2023 STEM/STEAM and Education
PROCEEDINGSAlbers, Nancy D¹; James, Karen E² & Knotts, Tami²
School of Business Administration
University of South Carolina Aiken¹
Aiken, South Carolina
Department of Management and Marketing
College of Business
Louisiana State University, Shreveport²
Shreveport, Louisiana
Title
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in University Hiring Practices
Synopsis
Consistently, universities and other employers include a hiring practices statement on job postings. In some cases, the statement may be as short as a single sentence explaining that the university is an equal-opportunity employer (an EEOC statement). However, in many cases, the job posting contains a detailed description of the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI statement). The purpose of this paper is to explore the content in job posting statements with legal obligations and with employer practices in higher education. This study confirms that while some universities have extensive DEI statements in their position descriptions, it was common for universities to only track a small subset of applicant characteristics, most commonly race and sex. Additionally, it was common for universities to gather information regarding handicap status, but this information was often not used to determine the diversity of the applicant pool. Public policy and managerial implications are provided.
Alzukari, Rawan & Gallo, Kasia
Department of Counseling
Educational Psychology and Foundations
Mississippi State University
Starkville, Mississippi
Title
The Effect of Stress on Academic Achievement
Synopsis
Stress is a common problem for college students that may affect their academic lives. Stress can be defined as an individual’s feeling of instability or unrest while facing difficulties or inability to complete tasks. This literature review synthesizes the findings of 20 recent, peer-reviewed empirical studies investigating the relationship between stress and academic achievement, sources of stress among students, and the differences in stress levels based on gender, major, and academic level.
Baniya, Babu Kaji¹; Iyer, Vasanth²
Computer Science Department
Bradley University¹
Peoria, Illinois
Dept. of Computer Science and Information Technologies
Grambling State University²
Grambling, Louisiana
Title
Disparity of Covid-19 in Different Communities in Louisiana
Synopsis
The surge of covid-19-positive cases and mortality among different communities in the state of Louisiana are concerning. It has affected us in different ways: psychologically, physically (mobility restriction), socially, and economically. It is a global catastrophe and all of us are dealing with multiple challenges due to this. As of 9th April 2023, there are almost 1.6 million covid-19 cases and 18,984 people lost their lives in the state of Louisiana. This pandemic created tremendous pressure.
Chaphalkar, Rachel M
Department of Mathematics
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Title
Pre-service Elementary Teachers’ Conceptual Understanding of Statistics
Synopsis
This study compared two different methods of teaching a unit on statistics taught over a four-week portion of a content course for future elementary teachers. One of the units focused on the statistical process and the other was consistent with a standard textbook. This study used the Levels of Conceptual Understanding of Statistics Test in addition to regular coursework to measure students’ conceptual understanding.
Chen, Guangming; Caballes, Marc J Louise; Alamu, Samuel Oludayo; Ajuwon-Alamu, Margaret; & Isaac, Raphael Okafor
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
School of Engineering
Morgan State University
Title
Inspiring Student’s Interest in Stem Study Through Engagement in Rocketry Research and Activities
Synopsis
This paper discusses the development of a rocketry program at Morgan State University (MSU), involving students in designing and building rockets. It is the first rocket research program at an HBCU in the country, supported by BASE 11 Foundation since 2020. Although the Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected the progress of the program, the MSU rocketry team still made good progress in engaging students in rocket design and related activities. Due to the pandemic impact, the first milestone of the program has been modified to build a more powerful Liquid Propellant Rocket (LPR) and launch it to an apogee of 50,000 feet by the spring of next year, from the original plan of an apogee of 13,000 feet about two years ago. The program has engaged about 20 graduate and undergraduate students in this applied research related to rocket design and rocket launching. These activities have inspired the student’s interest in STEM study and attracted not only MSU students but also summer exchange students from other Maryland institutions supported by the Maryland Space Program Consortium. The students also launched the solid-fuel rocket twice in the past two years as rocket launch practice.
Chen, Won Sun; Boylan, James; & Meyer, Denny
Department of Health Science and Biostatistics
Swinburne University of Technology
Hawthorne, Victoria
Australia
Title
Using Telematics Data to Compare the Braking Behaviour of Female and Male Drivers in Australia
Synopsis
Road traffic crashes have emerged to be the leading cause of death among young drivers globally. Furthermore, male young drivers remain over-represented accounting for almost two-thirds of road traffic deaths worldwide including Australia. The current study aimed to incorporate in-car telematics devices into a naturalistic study setting to compare the braking behaviour of female and male drivers over time. Overall, male drivers demonstrated a greater improvement in their braking scores over time.
Gupta, Shilpa
Industrial and Systems Engineering
San Jose State University
San Jose, California
Title
Experience with Authentic Assessment in a Data Science Classroom
Synopsis
Data Science attracts learners from various disciplines and different levels of fluency with statistical concepts. This paper describes the experience of using systems thinking to design formative and summative assessments for a mixed skill classroom on data science foundations using approaches from student-centric pedagogies. Unstructured assessments provide the feedback loop in creating more meaningful scaffolding assignments to make the learning deeper.
Harris, Jonathan¹; Hays, Tonya²; Wade, Jesse²
Northern Gulf Institute
Mississippi State University¹
Mississippi
Department of Communication
Theatre MSU
Mississippi State University²
Mississippi
Title
Using Improvisational Techniques and Experiential Learning in the STEM/STEAM/STREAM Classroom
Synopsis
Interactive Improv workshop and discussion of techniques and best practices in the use of Improv and theatre arts to enhance student learning in STEM/STEAM/STREAM classrooms and to enhance content retention through improved psychological and social interactions by creating a memorable and enjoyable classroom learning experience to benefit educational outcomes and future societal and workforce needs.
Huo, Yuankai
Computer Science Department
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
Title
Education on Gigapixel Abundant-channel (GIANT) Image Analysis: Application and Challenges
Synopsis
This article introduces the concept of GIANT (GIgapixel AboundaNT-channel) images, which are images with a minimum of one billion pixels and exceeding five channels. These images are obtained through advanced imaging technologies and are proficient in recording an extensive array of data, making them widely applicable in fundamental scientific research. However, the education on acquiring, applying, and analyzing GIANT images in college education presents several significant challenges.
Jegdic, Katarina
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Houston – Downtown
Houston, Texas
Title
Teaching Mathematics and Related Courses at University of Houston – Downtown
Synopsis
We give some strategies and ideas tested in undergraduate mathematics, statistics, and data science courses, as well as in undergraduate research and related projects, for improving both students’ and instructor’s engagement, motivation, and achievements. The main principles include creating an environment with traditional lectures involving theory and computational examples and a two-way communication between the instructor and the students. Student participation is crucial for motivating the instructor to deliver clear and concise lectures and to explain the material effectively.
LaRoche, Ashton Wesley & Cankaya, Ebru Celikel
Department of Computer Science
University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, Texas
Title
Glossa: A Self-driven Language Learning Tool
Synopsis
In this paper, we introduce Glossa in detail and provide its execution results along with performance comparisons with similar tools. The experimental results demonstrate that our tool is superior to those implementations that are currently available for comparison.
Mao, Hong¹ Ostaszewski, Krzysztof² & Wang, Jin³
Business and Economic School
Shanghai Second Polytechnic University¹
China
Department of Mathematics
Illinois State University²
Illinois
Office of Information Security, China³
Title
Dynamically Relative Value at Risk, Relative Expected Shortfall and frequency equivalent level of VaR and ES with Two Correlative Stochastic Processes
Synopsis
The calculation of dynamic value at risk (VaR), when cumulative investment and interest rate are relative stochastic processes, is discussed. The dynamically relative value at risk (RVaR) is presented. Analysis of sensitivity of relative value at risk to the change of important parameters is carried out with the help of Monte Carlo simulation. We also discuss dynamically expected shortfall (ES) and relative expected shortfall (RES). Comparison between VaR, RVaR, ES and RES is illustrated with an example. Finally, we study how to determine dynamic frequency equivalent level with an example.
Miyamoto, Yukinobu
Faculty of Business Administration
Kobe Gakuin University
Kobe, Hyogo,
Japan
Title
A Practical Example of Programming Education
Using a 3DCG Development Tool with a Physics Engine
Synopsis
In this paper, we describe an approach to get students interested in programming by having them learn 3DCG development at the same time as programming. Unity, a 3DCG development application with a physics engine, was introduced as the tool used, giving priority to the visual interest and the richness of the CG object library. Although most of the students had little programming experience, they were able to work on the project with great interest until its completion.
Nauth, Mikhail
Department of Data and Analytics
NYC Health & Hospitals, USA
Queens, New York
Title
Comparison Study of Threshold Modeling Implementation in Python & R
Synopsis
Extreme Value Analysis (EVA) focuses on rare events in large datasets. The Generalized Extreme Value Distribution (GEV) and the Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) are two common probability distributions used in (EVA). Threshold Modeling is an important aspect of this analysis. Although R is commonly used for Threshold Modeling, this paper shows that a Python-exclusive library can perform all the necessary functions for this type of analysis.
Smeureanu, Gabriela¹; Medina-Ramirez, Christina²; Lee, Jihyee³; Placa, Nicora³; & Nick, Christine³
Chemistry Department
Hunter College CUNY¹
New York, New York
Skirball Science Learning Center
Hunter College CUNY²
New York, New York
Department of Curriculum and Teaching
Hunter College CUNY³
New York, New York
Title
FRESH – A New Model for Retention of 1st-Year Students Enrolled in First Year STEM Courses at an Urban Public HSI
Synopsis
Hunter College is a diverse, urban, Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) located in New York City. While many Hispanic students are interested in the STEM fields of biology and chemistry at Hunter, disproportionately few Hispanic students persist and graduate in these majors due to challenges in their first year STEM gateway courses.
First year General Chemistry course at Hunter College is a high impact course for STEM majors with a large enrollment of ~850 students each semester and it is a gatekeeper course for first-year college students. Although our institution is not alone in this challenge, we have prioritized implementing interventional strategies to improve equity and reduce gaps first to second year retention in STEM disciplines at Hunter College Project FRESH (First-year Retention & Equity in STEM at Hunter). This project aims to transform first-year STEM education using high-impact practice such as Summer and Winter Bridge Programs, one to one first year STEM advising, STEM Saturdays and FRESH Fridays, for incoming freshmen enrolled in 1st year STEM lecture courses and laboratories.
Stanley, Stephanie¹& Sivakumaran,Thillainatarajan²
Online Student Success
Arkansas State University¹
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Enrollment Management and Global Outreach
Arkansas State University²
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Title
Career Preparedness: Discovering the Needs of Online Students Regarding Resources for Transition Out of College
Synopsis
This paper provides insight into Arkansas State University’s online career center and methods to broaden student opportunities. The opportunities include assistance to obtain both in-person and remote employment after graduating. Specific research will focus on students preparing for graduation and their meeting preference, career type, and level. This research aims to assist program growth and pave the way for other universities to provide career assistance for online students.
The research study explores strategies for the Online Career Center staff at Arkansas State University to support online students. The research will look at the effectiveness of the programs and improvements that are needed to support online students enrolled at A-State regarding all career needs.
VanDeGrift, Tammy
Computer Science
Shiley School for Engineering
University of Portland
Portland, Oregon
Title
Students’ Reflection on Computer Science, the Liberal Arts, and the Greater Good
Synopsis
The presentation will describe an assignment used in a computer science capstone course to help students explore how they can use computing skills for the greater good and reflect upon how the core curriculum has prepared them for the profession. In addition to providing the assignment, an analysis of what students chose for their activities and the emergent themes related to the core curriculum will be provided. Students also completed an optional survey about how this activity prepared them.
Zhang, Jing¹; Galante, Dianna¹; & Scupin, Abbey²
Division of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Governors State University¹
University Park, Illinois
Lemont Township High School District 21²
Lemont, Illinois
Title
Understanding and Teaching Functions Using a Rigorous Approach
Synopsis
Calculus is the first important course for all students who want to pursue STEM education and career. However, many high school graduates who are accepted by colleges do not understand the function concept well and are not ready to take calculus. This paper will discuss the connection between learning and teaching functions and propose a rigorous approach to teach functions for mathematics majors including pre-service/in-service teachers.