May 2, 2025
Reception & Presentations 2pm to 5pm
Cal Poly Humboldt Library
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Presenters & Abstracts: Search
REUSE- REDUCE-REMOVE
Cassandra Avila-Estrada
Geography Environmental Spatial Analysis
Undergraduate Student
Dulce K. Vallejo
Geography Environmental Spatial Analysis
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Buying a new water bottle seems easier for some, but harder for our planet. The use of plastic is a global issue and should be concerning. We partnered up with Zero Waste Humboldt (ZWH), a nonprofit organization, to assist in their Refill-not-Landfill Network Project, which is a project that has saved over 100,000 water bottles from the landfill. We assisted in this project by updating their website with an updated map of the 10 water refilling stations that were donated by them through a federal grant. We are presenting at IdeaFest so community members can gain an awareness and interest in being conscious about waste production and mindful about single-use plastic bottles.
Mesocarnivore Responses to Visual Lures In Freshwater, California
Adeline
Tealle
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
This study sought to understand the effects of a visual lure on mesocarnivores at camera trapping stations. By fashioning a lure from fur, feathers, and tinsel, I placed the lure in front of 5 randomized cameras along with 5 cameras with no lure. The cameras were placed along a 150 meter long transect on an active game trail in Freshwater, CA. 9 species of mesocarnivore were detected, and 5 species with larger sample sizes were included in analysis of interest towards the lure, time spent at camera stations, and relationships between species in response to the lure.
Precision Measurement of the Universal Gravitotional Constant
Frederick
Kuster-Tabares
Physics & Astronomy
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
In cooperation with Indiana University (formerly IUPUI), the Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) Gravity Lab is undertaking a project to more accurately measure the value of the Universal Gravitational Constant in terms of SI base units. Gravitational modifications to the torque on the pendulum will be obtained via two methods through sequential experiments with a common apparatus, with the goal to provide a window into the cause of previous discrepancies between the two methods of measurement, resulting in a more accurate determined value for G.
Wellness and Sustainability Handbook for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Holistic Approach to Best Practices for TBI Recovery
Chelsey Chadwell
Social Work
Graduate Student
College of Professional Studies
The purpose of this project is to design a wellness handbook with tools and resources that assist persons with TBI to reduce stress and increase personal wellness.The wellness handbook provides tools for clients who use Making Headway Center Services. The Making Headway Center offers specialized programs to people who have brain injuries.The handbook will focus on wellness strategies such as what is wellness, eating healthy, staying active, healthcare, stress reduction and relaxation techniques. After the handbook is revised based on the evaluations, handbooks will be printed and I will hold an orientation to the handbook for Making Headway Center staff and clients.
Northcoast Environmental Center
nick rasmussen
environmental studies
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Social Media platform assistant. Taking photos of local landscapes around Humboldt County as well as events and strategically placing them onto the organization's social media platforms.
Building Support for Study Abroad at HSU
Samuel Lipiec
International Studies
Undergraduate Student
Ileanna Spoelstra
Political Science
Undergraduate Student
Dr. Alison Holmes
International Studies
Faculty
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
This project will investigate the current support mechanisms for students intending to study abroad and how HSU could both better prepare students for their experience and help re-acclimatize them on their return. This work would involve interviews with those working with students as faculty and staff as well as student interviews about what they would find valuable in terms of support. The aim for this work would be a set of practical proposals for the marketing and outreach to encourage more students to study abroad as well as more aware pre-departure preparation and return programming.
Peers Offering Wisdom Education and Respect (P.O.W.E.R.)
Alita Redner
Social Work
Graduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Rapid Cycle Evaluation of the Peers Offering Wisdom Education and Respect (P.O.W.E.R.) program. P.O.W.E.R. is a living community curriculum that provides culturally competent group-based behavioral health counseling services to Indigenous Youth ages 13-17 years old. This project was guided by Indigenous Research Methodology including spirit-based research amidst the Pandemic of 2020. Theoretical references including systems theory and relational theory influenced this research. Research concluded an emphasis on evaluating the presentation of the curriculum to guide youth awareness of identity and process of trauma healing through ceremony, reflection, and belonging activities.
Sorrel Leaf Healing Center Mental Health 101 Training and Coping Skills Toolbox
Ashly
Kloiber
Social Work
Graduate Student
College of Professional Studies
This project consisted of two deliverables. The first is a digital Canva presentation that will educate Sorrel Leaf Healing Center non-clinical staff on the basic neuroscience behind trauma and how trauma connects to behavior and diagnosis, in addition to addressing cultural considerations and incorporating mental health first aid concepts. The second deliverable is a toolbox that provides coping skills interventions for staff to use with residents that assist with co-regulation.
The Effect of Prescribed Fire in Northern California Dune Habitat for Avian Species
Cameron
Morgan
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
The objective of my study is to determine relative abundance and species diversity of avian species in dune habitat by comparing point counts conducted in burned sections of prescribed fires that were either treated or untreated with herbicides prior to application of fire compared to unburned areas of invasive beach grass or native dune mat. The prescribed fire event was conducted last fall in Loleta's Ocean Ranch Unit, and I am seeking to inform CDFW and Cal Fire on the potential effects of the burn on birds, with the goal of restoring our dunes to habitat with native vegetation.
The Choctaw Tribe and the Nanih Waiya
Marlie Brine
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
The land feature known as the Nanih Waiya mound is central to the religious beliefs and cultural identity of the Choctaw Tribe of Native Americans. The function and creation of this mound differs depending upon the perspective of the Choctaw Tribal divisions, but it is mostly classified as a human-made earthwork that dates back to the Middle Woodland period (c. 0-300 CE) with naturally occurring features. Choctaw tribal members were separated from their original land and the Nanih Waiya after European contact and forced evacuations which began with the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The mound is present in most Choctaw origin stories and is a source of identity and community for the Tribe.