Restoration and Medicinal Plants: Ending the Negligence Towards Ethnobotany and TEK

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our project focuses on the importance of ethnobotany with an emphasis on restoration and medicinal plant properties. Ethnobotanical studies fixated on traditional ecological knowledge have long been disregarded by western science; however, this information is crucial for the restoration of the environment, advancement of medicines, and cultural revival of the Native people. Due to colonization and westernization, the continuation of knowledge throughout generations along with the vast ecosystems that once thrived has depleted. Conversely, through the expansion and shared education on plants and restoration processes long known by Natives, the gap between western science and TEK will degrade.

Rethinking Community in Westside Eureka: The Jefferson Project

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

From our time at the Jefferson Center we have been exposed to a new form of community. The Jefferson Project located on the Westside of Eureka is an inclusive space that allows for numerous activities, workshops, events, after school child care, and volunteering. This location has transformed from an abandoned elementary school to a “clean, safe neighborhood dedicated to combatting urban blight” and revitalizing the local environment by fostering a sense community. Our experience at the center has allowed us to expand our academic lenses to applicable social justice scenarios.

Reusables for Waste Prevention

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Seeking to address zero waste and upstream waste reduction by increasing awareness, and providing access to reusable cloth produce bags made from donated and upcycled materials. By volunteering time to handcraft bags and distribute them at farmer's market, engaging shoppers and vendors to collect and disseminate information regarding our relationship to waste. With the support of the North Coast Grower's Association, I hope to reach a better understanding of what we can do as a community to reduce our dependence on single use plastics.

REUSE- REDUCE-REMOVE

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.

Revisiting the Five Finger Discount: Shoplifting as a Reproductive Strategy

Shairy Jimenez Delgado, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Using social media to conduct human ethological research, this study seeks to replicate previous findings that online shoplifting displays are motivated by reproductive strategies to increase mate value. It involves the analysis of 150 Tumblr posts showcasing stolen items, which together feature 1,744 identifiable items. Items with the intended use of improving attraction by enhancing physical appearance, scent, or sexual allure include: personal care items, makeup, cosmetic applicators, and jewelry were categorized as mating relevant. The results of this study replicate previous work by showing a significant difference between mating relevant and non-mating relevant items.

Rhetorical Genre Theory and Whiteness

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Whiteness is the foundation on which academia is built. It shapes the institutions and methods of knowledge making that form what we call education. If we hope to make radical, meaningful change to our systems of learning and knowledge, a critical step will be decentering whiteness. This project uses the work of James Baldwin to conceptualize whiteness and examines rhetorical genre theory as an example of the ways academia's systems of knowledge making are based in the assumptions of whiteness.

Rise of the Machines: The Effects of Autonomous Cars on Highway Efficiency

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

We looked at a possible macroscopic model, the LWR model, but ultimately turned to a microscopic model, the IDM. Here, autonomous vehicles were incorporated,and a Matlab simulation was run. Simulation results along with existing research was analyzed,and differing traffic densities, lane changing, and heterogeneous traffic were then taken into account which resulted in an analysis of the MOBIL model. Finally, using traffic networking schemes, and analysis of available data, a unique model was proposed, with talk of expected results and implementation on the greater Seattle Area. Existing data suggests that these added vehicles will ease traffic congestion and increase road capacity.

Risk of Concussion Based on Position in Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Soccer

Devin Hauenstein, School of Applied Health Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Identification of correlations between rates of concussion and soccer positions played will lead to improved safety protocols and athlete health. Improvements can be identified by understanding the minutes played per position as fatigue is a risk factor for obtaining a concussion, in training or in game conditions by men and women soccer players. PURPOSE: To determine whether a correlation exists between minutes of soccer played, soccer position played, and the incidence of concussion among men and women collegiate soccer players.

River Otter Citizen Science Project

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

River otter sightings from watercourses and coastlines in Humboldt, Del Norte, and adjacent counties are sought by citizens in order for population status to be assessed and monitored. The project is run by Professor Jeff Black and students of Humboldt State University's Wildlife Department.

Road to the Registry

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

My project describes the work put into nominating the Arcata Plaza to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a research based project which highlights the cultural importance of Plaza as it has hosted many large events over the course of its history.