The Irishman and His Whiskey

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The artifact of alcoholic beverages contains a profoundly vast array of facets to articulate. This paper aims to make the critical interventions necessary to realize the manifestations of alcohol use and its interpretations, in terms of identity, occur because of historic contexts embedded in our culture. By examining the symbolism and stereotypes of the Irish immigrant in America, the identity struggles and ideologies surrounding alcohol can be understood through the rhetoric of social groups.

The Jefferson Community Center Fight Against Food Insecurity in Humboldt County

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Communities in poverty often lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Resources such as community gardens and health education have the ability to inspire and transform the lives of those involved. The Jefferson Community Center provide these resources to the public, bringing back environmental sustainability and justice. The lack of food security in the community shows the need of community building and access to fresh produce. My poster reflects my experiences at the Jefferson Community Center and how they are contributing to the public in important and positive ways.

The Jefferson Project

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Volunteers with Eureka's Westside Community Improvement Association transformed what was once Jefferson Elementary school, into the now Jefferson Community Center. The building itself is used as a place to hold meetings and recreational activities. Moreover, the center is dedicated to helping youth in the community by providing a safe, reliable place to learn and explore. Two projects that we have been volunteering for as Child Development students are the SEEDs project, and the Imagination playground. These projects provide the children with access to: homework help, a community garden, cooking classes, nutritious meals, educational exploration, and lots of FUN!

The JNK/c-Jun Pathway Regulates Potency and OCT4 Expression in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study examines a role for the JNK/c-Jun pathway in stem cell potency, differentiation, and Oct4 expression. Oct 4 is a transcription factor known to regulate genes involved in embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal, pluripotency, and differentiation. cJun is a protein that regulates genes responsible for cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Its transcriptional activity is regulated in part by its activator, JUN amino-terminal kinase (JNK). In this study we modulated JNK/cJun signaling in murine embryonic stem cells through both chemical modulation of the JNK pathway and transient transfection of vectors expressing GFP cJUN, GFP L40/42A, GFP cJun R54A or GFP alone.

The Junior Monitors Project

Taevia Salazar , Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

The Junior Monitor project aimed to promote social and emotional learning and peer conflict resolution at Alice Birney Elementary and Lafayette Elementary through the implementation of an eight-week curriculum consisting of once-weekly 30-minute group sessions. The curriculum was designed in collaboration with my project partner, community partner, and school principals. It was focused on using restorative justice practices, relational accountability, and peer mentoring to address conflict on the playground.

The Kids Will Be Alright: Addressing Teens’ Needs for Connection After Covid Isolation

Megan McCullough, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

At Sunset High in Del Norte, I created and implemented several curriculums held as master class “skillshops.” The topics ranged from self-care to media literacy to healthy relationships. I used a mindfulness and Polyvagal/somatic approach, while being multicultural, anti-racist, critically and resourcefully informed. The skillshops were oriented through an alliance with the students, and relied primarily on established relationships and rapport with the students. Students left the skillshops with a deeper sense of understanding the gifts within themselves, along with a more critical, embodied, and curious way of interacting with the world around them.

The Lasting Effect of Single-Use

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our poster displays the research and analysis we did regarding the impact of single use plastics on the environment and future projections of how lowering our usage of single-use plastics can help slow climate change. We originally did this project for the CoMap International Mathematical Modeling Competition.

The Lumber Games

Skye Maclachlan, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

My capstone project as a recreation administration student is the creation of The Lumber Games event. The Lumber Games is a fun and exciting event for student of Cal Poly Humboldt. This free event includes a mobile ax throwing truck, pizza, yard games, board games, and a raffle. Participates are able to win raffle tickets by participating in the variety of recreational activities offered. The goals of my project include providing inclusive recreational opportunities to students, making this a recurring event hosted by The Recreation Club of Cal Poly Humboldt, and furthering my professional development as an event producer.

The Lyre: An Ancient Symbol of Power?

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Music is a phenomenon that transcends cultural boundaries and primordial origins. At the Anglo-Saxon archaeological site of Sutton Hoo, a seventh century lyre was unearthed in a lavish royal burial. Utilizing literature analysis and experimental archaeology to recreate a seventh century lyre, this study explored the relationship between social stratification and art, implementing a cultural materialist theoretical framework. Research indicates the labor required to create a lyre would limit the market to wealthy individuals. This work serves to expand the understanding of hierarchical institutions in ancient England and how social stratification affected access to art.

The Manufacture and Cultural Use of Clay Whistles in Ancient Mesoamerica

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The function and use of small clay whistles in Mesoamerica has been debated in the archaeological record and theories for their use include ritual practice and imitations of animal vocalizations. In this experimental archaeology project I wish to recreate ancient Mayan whistles, more specifically the style of whistle located in Copan and the imported moulds from sites located in current day Honduras. The whistles themselves can take the form of a variety of figures that could include animals, individuals, and deities. I want to establish a better understanding of the amount of time, resources, and skill needed to manufacture clay whistles and how they were then distributed or traded.