Undergraduate Research Day 2015

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https://hdl.handle.net/10474/2518

The Fourth Annual UC Undergraduate Research Day was held at Southern New Hampshire University on Wednesday, April 8th, 2015. This year’s Undergraduate Research Day was our largest event yet, with 73 projects and 95 student participants.

This collection includes the abstracts of all projects presented at Undergraduate Research Day as well as the full text of those projects submitted for archiving. It represents the diversity of projects presented on April 8th, and it is a testament to the intellectual rigor and sophistication of the students of Southern New Hampshire University. This year students presented research in the form of panel presentations, works-in-progress roundtable presentations, and poster presentations. Student projects this year also included a Student Housing Design STEM competition and robot roundtable. Projects were submitted from across the three schools and represented research in numerous disciplines. Many projects represented traditional research practices while others were an example of community-based research.

View the abstracts with links to full text of all Undergraduate Research Day 2015 items.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 28

The value of reading aloud
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2015) Mullen, Adam; Fenton, Marilyn
“The Value of Reading Aloud” aims to provide a credible, thorough counter-argument to theories suggesting that reading aloud is detrimental to children developing literacy skills. Multiple topics are discussed throughout the piece including, but not limited to: literacy in the classroom, literacy and child development, literacies’ tie to the brain and psychological development. The argument shares theories regarding why some suggest reading aloud can be detrimental. Theories suggest that while reading aloud some children are inattentive, distracted, and inconsistently participate (Rhalmi, 2010, n.p.). While this may be true, many resources are at an educator’s disposal to help remedy issues. Overall, reading aloud is an important part of teaching learners of all ages how to read, listen, and communicate. (Author abstract)
The moon, the creature, and the creator
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2014-04-23) Worth, Elizabeth; Cook, Susan
Throughout history the story of the werewolf has been iconic and represented by the full moon. When the phase of the moon is full, typically normal people grow fangs and hair similar to a dog. Thus the symbol of the full moon has been associated with insanity. In most stories the full moon means that people turn into monsters that roam around and instill terror in people. This symbol has been a part of society for a long time and can even be seen in older works, not just modern ones. Because of this association of being crazy the term lunatic was coined, meaning “affected with the kind of insanity that was supposed to have recurring periods dependent on the changes of the moon” (OED). In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley the moon is used to help make the creature into a monster. The creature’s violence increases whenever the moon is out, and this violence leads to Victor’s downfall. Whenever the creature does something evil the moon is described depicting the insanity that is slowly consuming Victor. There is the relationship of the moon, which affects the monster who then affects Victor, so the moon is indirectly causing Victor to be consumed by insanity. There is a close association of Victor and the moon because nature is showing the violence of something unnatural like the monster. The moon is showing Victor the unnatural horror of the creature he has created as his punishment for being the creator. The notorious symbol of the moon illustrating insanity is used throughout the novel to show how the creature is slowly making Victor insane and the moon is very much demotic in character because it reveals the creature to Victor. (Author abstract)
Proposal for the establishment of the SNHU arboretum
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2015) Weinstein, Michael; York, Kate
Southern New Hampshire University’s Manchester campus is currently experiencing tremendous growth. With rapid development following increased enrollment, the school’s natural and ecological heritage is quickly disappearing. This paper proposes an alternative form of development: the preservation and cultivation of ≈20-35 acres of forested land on the campus for the purposes of creating an Arboretum. This research shows the immense benefits to both the school and community at large by such an initiative, including, briefly: providing unparalleled and unique educational and academic opportunities for students both on campus and at local schools; increased recruitment and retention of both highly-qualified students and faculty; serving as a flagship for support and promotion of the school’s sustainability efforts; raising local awareness of environmental and social issues; and benefiting the health and safety of the entire community. Additionally, this research shows high levels of support for the Arboretum from the community and the faculty of SNHU, as it directly supports responsible school growth, the UC Strategic Plan, the Manchester Neighborhood Health Improvement Strategy, the State of New Hampshire’s Priority Forest Landscapes, and the Governor’s proclamation of 2015 as “A Year of STEM,” among many other initiatives. With suitable forested land rapidly being swallowed by “hard” development and construction, and a critical need for unique STEM education opportunities, it is imperative that the school act now to set aside this natural landscape. The Arboretum has unequaled potential to provide the utmost benefit to the students, staff, faculty, and local and statewide communities for generations to come. (Author abstract)
Role-playing games
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2015) Undercofler, Michael; Brillant, Ed
I will be developing a role-playing/survival video game set in medieval times. The game combines many popular elements from current role-playing games, such as World of Warcraft, Runescape, and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. To keep it simple, and since I am working by myself, I will attempt to include a little bit of modeling, art, animation, programming, and music. The player will be able to start the game, talk to a non-player character to receive a quest, craft a weapon, kill an enemy, and turn in the quest to level up. Additional functionality will be added based on time constraints. (Author abstract)
Hollywood novel field research
(Southern New Hampshire University, 2015) Sudiaman, Natasha; Les Becquets, Diane
I am going out to Los Angeles during Spring Break to experience Hollywood life in person. I will be going to a live filming of a TV show and seeing a movie premiere. The reason for my trip is to do research for my novel in progress, The Other Side of Desire. My story is about a girl from Boston who becomes a famous actress and her guy best friend who she left behind back home. It's about how their lives change over the course of three years and how fame affected her. I have never been to Hollywood and therefore I lack the expertise to accurately illustrate the life of an actress. After my trip, I can finish writing the second half of my novel and properly portray the lime light life of celebrities. (Author abstract)

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