Discovery Day symposium - Program of Events April 11, 2018 - Benedictine College
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Discovery Day
Symposium
Program of Events
April 11, 2018
SDZ DZ
bnmWelcome
, .Q to Discovery Day 2018 n m , .Q
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Thank you so much to all who contributed their time and effort
to make the critical difference for the success of the Discovery
rty Program, a key component of the Benedictine College
ty
experience.
Every spring semester, the anticipation builds: What have our
students come up with this year? It is impossible to attend
Discovery Day and not be proud of what Benedictine College
is accomplishing in the lives of our students.
The true test for any academic program here is the mission
of Benedictine College. The collaboration with faculty in a
common academic project is the key to the Discovery Program,
and essential to our mission to educate men and women within
a community of faith and scholarship.
rI invitet y
the entire College communityy t
to join me in supporting
Discovery Day.
d f President
g Stephen hD. Minnis
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Discovery Day 2018 marks the twenty-third year of the Discovery
x c Day
v Symposium.
b n m Since
q 1996,
w more than 2800
w students
q mhaven presented
b v c
or co-authored a Discovery Project, involving virtually all the
faculty and representing all academic departments. Discovery Day
p 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 5 4 3 2 1
2018 will present 82 projects, the result of the work of 188 students,
52 faculty/staff, and 21 academic departments. The Discovery
Committee invites you to join in recognizing our students for their
G H J K L Z X X Z L K J H
creative efforts being showcased today.
e r t y u i i u y t rSDZ DZ
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Discovery Week is always the highlight of our academic year. For
months (or, in some cases, years) students and faculty have worked
rtytogether to find out something new about the world. Now they are
ty
ready to share their findings, and we all have a chance to learn
something that no one ever knew before their project was under-
taken. We are so proud, at Benedictine College, that we offer all
of our students the opportunity not only to learn what others have
discovered in the past, but also to add to what people will know in
the future. Discovery Day gives us all the opportunity to see the
fruits of this work.
The Discovery Program is an integral part of Benedictine College,
and its benefits go far beyond the results of the projects you will
see during this symposium. Original research fosters and strength-
ens the curiosity and love of learning that are the foundation of a
liberal arts education. Collaborative work develops the bonds of
community among students and faculty that make Benedictine such
a special place.
Through our commitment to developing students’ confidence in
their ability to make an original contribution to our understanding
of the world and how it works, we are preparing leaders who will
know they can draw on their knowledge and creativity to face the
challenges that await the future.
On behalf of the faculty and administration of Benedictine College,
I encourage you to participate fully in the activities of this day.
Special thanks are in order for the Discovery Program Committee
and the Discovery Directors: their efforts throughout the year have
rty yt
culminated in this unique and exciting academic experience.
Kimberly C. Shankman
Dean of the College
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2
SDZ ZDThe Discovery Program Committee
The Discovery Program Committee is committed to the advancement of
Discovery learning at Benedictine College. The committee’s responsibilities
include encouraging and supporting faculty and students in their own Discovery
activities, the awarding of Discovery grants, planning the Discovery Day
Symposium, and designating the Discovery Scholars. Members of the committee
for the current year are Ruth Krusemark (Music), Ryan Maderak (Physics and
Astronomy), Bryan Park (Art), Virginia Winder (Biology), and Terrence Malloy
and Julia Bowen (Discovery Program Co-Directors).
Discovery Grants
The Discovery Program committee awarded over $14,450 in Discovery grants to
students this year in support of 37 Discovery projects. The 2017–2018 Discovery
grant recipients are the following:
Eden Anderson Anna Huber Maryrose Pokorny
Will Argana Anna Jacobs Ayden Pugh
Michael Baltuska Matthew Jarecki Gregory Reising
Brittany Bosarge Matthew Johll Katherine Rich
Lindsey Bottom Kayla Johnson Marie Rioux
Madison Bowser Catherine Kistler Jenna Rudolph
Matthew Branch Michael Klein Kelsey Runge
Michaela Bretey Elizabeth Lademan Michael Salemi
Nicholas Brose Maria Lanciotti Karina Scheller
Adam Burke Adam Landry Anna Schreffler
Brett Burke Katherine Lang Kelly Schuck
Victoria Caranna Gabriel LeBeau Elizabeth Schuetz
Katharine Caughron Jessica Linton Jude Severson
Rachel Clark Monica Loesel Rachel Shaver
Jacob Cushing Shelly Loosbrock Kasandra Short
Michael D’Arcangelis Joseph Marak Natalie Smaron
Michaela Dreiling Kristina Martell Sarah Starrs
Thomas Dzurik Rita Maslanka JohnPaul Stedwill
George Emrich Victoria Masucci Madeline Stella
Lane Fry Matlin McFarren Brandi Strand
Daniela Garcia-Perez Rachel Medara Nathaniel Strandquist
William Giesen Isaac Meyer Benjamin Suhr
Alejandro Gomez Andrew Miller Joshua Sullivan
Madilyn Gothard Alissa Muggli Matthew Swoboda
Ann Marie Guernsey Naomi Muggli Justin Tran
Daniel Hayes Payton Murphy Hannah Voss
Rebecca Hess Maryclaire Muskett John Waters
Christopher Hilger Anthony Olimpio Melody Wiklund
Katharine Hirl Christopher Palm Rosalie Wilkerson
Conrad Hoover Eva Pecha Catherine Wittig
Mark Horton MaryBridget Pecha Sydney Wolf
Joseph Hrenchir Kolbe Poarch John Wostenberg
3Discovery Scholars
Last year marked the fifteenth year that students were honored as Discovery
Scholars. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated an outstanding
commitment to Discovery learning while at Benedictine College. Awardees
receive the Discovery Scholar Medal to be worn during Commencement
ceremonies, signifying their exceptional contribution to the Discovery Program.
In 2017, these seniors were honored as Discovery Scholars:
Kira Alexander ..................................................... Lawrence, KS
Matthew Anderson ............................................... Omaha, NE
Callie Baumberger ............................................... Colton, SD
Natalie Cook ........................................................ Adrian, MN
Bienvenido Cortes ................................................ Pittsburg, KS
Brian Curran ......................................................... St. Louis, MO
Hunter Eisenmenger ............................................. Norfolk, NE
Alexandra Faraj-Musleh....................................... Ann Arbor, MI
Andreas Fritz ........................................................ Ripley, TN
Galen Gossman .................................................... Shawnee, KS
Shannon Groe ....................................................... Littleton, CO
Ruth Gross ........................................................... St. Paul, MN
Anna Hagenkord .................................................. Olathe, KS
Rachel Hernandez ................................................ Colorado Springs, CO
Elise Huntley ........................................................ Wilmington, VT
Kristen Hylen ....................................................... Highlands Ranch, CO
Krista Kosek ......................................................... Ann Arbor, MI
Graham Matlock................................................... Delafield, WI
Claudia O’Connell ............................................... Bryan, TX
Courtney Parker ................................................... Lawrence, KS
Susan Pistek ......................................................... Garner, IA
Alexandria Schneider ........................................... Nortonville, KS
Aidan Shaughnessy .............................................. Cimarron, KS
Rachel Snyder ...................................................... Front Royal, VA
Laura Tibbs .......................................................... Alden, IA
Hannah Vogt ......................................................... Blooming Prairie, MN
Miriam Walski ...................................................... Crookston, MN
J
4Wangari Maathai Discovery Award
When Wangari Maathai accepted the Nobel Peace
Prize in 2004, she made her alma mater the only
Catholic college in America with a Peace Prize
winner among its alumni. She won the Nobel for her
efforts to promote democracy, peace, and sustainable
development and is the first Peace Prize winner to
have an environmental focus. Maathai, from Kenya,
came to the United States as part of the Kennedy Air-
lift in 1960 and earned a degree in biology from Mount St. Scholastica College,
now Benedictine College, in 1964. In 2014 the college marked the 10th Anni-
versary of the Nobel ceremony by announcing the winners of two new Maathai
Discovery Awards.
Maathai passed away in 2011 after battling cancer. Since then, the College has
remembered her in several ways. Her classmates from the Mount Class of ’64
planted a tree in St. Scholastica Plaza on the college campus, and in 2015 her
statue was erected next to that tree. In 2014 Sister Helen Mueting, OSB,
announced the first recipients of the awards, funded by a generous donor.
This year’s winners of the Maathai Discovery Awards are Marie Rioux, Michael
Salemi, and Hannah Voss. All three students are presenting the results of their
research during today’s Discovery Symposium.
Rioux worked on a project called “Green Energy, Pink Plastic, and Quantum
Dots: Solar Energy Harvesting Through Luminescent Solar Concentrators.”
Luminescent solar concentrators are promising tools that allow the harvest and
transmission of solar energy using nanosized quantum dots. This project aims
to improve the efficiency of the processes used to produce luminescent solar
concentrators as well as the capacity of the material to capture solar energy once
it is produced.
Salemi worked on a project called “Exploration of Nickel Complexes for the
Catalytic Production of Acetaldehyde From Ethanol.” This project aims to
synthesize several nickel complexes that could act as low-cost alternatives to the
metals currently used to produce acetaldehyde from ethanol. Acetaldehyde is used
in the production of many common pharmaceuticals and disinfectants. Increasing
the feasibility of producing acetaldehyde from a green carbon source (ethanol)
could reduce the carbon footprint of these chemical processes.
Voss worked on a project called “Period. Full Stop.” This project explores
the impact of the misunderstanding and stigma of menstruation in developing
countries, particularly African communities, and how these factors bar women
from education and other avenues of self-advancement and equality.
Each Maathai Discovery Award carries a $500 stipend for the student, and up
to an additional $500 to complete the proposed Discovery Project. The award
supports projects that focus on stewardship, sustainability, women’s equality, and/
or environmental justice.
5Keynote Address
Dr. Michael Dolski
Historian, Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency
“Augmented Capabilities:
Searching for Missing Individuals
in a Team Environment”
1:00–2:20 pm, O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium
Michael Dolski earned a BA in history from The Ohio State University in
2000. In 2004, he graduated from American Military University with an MA in
Intelligence Studies. At that time, Dr. Dolski was employed as a declassification
analyst on a contract for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. As part of his
work duties, he deployed to Iraq twice in 2004 to help preserve, protect, and
process for potential declassification U.S. documents. He earned a Ph.D. from
Temple University in 2012. His focus area was American military history and
particularly that of the twentieth century. His dissertation, “‘To Set Free a
Suffering Humanity’: D-Day and American Remembrance,” explored American
public remembrance of the Normandy landings in Northwest France, June 1944,
in the Second World War. From 2006 to 2012, and continuing since late 2015,
Dr. Dolski has taught a variety of traditional and online history courses at several
institutions. In 2011, he attended the West Point Summer Seminar in military
history. His 2016 book, D-Day Remembered, was nominated for multiple awards.
He has authored or co-authored several books, including most recently Histories
on Screen (2018). Since 2016, he has taught as an adjunct professor in the Military
History program at Norwich University.
Dr. Dolski started at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command’s Central
Identification Laboratory, Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, as a fellowship
historian in 2011. He became a federal employee in 2013. From 2011 to 2015, Dr.
Dolski was a part of the Laboratory’s Disinterment Project, eventually assuming
the position of Project Lead. During that time, he was responsible for research on
unidentified remains in U.S. custody accruing from either the Second World War
or the Korean War. In 2015, he helped with the transition to the new accounting
entity, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and focused on solidifying
the new disinterment process. In November 2015, he relocated to Arlington, VA,
to join the Strategic Partnerships Directorate. This current assignment requires
him to conduct outreach, negotiation, and project development with a wide array
of external entities such as universities, non-governmental organizations, and
private businesses. He focuses on historical research and analysis collaborative
ventures as well as a range of field activities like archaeological investigations and
excavations. In order to solidify the agency’s approach to partnership activities,
and also to better take advantage of opportunities in the Pacific, Dr. Dolski
relocated once more, returning to DPAA’s office in Hawaii in September 2017.
6Discovery Day Schedule
All presentations will take place in the Ferrell Academic Center
unless otherwise indicated.
Continental Breakfast
T 8:30 am — Napier Foyer (4th floor), Ferrell Academic Center T
Morning Sessions
8:40–9:35 M Poster/Exhibit Session #1
McAllister Board Room (4th floor)
1. First Light Astrophotography at Daglen Observatory
Benjamin Bogner, Ayden Pugh, Ryan Maderak, Physics and Astronomy
2. Polyphony: Making a Manga
Angela Hoback, Claire Nacanaynay, Benjamin Sonnek, Margaret McCabe,
Matthew Caes, Theology
3. Effects of Reduced Tes-1 Expression on Cell Migration
Mark Horton, Michaela Bretey, Mark Schramp, Biology
4. Promoter Replacement as a Method of Essential Gene Identification
in the Human Pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii
Jessica Linton, Madison Bowser, William Penwell, Biology
5. Understanding Functions of dedA and Virulence in Acinetobacter
baumannii
Joseph Marak, Catherine Kistler, Eva Pecha, Daniela Garcia-Perez, William
Penwell, Biology
6. Morphing Metal and Elastomer Bicontinuous Foams
Anthony Olimpio, Conrad Hoover, Lindsey Bottom, Scott Blonigen,
Engineering
7. Thirty Years of Service: The History and Growth of the Totus Tuus
Program
Alyssa Patterson, Stephanie Baalmann, John Rziha, Theology
8. Identifying Fake News and Enhancing News Literacy
Ellen Petersen, Julie Love, Journalism and Mass Communications
9. Mark and Recapture Field Study of Turtle Populations in a Scour
Pond on the Benedictine Bottoms
Jenna Rudolph, Katherine Lang, Elizabeth Schuetz, Terrence Malloy,
Biology
710. Racial Integration in Atchison Schools
Sarah Salter, Grace Stotzer, Joshua Wolf, History
11. Characterizing the Role of the BauF Gene A. baumanii 19606
JohnPaul Stedwill, Gabriel LeBeau, Payton Murphy, William Penwell,
Biology
12. Usage of the Benedictine Bottoms Refuge by Antlered and Antlerless
White-tailed Deer Before, During, and After Hunting Season
Brandi Strand, Madilyn Gothard, Terrence Malloy, Biology
13. Wood in Concrete: A Study in Mix Design
Benjamin Suhr, Scott Newbolds, Engineering
14. Computational Modeling of Ion Production in Titan’s Ionosphere
Austin Windsor, Kent Wilson, Matthew Richard, Physics and Astronomy
x x
15. Presidential Libraries and Active Citizenship in High School
Students
Elizabeth Clum, Annie Phillips, Sarah Tapper, Charles DeVillier, William
Raymond, Political Science
9:45–10:05 c Room 109
16. The Behavioral Effects of the Plastic Bag Tax
Catherine Francois, James Young, Economics
9:45–10:05 c Room 124
17. The Effect of a Classroom Pet on the Education of Pre-K Students
Matthieu Gilme, Isaiah McBride, Amy Posey, Psychological Sciences
9:45–10:05 c Room 125
18. Economic Modeling of the Atchison Royal Cinema
Benjamin Schutte, William Keiss, David Harris, Economics
9:45–10:05 c Room 208
19. Botanical Latin
Hannah Dea, Elizabeth Ciskanik, Edward Mulholland, World and Classical
Languages and Cultures
9:45–10:05 c Room 219
20. Thesis Defense of “In Their Own Image: Educational Origins of
H.D. and Amy Lowell’s Imagism”
Hannah Voss, Julia Bowen, Sarah Young, Susan Traffas, Andrew Salzmann,
English, Honors Program, Theology
9:45–10:35 c Gangel Seminar Room
821. An Acoustical Study
Matthew Johll, Michael Klein, Joshua Sullivan, Patrick O’Malley,
Engineering
9:45–10:05 c Room 323
22. Artistic Possibilities of Sand Casting Techniques
Alejandro Gomez, Bryan Park, Art
10:15–11:15 c Outside Bishop Fink Hall (weather permitting)
23. Comparative Study of Lactic Acid Accumulation During Anoxic
Conditions of Winter Environments in Hatchling Sliders (Trachemys
scripta) and Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta)
Katherine Lang, Elizabeth Schuetz, Jenna Rudolph, Virginia Winder, Biology
10:15–10:35 c Room 109
24. The Benedictine Bounce Back
Annie Lind, Peter Hegelsen, Admission
10:15–10:35 c Room 124
25. Amoris Laetitia From the Perspective of the Laity
Marisol Alicea, Anna Laughery, Matthew Ramage, Theology
10:15–10:35 c Room 125
26. Health Beliefs and Access to Care Among Residents of San Andrés
Itzapa, Guatemala
Victoria Masucci, Michele Hinds, Nursing
10:15–10:35 c Room 208
27. The Japanese Prints of Mount St. Scholastica
Rachel Pierick, Gabriel Ogle, Margaret McCabe, Claire Nacanaynay, Jay
Wallace, Art
10:15–10:35 c Room 219
28. If I Die Before I Wake: Fear, Horror, and Religiosity
Catherine Wittig, Thomas Dzurik, Sarah Starrs, Adam Buhman-Wiggs,
Psychological Sciences
10:15–10:35 c Room 323
29. A School for the Lord’s Service: On the Value and Example of
Cistercian Pedagogy
Michael Nguyen, Andrew Salzmann, Theology
10:45–11:05 c Room 109
930. Pathway to Academic Success: A Study of Factors That Influence
GPA
Fiona Fitzgerald, Kayla Watry, Sarah White, Adam Buhman-Wiggs,
Psychological Sciences
10:45–11:05 c Room 124
31. The Effects on Students With Disabilities Transitioning From High
School to College
Anne Donahoe, Alexandria Middleton, Lauren Berry, Anna Ward, Matthew
Ramsey, Education
10:45–11:05 c Room 125
32. VBA and the Benefits of Coding in Accounting and Finance Fields
Lillian Hoover, Brian Henry, School of Business
10:45–11:05 c Room 208
33. Privilege at Benedictine: Fact or Fiction?
Rachel Medara, Melody Wiklund, Kelsey Runge, Rebecca Hess, Joshua Wolf,
History
10:45–11:05 c Room 219
34. Italy’s Bad Debt and Banking Dilemma
Noah Sattler, James Young, Economics
10:45–11:05 c Gangel Seminar Room
35. KayBak
William Keiss, Brock Hess, Joseph Wurtz, Gregorian Fellows
10:45–11:05 c Room 323
ddd
11:15–12:10 T Poster/Exhibit Session #2
McAllister Board Room (4th floor)
36. The Antioxidant Effects of Protandim
Eden Anderson, Will Argana, Michaela Dreiling, Matthew Jarecki, Kolbe
Poarch, Martha Carletti, Biology
37. A Computational Investigation of the Properties of N-Rich Salts of
2-Methyl-5-Nitraminotetrazole
Joseph Barnes, Gail Blaustein, Chemistry and Biochemistry
38. WIYN Open Cluster Study: O and Fe Abundances in the Very Young
Open Cluster IC 4665
Benjamin Bogner, Constantine Deliyannis, Ryan Maderak, Physics and
Astronomy, Indiana University
1039. Burnable Disc/ Alternative Fuel Source
Matthew Branch, William Giesen, Michael Baltuska, George Emrich, Isaac
Meyer, Joseph Marak, Karina Scheller, Kolbe Scheetz, Chemistry and
Biochemistry
40. Downregulation of the RNAse-E Gene in E. coli Using dCas9/
CRISPR
Nicholas Brose, Anna Schreffler, William Penwell, Biology
41. Ergonomics of Paddling
Adam Burke, Steve Spencer, Engineering
42. Automated Concrete Curing Chamber
Brett Burke, Scott Newbolds, Engineering
43. Hormones and Your Health
Rachel Clark, Ann Marie Guernsey, Anna Jacobs, Sydney Wolf, Jackie
Harris, Nursing
44. The Effects of SR9243 on HeLa Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis
Jacob Cushing, Lane Fry, Jude Severson, Martha Carletti, Biology
45. The Nutrient Network: A Global Ecological Initiative
Christine Fast, Brent Mortensen, Biology
46. The Invasive Genus Lonicera in Weston Bend State Park
Matthew Hart, Terrence Malloy, Biology
47. Pregnancy Symptoms: An Exploration on How Everyday Activities
Affect the Severity of Pregnancy Discomforts
Maria Lanciotti, MaryBridget Pecha, Brittany Bosarge, Katherine Rich,
Casey Wagner, Nursing
z
11:30 am–12:50 pm g Lunch – Dining Hall
s Jazz Band Entertainment s
z
Keynote Address
“Augmented Capabilities: Searching for
Missing Individuals in a Team Environment”
Dr. Michael Dolski
1:00–2:20 pm
O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium
11Afternoon Sessions
48. Race, Trauma, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Elizabeth Allard, Christi Adams, Education
2:35–2:55 c Room 109
49. AIChE ChemE Car Program Research at Benedictine College
Phase 1: Power System Development
Alissa Muggli, Katharine Hirl, Scott Blonigen, Engineering
2:35–2:55 c Room 124
50. Strangers In a Strange Land: Civilian and Private Organizational
Experiences With Refugee Assistance
Velia Colunga, David Torres, Laura Moley, Sociology and Criminology
2:35–2:55 c Room 125
51. Creating Assistive Technologies to Aid in Mathematics Education
Andrew Miller, Justin Tran, Christopher Hilger, Anna Huber, Nicolaas
tenBroek, Mathematics and Computer Science
2:35–2:55 c Room 208
52. “Still ‘Civilized’ But Deeply Divided”: The Cherokee’s Struggle
Against Tribal Division, 1835–1877
Matthew Swoboda, Joshua Wolf, History
2:35–2:55 c Room 219
53. “To You Have I Lifted My Soul”: Senior Theology Thesis Defense
Skyler Neberman, Andrew Salzmann, Matthew Ramage, Stephen Mirarchi,
Theology, English
2:35–3:25 c Gangel Seminar Room
54. Shut Up, You’re Wrong!
Shelly Loosbrock, Maryrose Pokorny, Adam Buhman-Wiggs, Psychological
Sciences
2:35–2:55 c Room 323
55. Fighting With Fractions: Finding the Whole Solution
Catherine Rea, Angela Broaddus, Mathematics and Computer Science
3:05–3:25 c Room 109
56. Intelligent Parallelization of Numerical Solvers
Paul Modlin, Nickolas Hein, Mathematics and Computer Science
3:05–3:25 c Room 124
1257. Culturally Transformative Literature in Education: The Transition
From Disability to Exceptionality
Paul Imgrund, Susan Traffas, Honors Program
3:05–3:25 c Room 125
58. Vortex Chiller Tubes
Daniel Hayes, Steve Spencer, Engineering
3:05–3:25 c Room 208
59. Alpha and Omega: Word Placement in The Aeneid Book One
Catherine McCormick, Sarah Young, English
3:05–3:25 c Room 219
60. Tam Trepidans Advenio
Margaret Boone, Katherine Ross, Marcela Heffernan, Patricia Lombardo,
Stephanie Baalmann, Nicole Buchman, Emily Kennebeck, Kateri Determan,
Anna Gowasack, Trini Crocker, Tess Schuck, MeiLi Kok, Angela Rodriguez,
Rebecca Hess, Rebecca Madison, Alison Blanchat, Landon Downing, Daniel
Kopitke, Callum Hubka, Gabriel Heffernan, Timothy Heron, Matthew Bridge,
Austin Lager, Nicholas Peterson, Trace Flax, Douglas Wahl, Joseph Farrell,
Edward Mulholland, World and Classical Languages and Cultures
3:05–3:25 c O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium
61. The Do’s and Don’ts of Holding an Internship
Camrie Ventry, William Raymond, Political Science
3:05–3:25 c Room 323
62. Period. Full Stop.
Hannah Voss, Julia Bowen, English
3:35–3:55 c Room 109
63. Educators as Builders of Global Community
Monica McDonough, Alyssa Patterson, Catherine Hutchens, Christi Adams,
Education
3:35–3:55 c Room 124
64. Dialoguing With the Saints: An Artist’s Response to Laudato Si
Katherine Lang, Susan Traffas, Honors Program
3:35–3:55 c Room 125
65. Hatshepsut: History’s Forgotten King
Kelsey Runge, John Romano, History
3:35–3:55 c Room 208
1366. Exploration of Nickel Complexes for the Catalytic Production of
Acetaldehyde From Ethanol
Michael Salemi, John Waters, Natalie Smaron, Kolbe Scheetz, Chemistry and
Biochemistry
3:35–3:55 c Room 219
67. The Civil War Ball: A Timeless Experience
Kristina Martell, Matthew Swoboda, Michael D’Arcangelis, Gregory Reising,
Adam Landry, Kelly Schuck, Katharine Caughron, Victoria Caranna, Joshua
Wolf, History
3:35–4:05 c O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium
68. Presenting Aeschylus’ Agamemnon on a Modern Stage
Naomi Muggli, Alissa Muggli, Joseph Hrenchir, Edward Mulholland, World
and Classical Languages and Cultures
3:35–3:55 c Gangel Seminar Room
69. Econometrics of the Domestic Box Office
Benjamin Schutte, Eric West, Susan Traffas, Mathematics and Computer
Science, Honors Program
3:35–3:55 c Room 323
70. Site Development for A Simple House – Nicaragua
Kienan McIntee, Matthew Johll, Daniel Hayes, Paul Wessel, Scott Newbolds,
Engineering
4:05–4:25 c Room 109
71. Outside In: A New Take on the Traditional Classroom
Rachel Shaver, Monica Loesel, Christi Adams, Education
4:05–4:25 c Room 124
72. Modeling Biological Invasions With the Reaction-Diffusion Equation
Jessica Linton, Susan Traffas, Honors Program
4:05–4:25 c Room 125
73. Green Energy, Pink Plastic, and Quantum Dots: Solar Energy
Harvesting Through Luminescent Solar Concentrators
Marie Rioux, Nathaniel Strandquist, Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, Physics and
Astronomy
4:05–4:25 c Room 208
74. Mathematically Visualizing, Analyzing, and Evaluating the BC
General Education Requirements
Kasandra Short, Heidi Hulsizer, Mathematics and Computer Science
4:05–4:25 c Room 219
1475. Life’s Assignments: An Original Play
Catherine Hutchens, Sara Hutchens, Matthew Ramsey, Education
4:15–5:05 c O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium
76. The Best Years of Our Lives: A Personal Journey of the Daughter of a
Career Soldier
Jazzmin Wilson, John Settich, Political Science
4:05–4:25 c Room 323
77. Lost Wax Casting
Madeline Stella, Bryan Park, Art
4:35–4:55 c Room 109
78. Bike Rack Design for Atchison Bike Share
Skyler Valdez, Michael Miller, Andrew Buss, Dalton Smith, John Krishnan
Myjak, Joseph LaRosa, Maximilian Davy, Patrick O’Malley, Engineering
4:35–4:55 c Room 124
79. 168 App Creation
Rosalie Wilkerson, Ayden Pugh, John Wostenberg, Kevin Page, Journalism
and Mass Communications
4:35–4:55 c Room 125
80. Colloidal Synthesis of PbS Quantum Dots
Nathaniel Strandquist, Christopher Palm, Joseph Hrenchir, Georgiy
Shcherbatyuk, Physics and Astronomy
4:35–4:55 c Room 208
81. Nonprofit, For Prophet: How Your Christian Charity Can Change the
World
Evelyn Wagner, Stephen Smith, Michael King, School of Business
4:35–4:55 c Room 219
82. Madam President – 2020?
Maryclaire Muskett, Elizabeth Lademan, Kayla Johnson, Rita Maslanka,
Matlin McFarren, William Raymond, Political Science
4:35–4:55 c Room 323
15sqs
Presentation Abstracts
8:40–9:35 am T Poster/Exhibit Session #1
McAllister Board Room (4th floor)
1. First Light Astrophotography at Daglen Observatory
Benjamin Bogner, Ayden Pugh, Ryan Maderak, Physics and Astronomy
We present the first-ever astrophotographic images produced at Daglen Observa-
tory. The images are approximate true-color composites of frames taken in each
of the five UBVRI precision filters used for astronomical photometry. The frames
were acquired using a 14-inch telescope equipped with a science-grade 8.3 mega-
pixel CCD detector. In addition to exhibiting the intersection between science and
photography, these images demonstrate the quality of astronomical data that can
be acquired with a relatively small telescope under Kansas skies at a location with
significant light pollution.
2. Polyphony: Making a Manga
Angela Hoback, Claire Nacanaynay, Benjamin Sonnek, Margaret McCabe,
Matthew Caes, Theology
Manga is a Japanese art style that has had an immense impact on modern graphic
novels and cartooning. It has reached outside of its original borders to affect other
countries’ art styles. Our project is to replicate this style artistically and in our
storytelling while also weaving in a Western theological standpoint. We began by
researching how manga is made, in particular the materials needed, the history,
the various styles, the themes that reappear in historical and modern manga, and
how manga has evolved both artistically and thematically. The story of the manga
project follows the adventures of three young choirboys as they accidentally enter
a magical land where their music has power.
3. Effects of Reduced Tes-1 Expression on Cell Migration
Mark Horton, Michaela Bretey, Mark Schramp, Biology
Cell migration is an essential step in the development of all multicellular organisms
but also can lead to deadly outcomes in the context of cancer metastases. During
migration, cells must polarize themselves and regulate adhesion and cytoskeletal
changes to move. The goal of our project is to study the role of the actin-regulating
protein Testin-1 (Tes) during migration. Tes expression was diminished in the
experimental group using RNAi. We compared the migration rates of wild-type
and Tes knockdown cells using a scratch assay. The results of the assay showed
a significant difference in the mean gap width between the control and Tes-
knockdown cells at hours 4 and 8. We conclude that Tes affects changes in cell
polarity within the first few hours after stimulation, such that the absence of Tes
decreases the ability of the cell to migrate. However, once migration has been
established, the role of Tes decreases. In order to elucidate further the role of
16Tes, we would like specifically to study its interaction with E-cadherin, which is
another protein involved in cell polarity, migration, and adhesion. Additionally, we
would like to repeat these experiments in epithelial tissue, mimicking metastasis
of carcinomas, which are the most common type of cancer.
4. Promoter Replacement as a Method of Essential Gene Identification in
the Human Pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii
Jessica Linton, Madison Bowser, William Penwell, Biology
Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the six ESKAPE bacterial pathogens of
greatest healthcare concern for which new therapeutic strategies are needed.
The organism has earned this dubious distinction due to its predominance as
a cause of multi-drug resistant nosocomial infections. Despite being a major
issue in the healthcare system, there are currently no new antibiotics to treat A.
baumannii infections. One reason for this is due to the minimal understanding of
the organism’s basic features, including which genes contribute to its survival.
In that regard, while there are many approaches to develop novel antibiotics, the
underlying commonality is that current antibiotics target cellular processes that
are required for the organism’s viability. To date, there is no clear understanding
of which A. baumannii gene products are essential and, consequently, what
may or may not represent an attractive antibiotic target. A major factor that is
preventing the characterization of essential genes in this pathogen is the fact
that essential genes cannot be mutated due to the lethality to bacterial growth.
Therefore, the goal of this proposal is to develop an approach to study essential
genes in A. baumannii. We propose to use promoter replacement to do genetic
exchange on the native promoter of essential genes and replace with the inducible
promoter, araC. This approach will focus on essential genes, like murA and
mraY, DnaA and DNA polymerase, which are involved in cell wall synthesis
and DNA replication in A. baumannii, respectively. The promoter fragment will
be amplified and cloned into the inducible A. baumannii shuttle vector pBEM-9.
The construct then will be transformed into A. baumannii and the induction will
be turned on with L-arabinose. After induction, if the transformants display either
a lethal or defective growth phenotype when arabinose is not present, we can
conclude that those altered genes are indeed essential genes needed for the growth
of A. baumannii.
5. Understanding Functions of dedA and Virulence in Acinetobacter
baumannii
Joseph Marak, Catherine Kistler, Eva Pecha, Daniela Garcia-Perez, William
Penwell, Biology
Previous research by Dr. Penwell identified a set of genes that were needed to
cause a successful infection in murine pneumonia model. One specific gene that
was important for virulence was the gene, dedA. This gene encodes for a hypo-
thetical protein whose function is currently unknown; however, this protein is
thought to be integral in membrane integrity. It has also been shown to have a
variety of functions in other bacteria, some of which include ion transport and
virulence. The purpose of our research is to characterize the function of the dedA
17gene in membrane integrity and virulence of A. baumannii. In order to carry out
our research, we will first amplify the dedA gene from the genome of A. bauman-
nii 17978. Once amplified, we will use specific restriction enzymes to interrupt
the gene with the antibiotic, kanamycin. A mutation of the gene dedA::kan will
be generated using a specific recombination-mediated genome editing system and
inserted into A. baumannii. After confirming mutation via PCR, we will examine
the isogenic derivative for phenotypical changes related to virulence and mem-
brane integrity. Change in virulence phenotypes include motility, biofilm, and
ability to kill the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Changes in membrane integ-
rity will involve the uptake of 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN), which will be
applied to the mutated strains of A. baumannii. Using NPN will give a quantita-
tive measure to determine changes in outer membrane permeability and integrity.
In the future, this research will help the science community to increase the under-
standing of the purpose of the gene dedA in the species A. baumannii.
6. Morphing Metal and Elastomer Bicontinuous Foams
Anthony Olimpio, Conrad Hoover, Lindsey Bottom, Scott Blonigen, Engineering
Two of the properties for which most metals are used is their tensile strength and
toughness. Metals can generally withstand a moderate to large amount of force
without breaking, which is favorable in countless applications ranging anywhere
from hammers to airplanes. But while it is useful to have a heavy hammer
sometimes, it is generally better to have a lighter airplane if possible. And while
having a hammer can help in many cases, it won’t often be a good substitute for a
wrench or screwdriver. Transforming a hammer into a screwdriver when needed
would be very useful, but as metals are inherently difficult to stretch, mold, or
even break, this is not currently possible. However, there is a process emerging
by which certain low-melting point metals are made less dense using a positive
silicon skeleton. This makes a metal which, when exposed to a heat-gradient,
will morph into a different form. This would not be terribly special, save for the
fact that the metal retains its physical properties, ideally staying just as strong
and tough in all forms. Our project seeks to produce several testing ingots of this
“metal foam,” which will be created with different metal alloys and tested for
strength, toughness, elasticity, and other physical properties. This project could
yield results that are revolutionary to the field as the data collected could display
trends that point to an ultimate composite between this metal and silicon, which
would one day be produced for things like the aforementioned hybrid tools. These
metal foams could help with several new innovations to daily life, new technology
for spacecraft, or any number of other applications.
Once the materials had been bought to begin making the elastomer foams, the
process of creating various low temperature melting point alloys began. Three
metals were used to create the alloys, Bismuth, Lead, and Tin. First the metals
were cut and flattened to working sizes, then combined with each other in proper
proportions to create three different alloys of three various proportions. Once the
alloy had been smelted, the liquid metal was poured into warm water to rapid cool
it into small, workable pellets for later use.
18Small silicon molds were also made from making negatives of a T-bone shape with
a 3D printer, then filling the gaps with a mixture of craft silicon and Himalayan
mountain salt. Once the silicon dried, the bone-shaped piece of silicon with the
salt was placed into a cleanser to get rid of the salt.
The next step was to put the alloys into the voids in the silicon mold, but multiple
problems with heat exchange from the molten metals to the surroundings prevented
full transfer of the alloy into the molds to create the elastomer foams. Thus, only
failed results were obtained. Future work will entail how properly to transfer the
alloys into the molds effectively in order to gain proper material samples for later
testing of properties.
7. Thirty Years of Service: The History and Growth of the Totus Tuus
Program
Alyssa Patterson, Stephanie Baalmann, John Rziha, Theology
Since its creation in 1987, the Totus Tuus catechetical program has transformed
the lives of thousands of students and young adults. Through a summer of service,
missionaries meet and teach hundreds of students about the Catholic faith. Our
research sought to explore the power of this program by answering the question
“How has Totus Tuus impacted and transformed the lives of those involved?”
Through data collection and interviews with the founder, current coordinators,
and missionaries, we have discovered how the program that began in Kansas has
blossomed to impact individuals nationwide. Totus Tuus has transformed the lives
of countless individuals by creating a vibrant faith-life among youth and adults.
8. Identifying Fake News and Enhancing News Literacy
Ellen Petersen, Julie Love, Journalism and Mass Communications
As a Journalism and Mass Communications major, I’ve found that young
people are experiencing difficulty in understanding and communicating news
and identifying what is news. News has changed rapidly since the advent of the
television, and now social media. It is also under fire by public figures, officials,
and many Americans in general. Given the conflicting views of the various news
agencies and fake news circulating the Internet, people are consistently asking,
“What is news?” and “Why is it important?”
For this project, I’ve conducted research to better educate myself on what fake
news actually is and to find possible solutions to this growing problem.
While conducting my research I found that 82 percent of middle-school students
were not able to determine the difference between sponsored advertisements and
a real news story on the same site, and 80 percent of college students believed a
lobbying firm’s website to be an unbiased and trusted news source.
At the same time, I found that Americans are split—one-third of Americans
believe everything they read, one-third believe all news is fake news with a bias,
and the other third is somewhere in the middle.
19As a solution, I found that many schools across the country, starting from
elementary-level classes, are incorporating classes on ‘news literacy’—a new
term used to combat fake news by educating Americans on how critically to think
about news. This involves teaching students everything from proper sentence
structure to spelling and grammar.
In higher education, students are learning how critically to analyze news stories
and their sources. Some tips on how to do so include:
• Reading other sources on the same topic
• Investigating into a byline
• Investigating the story’s sources
• Avoiding sites that end in “.io” or “.com.co”
• Ensure each story uses multiple sources and that other credible news
sources are covering the same issue
• Finally, asking “Why is this story important or relevant to me and why
should I trust it?”
9. Mark and Recapture Field Study of Turtle Populations in a Scour Pond
on the Benedictine Bottoms
Jenna Rudolph, Katherine Lang, Elizabeth Schuetz, Terrence Malloy, Biology
We did a mark and recapture study of the turtle populations in a scour pond on
Benedictine Bottoms Wildlife Area to examine the diversity and demography
of these populations. Due to the fact that Benedictine Bottoms is an established
mitigation site, we anticipated a diverse, stable, and abundant turtle population in
this isolated pond. We captured turtles using hoop nets baited with cat food. We set
up seven hoop nets along the circumference of the pond, and checked them every
two to three nights. We started in mid-September and continued sampling until
the temperature dropped below freezing in late October. We used RFID (PIT) tags
uniquely to mark captured individuals. For each captured individual, we recorded
species, sex, weight, morphometric data, and pictures of key identifying physical
traits. We found Common Snapping Turtles, Northern Painted Turtles, Red Eared
Sliders, and False Map Turtles. Our study resulted in 34 tagged turtles and six
recaptures across nine sampling efforts. Our data show that the most abundant
species was the Common Snapping Turtle and the least abundant was the False
Map Turtle.
10. Racial Integration in Atchison Schools
Sarah Salter, Grace Stotzer, Joshua Wolf, History
The town of Atchison, Kansas, was established in the pre-Civil War era by
Missouri Senator David Rice Atchison. He intended Atchison to serve as a pro-
slave outpost in Kansas to outweigh free state sentiment along the border. Since
then, Atchison has held an unusual attitude toward race. Public facilities, such
as parks, swimming pools, and places of employment, were not segregated in
Atchison early on, but schools up to eighth grade were. However, Atchison
became one of the first towns in Kansas to consider school integration, predating
Topeka’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education by two years.
20This project will investigate the history of race in Atchison’s public schools,
focusing mainly on the colored school in Atchison (Lincoln School) and Atchison
High School (AHS). Besides exploring the timeline that brought about integration
in Atchison and Kansas as a whole, the authors will seek an understanding of how
integration affected both the black and white communities of Atchison. We hope
to conduct several interviews with residents of Atchison at the time of integration
and present their testimonies. Finally, we will consider the legacy and implica-
tions of race relations affecting the modern day Atchison population.
11. Characterizing the Role of the BauF Gene A. baumanii 19606
JohnPaul Stedwill, Gabriel LeBeau, Payton Murphy, William Penwell, Biology
Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterial pathogen that causes severe nosocomial
acquired infections in immunocompromised patients. One important virulence
determinant is the acinetobactin-mediated siderophore system, which functions
to acquire iron under iron-limited conditions imposed by the human host. Much
work has been done to determine function of proteins within the acinetobactin-
mediated system, but some steps of this system are not well understood. One
such step is how iron is released from the siderophore after acquiring it from the
environment or host. The bauF gene, which is located within the acinetobactin
gene cluster, has similarity with genes encoding esterases from other siderophore-
mediated systems. These esterases have been shown to be needed for the release
of iron from their respective ferric-siderophore complexes. Therefore, it is our
hypothesis that the bauF gene encodes a putative esterase that is involved in the
release of iron from a ferric-acinetobactin complex.
BauF will first be PCR amplified from A. baumannii ATCC 19606T genomic
DNA with primers that will allow for the PCR product to be cloned into Zero
Blunt Topo PCR cloning kit. The amplicon will be sub-cloned into a restriction
site on the polylinker of the expression vector, pET-30ax and protein product will
contain the appropriate His-tag. The construct will be transformed into E. coli
BL21 for overexpression using T7 RNA polymerase system, which is induced
with the addition of IPGT. Expression of this construct will produce a fusion pro-
tein where the BauF protein will be His-tagged. We will confirm over-expression
of the protein by making cell lysates after inducing expression. We will run the
lysates on a SDS-PAGE and wash with Coomassie Bright Blue to determine if we
have expression of the BauF protein as compared to an uninduced control. Once
confirmed, we will scale up the over-expression to isolate the BauF protein using
high pressure liquid chromatography. This can be done using the His-tag, which
has been incorporated onto the N-terminal end of the BauF protein (NHis-BauF).
Because the His-tag has a high affinity for nickel (Ni), we will use Ni-affinity
column chromatography to isolate over-expressed protein and then examine the
purity of the NHis-BauF protein using SDS-PAGE.
To determine if NHis-BauF is an esterase that releases iron from a ferric-
acinetobactin complex, we must isolate acinetobactin. We will grow Acinetobacter
baumannii ATCC 19606T in M9 minimal media with the iron chelator, 2,2’-dipri-
dyl. After isolating the siderophore, a reaction mixture will be set up so that
21ferric-acinetobactin and NHis-BauF can be incubated together at room tempera-
ture. Aliquots will be pulled from the reaction mixture after 5, 10, and 30 mins
and added to a stop buffer. The samples will then be analyzed by High Pressure
Liquid Chromatography using and a reverse-phase column.
12. Usage of the Benedictine Bottoms Refuge by Antlered and Antlerless
White-tailed Deer Before, During, and After Hunting Season
Brandi Strand, Madilyn Gothard, Terrence Malloy, Biology
The Benedictine Bottoms is a 2,112-acre area located 2.5 miles northeast of
Atchison, Kansas, on River Road. It is currently managed by the Kansas Department
of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, and provides three types of habitat (grassland,
woodland, and wetland) for a wide variety of wildlife species, particularly white-
tailed deer. Roughly one-third of the land is a designated refuge where hunting is
not allowed. This provides shelter and resources for inhabitants during the winter
months. The objective of this study was to use trail camera photos to estimate
the number of white-tailed deer using the Benedictine Bottoms Wildlife Refuge
before, during, and after the rifle hunting season. Six different trail cameras were
placed as evenly throughout the refuge as possible at roughly one camera per 100
acres. Three were baited, and three were non-baited to contrast sex ratio bias.
A bias was observed as the doe:buck ratio was much greater at non-baited sites
compared to the baited. Three 10-day surveys were conducted with the first one
taking place November 10–19, the second December 1–10, and the last January
14–23. During the pre-hunting season, 266 photos of deer were captured with
an estimated doe to buck ratio of 4.8:3. During hunting season, which ran from
November 29 through December 10, total deer photos decreased slightly to 221,
with a doe to buck ratio of 5.3:3. Total deer photos during the post-hunting season
numbered 210 with a doe to buck ratio of 8:3. These preliminary results indicate
that refuge use by white-tailed deer declined during the hunting season and that
the doe to buck ratio increased with fewer bucks and more does respectively being
captured on camera during each of the three surveys.
13. Wood in Concrete: A Study in Mix Design
Benjamin Suhr, Scott Newbolds, Engineering
The objective of this project involves investigating the mixture of finely ground
wood particles into the concrete mix. This process has been used for more than
a century, but only in small, non-loading applications. Recently, civil engineers
have considered adding wood particles into concrete on a much larger scale, such
as foundation slabs. The recent increase in awareness of this method is due to its
positive effect on the environment compared to conventional mixing techniques.
Most of all, this method decreases the unit weight of the final product so much
in some cases that the concrete is able to float, while maintaining a great deal of
compressive strength. This project is designed to investigate the truth of these
claims by performing compression tests on concrete mixes with different levels of
wood particles. These data as well as the unit weight will then be compared to those
of a lightweight concrete mix without wood particles added. It is difficult to stay
environmentally conscious when working with construction materials. If these
22results reveal that a concrete/wood mixture has the similar properties as concrete
without wood added, it will provide a case for a viable way for more efficient
and environmentally conscious concrete mixing in the future. Additionally, by
using the wood particles, the cost of the concrete could be significantly reduced.
The hope for this project will be to determine the feasibility of using this mixing
technique for practical, common construction applications.
14. Computational Modeling of Ion Production in Titan’s Ionosphere
Austin Windsor, Kent Wilson, Matthew Richard, Physics and Astronomy
The Cassini spacecraft started its 20-year historic journey in 1997 as it set out to
orbit Saturn. Once Cassini reached the ringed planet’s orbit in 2004, it collected
data on the planet and its moons until September 2017. Of particular interest is
Saturn’s moon Titan, whose N2 and CH4 dominated atmosphere is thought to
resemble that of an early Earth. If the understanding of the interactions occurring
in the atmosphere is improved, a superior view of an early Earth atmosphere can be
resolved. As Cassini passed Titan, it gathered information about the composition
of Titan’s upper atmosphere and ionosphere using 12 different instruments.
Currently, the primary objective is completely to model the ionization rates due
to protons entering Titan’s atmosphere at various energies using data collected by
Cassini. To obtain this objective, I built a Monte Carlo computer code starting in
2015 and have been continuously refining it to produce a more accurate model.
This computer code uses a 4th order Runge-Kutta method to simulate the motion of
hundreds of thousands of protons entering the atmosphere of Titan and to predict,
based on proton energies and collision cross sections, whether or not the protons
collide with a neutral nitrogen molecule in the atmosphere to produce an ion.
Once a collision is detected, it is then predicted which of seven different chemical
processes occur to produce a nitrogen ion. The results being produced are plots
showing the relationship between the ion production and altitude. This reveals a
clear peak ionization altitude in Titan’s ionosphere indicating where the highest
amounts of ionization occur. Along with this, color mapping of Titan’s surface
is conducted to show where, relative to Titan’s surface, the most ionization is
occurring. The primary focus of this past year has been to optimize the probability
function for predicting collisions using a variable time step. Kent Wilson, a
sophomore, has recently joined the team to aid in the efforts for interpolating
magnetic field line profiles in Titan’s ionosphere and to learn the current program.
x x
15. Presidential Libraries and Active Citizenship in High School Students
Elizabeth Clum, Annie Phillips, Sarah Tapper, Charles DeVillier, William
Raymond, Political Science
9:45–10:05 c Room 109
A portion of an educator’s job is preparing students to be active and informed
citizens. This job rests heavily on social studies teachers in particular. The pres-
sures of a task so large inspired this team to dive into the resources available
in this area for teachers and students alike, leading the team to the Presidential
Libraries. The primary research question was how the education programs at the
23Presidential Libraries assist students in becoming more interested in their educa-
tion and becoming more active, informed citizens. Through in-depth consultation
with library educational specialists and analysis of library programs, the team
reasoned that the resources available for educators and students at Presidential
Libraries encourages students actively to participate in their education and
develop a sense of civic responsibility. While these programs in no way replace
the need for qualified social studies teachers in the classrooms, the supplement of
these programs creates a learning environment conducive of critical thinking and
real-world application. Through this presentation, the team of researchers will
convey the availability of unique resources, simulations, and activities obtain-
able for all educators in the Presidential Library education programs and how the
use of these programs can engage students of all levels while encouraging their
informed participation in the civic duties of American citizens.
16. The Behavioral Effects of the Plastic Bag Tax
Catherine Francois, James Young, Economics
9:45–10:05 c Room 124
Regulations and restrictions on the use of plastic bags in grocery stores have been
one of the recent advances in legislation in many states across the US. This is a
trend that began in Europe that is now coming to the US. From my research I
have found that plastic bag legislation has two effects. In the first few months
after the legislation has been implemented, demand significantly decreases, but
then it picks back up after consumers become more accustomed to paying for
their bags. This project will consider the economic concepts of price elasticity
of demand, the factors that determine price elasticity, and the way that plastic
bag legislation affects price elasticity. In addition, it will incorporate the Coase
Theorem of externalities and market failures. Finally, it will apply Nobel Laureate
Richard Thaler’s concepts of acquisition utility and transaction utility to the issue
of plastic bag legislation.
17. The Effect of a Classroom Pet on the Education of Pre-K Students
Matthieu Gilme, Isaiah McBride, Amy Posey, Psychological Sciences
9:45–10:05 c Room 125
Past research suggests that having a pet in a classroom helps children with their
early development, especially in terms of empathy. This research has been
conducted with elementary-school-aged children. With the consent of the teachers,
we introduced a guinea pig within a NEK-CAP Head Start classroom located
in Atchison, Kansas. Through this study, we hope to assess the effects of the
guinea pig on the children’s socio-emotional development (ability to balance the
rights and needs of others) and attendance. In this study we used two classrooms,
having one classroom act as the treatment group, which served as the home of
the classroom pet. The second classroom served as a control group, which had
minimal contact with the guinea pig. We will compare the pre-intervention data
with the data gathered after the guinea pig has been in their classroom for two
months and once again at the end of the academic year. We hypothesize that
24students in the treatment group will demonstrate more improvement in their
attendance and socio-emotional development than students who are in the control
group condition.
18. Economic Modeling of the Atchison Royal Cinema
Benjamin Schutte, William Keiss, David Harris, Economics
9:45–10:05 c Room 208
The organization Theater Atchison is attempting to renovate and reopen the
closed-down Royal Cinema in Atchison, Kansas. We wanted to use econometric
modeling to attempt to answer their questions about reopening the movie theater.
Their main question was what they should charge for ticket prices. Our goal was
to model the market for movie theater tickets in the town of Atchison, Kansas,
to see how successful the theater will be after reopening. We started by doing a
literature review to see what research had already been done on movie theater
ticket demand in small towns. We then created surveys to track the demand from
the townspeople and college students. Next, we took the data from the surveys
and used it to build an econometric model. This model did not accurately cap-
ture the information from the town, so we switched methods and created inverse
demand curves plotting quantity demanded against ticket price at four different
times. Finally, we ran marginal analyses to find the profit maximizing prices, and
plugged them into the preliminary income statement provided to us by Theater
Atchison.
19. Botanical Latin
Hannah Dea, Elizabeth Ciskanik, Edward Mulholland, World and Classical
Languages and Cultures
9:45–10:05 c Room 219
Botanical Latin is the language used by botanists to name and describe plant taxa.
The purpose of this project is to make a focused analysis of the development and
usage of botanical Latin. The goal was to discover how the current system came
to be, how it is used today, and whether it is still a relevant course of study. In
this project we first identified the definition and purpose of botanical Latin, we
then examined its history, including a particular look at the contributions made
by Carl Linnaeus. Next, we explored how the language is set up using William T.
Stearn’s 1966 Botanical Latin as a main reference, and finally we analyzed how
botanical Latin is used in the modern day. As a result, we found that systematically
studying the history and use of botanical Latin can be of value for present-day
plant researchers both for understanding past taxonomic work and as a reference
when classifying species to be discovered in the future.
20. Thesis Defense of “In Their Own Image: Educational Origins of H.D.
and Amy Lowell’s Imagism”
Hannah Voss, Julia Bowen, Sarah Young, Susan Traffas, Andrew Salzmann,
English, Honors Program, Theology
9:45–10:35 c Gangel Seminar Room
Conceptions of modernist literature start with Imagism, the first poetic movement
to signal the shift to modernism. It is fundamentally important that Imagism
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