Student Scholarship and Creative Achievement Conference

Student Scholarship and Creative Achievement Conference

Abstracts

Presentation Abstracts
Alphabatized By Name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Title of Work:	Software Engineers Engineering Tests
Presenters, Majors:	Cole Cameron, Computer Science Jeff Darchuk, Computer Science Kehzang Wu, Computer Science
Faculty Sponsor:	Susan Rosselet
Abstract: The goal of software engineering is to produce useful software for clients, software that is customized to fit their needs. For 35 years, the Mathematics Department has held its annual Northern Minnesota Mathematics Contest for high school students, targeting the schools in the northern tier of the state. A growing collection of questions has accumulated over the years, questions typed on index cards and stored in boxes. This year’s Software Engineering class was approached with a request to help automate the processes of adding and editing questions, tracking the subject areas and difficulties of the questions, and creating an interface mechanism to help the faculty more easily generate the actual tests. Additionally, the software allows the faculty to select the criteria desired in the test and then generates a sample test by randomly selecting questions to match that criteria. Such a sample test can then be fine-tuned by the faculty.

Title of Work:	Comparing Lake Characteristics with Fish Species Present
Presenters, Majors:	*John Carrier,** Science Education
Faculty Sponsor:	Debbie Guelda
Abstract: The fish species and lake characteristics of seven Minnesota lakes, Vermilion, Bemidji, Cass, Rainy, Kabetogama, Red, and Leech were studied. Fish species present in these lakes were cross referenced with the physical and chemical characteristics and patterns were then identified. The data was obtained from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) using both the MNDNR website and the MNDNR staff. Many different characteristics of the lakes appeared to have an effect on fish species present. This was especially true with the sauger and small mouth bass species. These species seemed to prefer more distinct ranges such as lower PH and higher water clarity than the other fish. These conclusions will be able to help us in the future in identifying important factors in our lakes.

Title of Work:	*Distribution and Abundance of Aquatic Earthworms (Oligochaeta) Related to Depth in Lake Bemidji, Minnesota*
Presenters, Majors:	Mason Colby, Aquatic Biology
Faculty Sponsor:	Donald Cloutman
Abstract: This study explored depth distribution and abundance of freshwater earthworms in Lake Bemidji, Minnesota, during fall 2007. The depth preferences of various taxa will be described and discussed relative to their use as biological indicators.

Title of Work:	Authority Formation in College Classrooms
Presenters, Majors:	Nuwoe Cooper, Psychology
Faculty Sponsor:	Colleen Greer
Abstract: This study focuses on authority formation in classroom setting. Classrooms are interactive environments in which faculty and students are engaged in synergic role assimilation. In these environments, authority is usually viewed as traditional, a predefined association where instructor governs and leads the class; often there are unconventional occurrences that enhance or diminish that authority. Blumer (1969) refers to unconventional occurrences as symbolic interaction. These symbolic interactions play a strong role in students’ motivations to learn (Yohanan, 1991). My research is a participant observation study of a college classroom at Disneyland University (pseudonym). Participants’ observation occurred in two different classroom settings, an entry level course and a graduate level. Faculty were also interviewed. The results suggest that classroom roles and authorities are created out of different types of reciprocated interactions. Some interactions are legitimized because they are perceived as enhancing learning while others are negatively sanctioned because they reduce cohesiveness.

* Honors Program Student
+ Graduate Student

Bemidji State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.