was estimated to be between 12-17 months. The abundance of reaction rim growth varies during the duration of magma mixing and is evidence that the eruption of Lassen Peak was catalyzed by multiple injections of hot basaltic andesite into a relatively cool and mushy dacitic reservoir magma chamber prior to eruption.
Exploring Public Engagement with the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary as a Third Place
Emry
Yount
Department of Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
This project examines how the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arcata, CA, serves as a "third place" for the local community. A "third place" refers to social spaces where people gather outside their homes and workplaces, fostering community interaction and well-being. This study uses semi-structured interviews and observational surveys to assess who uses the Marsh and how the site facilitates this role. The free, outdoor nature of the sanctuary makes it particularly accessible to a wide range of individuals, encouraging community engagement. The project highlights the significance of the Arcata Marsh as a welcoming, open space where people connect, relax, and engage in recreation.
Preservation of Diatoms Around the January 26, 1700 Earthquake Event, using Core Sample MD.14.03B collected at McDaniel Slough, North Humboldt Bay, Arcata
Gwynn Neilson
Geology
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Core MD1403B contains a salt marsh soil layer between mudflat material, which was caused by subsidence produced by the 1700 earthquake. Three samples were taken from the core to look at the preservation of the diatoms from each sample and compared to one another to determine if the 1700 earthquake caused a large enough subsidence to produce high velocity water to flow into the area. The samples were examined at using the secondary electron(SE) feature of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Increased occurrence of damaged cells supports the conclusion that there was a fluctuation in water levels that produced a high velocity flow of water.
The Sound of Coastal Grove
Jaelyn
Flores
College Corp
Undergraduate Student
Makena
Martin
College Corp
Undergraduate Student
Gia
Gruenhagen
College Corp
Undergraduate Student
Heather
Geralde
College Corp
Undergraduate Student
Other
For our creative project, the Coastal Grove Charter School fellows presented a 2025 Pitchfest proposal in collaboration with Coastal Grove, the Cal Poly Humboldt Music Department, and the broader school community. Our pitch aimed to support a more equitable and engaging learning environment for students in the music program. We proposed acquiring additional classroom supplies, organizing a dedicated classroom setup day, and fostering community involvement to help shape the future of music education at the school. The Coastal Grove staff and administration expressed deep gratitude for our support, noting how these efforts meaningfully enhance the music program and benefit the community.
On to the Future! for Renewable Energy in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas
Amanda Hemingway
Mathematics
Undergraduate Student
Briana Ramirez
Mathematics
Undergraduate Student
Jaime Sanchez
Mathematics
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
The data analysis MCM problem asked us to create energy profiles and to understand trends and important variables in order to make future goals for the states Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico. We made statistical models for each state to understand trends, as well as to help in the predictions for energy usage in 1925 and 1950. A ranking of each profile was instituted based on an analysis of the given data. Using both the models and the profiles, goals were set for all the states to make together in an Energy Compact to increase renewable energy production and consumption. This was all compiled into a memo for the state's governors.
Agent-based Modeling of Microglia Behavior in the Context of Alzheimer's Disease
Emmanuel
Mezzulo
Mathematics
Undergraduate Student
Cheyenne
Ty
Mathematics
Undergraduate Student
Amanda
Case
Mathematics
Undergraduate Student
Abigail
Penland
Mathematics
Undergraduate Student
Kamila
Larripa
Mathematics
Faculty
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Our research investigates the role of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), in the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) using an agent-based model (ABM). Microglia cells, which typically act almost as neuronal guardians in the CNS can, under certain conditions, inadvertently contribute to AD progression if they become dysfunctional. By simulating microglia, neurons, and their interactions with signaling proteins, our ABM sheds light on the complex dynamics underlying the progression of AD, and has a the potential to inform therapeutic targets in AD treatment down the line.
How Does the Klamath Dam Effect Salmonid Species and Surrounding Indigenous Tribes?
Charles Ricci
Fisheries Biology
Undergraduate Student
Nolan Santala
fisheries biology
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Since the removal of the Klamath dams is such a current topic in today's society, we thought that it would be a great topic to research. The Klamath dams have since been an eyesore and a serious problem for organisms in the Pacific Northwest. Salmonid species cannot make their runs, water temperature increases, and Nitrogen blooms can occur with dams in place . These physical barriers, the Klamath dams, are not only a problem concerning the health of the salmon and other organisms, but the Indigenous tribes who live on these Pacific Northwest rivers as well. Their culture and way of life has become disrupted due to the lack of available salmon.