Analytical comparisons of American-European High School Life Science Education Systems and Methodology to Increase effective teaching and Intercultural Competence

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In collaboration with HSU's P.E.E.R.S program and Lausanne, Swizterland's HEP school of education. Three HSU students collaborated with three Swiss students in order to create a lesson for highschool aged students from scratch as well as teach the lesson in in the United States and Switzerland. Our goal was to increase learning retention of the subject through research of effective methods and pedagogical strategies which we then utilize to regularly change and improve our lesson. Another goal included intercultural awareness and creating relevance for the students in a collaborative way with our peers that would translate into the individual classrooms in relation to the specific class.

Analyzing Bloodstain Patterns using Animals’ Blood Versus Synthetic Alternatives

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Passive stains, transfer stains and projected/impact stains will be created with various tools and tested on multiple surfaces including: cotton, linen, and carpets. The components of the Bovine blood versus stage blood will be used for analysis and comparison. This research will help determine if synthetic blood provides an accurate representation for bloodstain pattern analysis in research. After all experimental work and calculations are complete, statistical analysis will be conducted to determine the statistical validity of using synthetic blood alternatives to analyze bloodstain patterns.

Analyzing Landslide Susceptibility in Monterey County, California Using MaxEnt

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Landslides are a destructive geological process that can destroy infrastructure, homes, and cause human fatalities. Over recent years there have been many damaging landslides along the California coast. Analyzing areas of high landslide risk potential can allow for preventative measures before the economic hardship of a massive repair or worst case scenario loss of life. This study aims to address the need of accurate predictive maps of landslide vulnerability in the Monterey County, CA. Weight of evidence based on prior landslides and selected triggering factors will be modeled within the MaxEnt software package to create landslide susceptibility maps.

Analyzing Resistance in Carbon Nanotube Networks

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

To inform the applicability of carbon nanotube networks for use as field-effect transistors or as biosensors, we have run computer simulations in order to characterize the electrical properties of these networks, and specifically, how the resistance of these networks changes with the metallicity, or the percentage of metallic to semiconducting carbon nanotubes. When running simulations over networks with varying metallicities, we find a trend where the resistance increases to a peak value then decreases.

Analyzing Trace Levels of Iron in Seawater: Expanding the Measurable Concentration Range

Brooke Stafford, Geology Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Seawater samples are to be measured for the iron concentration content. We measured standard samples to better understand what concentration ranges we could measure. We are currently working on optimizing the method to measure higher concentrations.

Analyzing Variation in Taphonomic Processes within Artificial Substrates

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This study aims increase understanding of the taphonomic processes associated with the decomposition of nonhuman mammalian remains (as a proxy for human remains) in human altered substrates. Most prior taphonomic research has been restricted to regional studies focusing on the decomposition in environments outside of direct human interaction. This study will focus on temperature, weight, and organic matter fluctuations between the various artificial substrates in the beginning and termination of the decomposition process in order to better understand the effects substrates have on taphonomic processes.

Anatidae Feeding Behavior During Different Tides in a Managed Marsh

Javier Vizcardo Vizcardo, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My research was focused on observing dabbling ducks at the Arcata Marsh, My question was if tide height was a significant factor in determining feeding behavior.

Ancient Costa Rican Incense Burners

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Ceramics and incense are used in cultures all around the world for ritual purposes. In Costa Rica, Potosi Variety ceramics used hollow jaguar and crocodile effigies to diffuse incense smoke as an offering. Potosi Variety vessels have not been subject to much research within the field of archaeology; throughout my project, I will be studying these vessels through experimental archaeology and ethnoarchaeology. In my recreation, I will be using similar materials, methods of ceramic shaping that are or have been used in Costa Rica, and photos of Potosi Variety vessels to inform my process. My methodology will then be compared and contrasted with other possible methods of production.

Angels Camp and The Rhetorical Power of Jumping Bullfrogs

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

My hometown of Angels Camp is a bit bullfrog crazy because the town has various statues, paintings, and plaques of bullfrogs all over the town. There is even an annual fair where people from all over the world compete to see how far their bullfrog can jump. My project would explore the use of the bullfrog as an important rhetorical artifact in Angels Camp as the reason the town has prospered very well. This will be done by taking a look at the history between the town and the bullfrog from the creation of the town, approving the bullfrog as a rhetorical artifact in 1928, and its continuous success today.

Annual Day of Caring - Leadership and Service

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Day of Caring provided me with an awesome opportunity to practice leadership in working for social change and serving the community around us. I was able to work to provide opportunities for a large number of students to give a Saturday in September to working in one of 16 different local organizations that are working hard to serve the Humboldt Community. Every year students provide wonderful feedback about their experience and it was one more opportunity to put what we learn about communities and service into action.