Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Easy, Bright, Fluorescence Demonstration Of Buffer Action, Mariana Dykstra, Yejin Chung, Mark Muyskens

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

We report an attractive update to the demonstration of acid–base buffer action that is appropriate for ease of use and getting attention in the classroom. The twist is based on new fluorophore information and the recent availability of UV flashlights serving as an ideal, portable excitation light source. The pH-dependent fluorescence comes from a choice among three natural sources, namely narra tree wood extract, kidneywood extract, and scopoletin, which is a purchasable coumarin, that all perform equally well. We provide practical details for performing the buffer demonstration at scales of 100 and 1000 mL and give background information for context.

Digitizing Delphi: Educating Audiences Through Virtual Reconstruction, Kate Koury

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Implementing a 3D model into a virtual space allows the general public to engage critically with archaeological processes. There are many unseen decisions that go into reconstructing an ancient temple. Analysis of available materials and techniques, predictions of how objects were used, decisions of what sources to reference, puzzle piecing broken remains together, and even educated guesses used to fill gaps in information often go unobserved by the public. This work will educate users about those choices by allowing the side-by-side comparison of conflicting theories on the reconstruction of the Tholos at Delphi, which is an ideal site because of …

Advancing Cognitive Accessibility: The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Enhancing Inclusivity, Rukiya Deetjen-Ruiz, Marjorie P Daniel, Jennie Telus, Lodz Deetjen

All Works

This editorial examines the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing cognitive accessibility for neurodiverse individuals. It explores the evolution from conventional assistive technologies to sophisticated AI-driven solutions, highlighting how these advancements are reshaping inclusivity in education and the workplace. The piece critically analyzes the benefits and challenges of AI in this context, considering ethical implications, user-centered design, and the need for equitable access. It concludes with a call to action for continued innovation and collaboration in developing AI technologies that truly cater to the diverse needs of neurodiverse individuals.

Crack-Ers (Crack Riddles Applying Cybersecurity Knowledge - Escape Room Scenario), Benjamin Acuff

Posters-at-the-Capitol

CRACK-ERS (Crack Riddles Applying Cybersecurity Knowledge - Escape Room Scenario) is a unique, beginner's level CTF game with riddle-based challenges on various cybersecurity topics. The game is driven by an adventure story-based escape room format. Existing literature indicates that traditional CTFs pose challenges for beginners with no cybersecurity background. The novelty of CRACK-ERS lies in its non-traditional design as an unplugged CTF with an adventure scenario-driven script, encouraging participants to solve cybersecurity-related riddles. CRACK-ERS targets beginner-level learners, fostering teamwork, explorative research, cybersecurity problem-solving, and riddle-cracking skills. Prior cybersecurity educational research notes limited instances of escape room-style CTF games and fewer …

Chatgpt Is A Liar And Other Lessons Learned From Information Literacy Instructors, Melissa S. Del Castillo, Hope Y. Kelly

Works of the FIU Libraries

Wondering where generative artificial intelligence (AI) fits in information literacy instruction? This session will share findings from a recent survey of library professionals on how they are already teaching about and using AI powered ChatGPT in information literacy instruction and where they see potential opportunities and areas of concern. Survey analysis will include information about attitudes, current and anticipated use, and descriptions of teaching methods that leverage the technology. As we navigate the survey results, attendees will have the opportunity to share their own perspectives on the same questions via live polling. We will then turn to attendees to share …

Special Issue On Public Policy: Front Matter

CODEE Journal

The Front Matter contains the Editor-in-Chief's Foreword, a Dedicatory by Associate Editor Douglas Meade, a Preface by the Special Editors Bev West and Samer Habre, and the Table of Contents.

Full Issue - Engaging The World: Differential Equations Can Influence Public Policies

CODEE Journal

This is the full issue (front matter and all papers) of the Third CODEE Special Issue, with the theme, "Engaging the World: Differential Equations can Influence Public Policies."

The Shifting Landscape Of Adolescent Wellness In Boarding Schools: Can Time Spent Off Screens And Outdoors Improve Adolescent Wellbeing?, Kristen H. Peterson

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

For nearly twenty years I have worked directly with adolescents as an independent school educator. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the dorm, I have observed and supported students through their middle and high school experiences. During this time, I have witnessed an alarming shift in adolescent physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Concurrently, I have observed a dramatic increase in the amount of time students spend using screen-based devices, and a decrease in their time spent outdoors.

Using research to ground my anecdotal accounts in empirical understanding, my thesis examines whether or not screen use might help …

Seeing Eye To Eye? Comparing Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Biomolecular Visualization Assessments, Josh T. Beckham, Daniel R. Dries, Bonnie L. Hall, Rarchel M. Mitton-Fry, Shelly Engelman, Charmita Burch, Roderico Acevedo, Pamela S. Mertz, Didem Vardar-Ulu, Swati Agrawal, Kristin M. Fox, Shane Austin, Margaret A. Franzen, Henry V. Jakubowski, Walter R. P. Novak, Rebecca Roberts, Alberto I. Roca, Kristen Procko

Chemistry Faculty Publications

While visual literacy has been identified as a foundational skill in life science education, there are many challenges in teaching and assessing biomolecular visualization skills. Among these are the lack of consensus about what constitutes competence and limited understanding of student and instructor perceptions of visual literacy tasks. In this study, we administered a set of biomolecular visualization assessments, developed as part of the BioMolViz project, to both students and instructors at multiple institutions and compared their perceptions of task difficulty. We then analyzed our findings using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative analysis was used to answer the following research questions: …

Ghostwriter To Co-Author: Helping Students Leverage Ai In The Classroom, Ishani Banerji

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Using Generative Artificial Intelligence For Engaged Student Learning, Janice G. Lanham, Charlotte Branyon

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Requiring Students To Integrate Chatgptinto Course Assignments, Mark Small, Venera Balidemaj

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Language Portraits: A Space To Explore Identities In A Graduate Course, Hazel Vega

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Critical Ai Engagement: Crafting Assignments That Encourage Productive Engagement With Ai, Carl Ehrett

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Hiccups And Hallucinations: Critically Engaging Ai In The Design Classroom, Drew Sisk

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Navigating Anxiety And Activity: Generative Ai And Writing Support, Chelsea J. Murdock

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

The Use And Misuse Of Generative Ai For Photos And Imagery, Erica B. Walker

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Academic Ethics In Ai-Assisted Writing: A Writing Center-Informed Approach, John Falter

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Using Ai In The Teacher Preparation Programs And Social Studies Classrooms, Brandon Beck

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Ai-Enhanced Education: Fostering Creativity, Efficiency, And Future-Ready Skills, Rodger Eugene Bishop

Clemson Teaching Excellence Conference 2024: Teaching in the Age of AI

No abstract provided.

Blue Whale And Krill Populations Modeling, Li Zhang

CODEE Journal

We present an intriguing topic in an undergraduate mathematical modeling course where predator-prey models are taught to our students. We describe modeling activities and the use of technology that can be implemented in teaching this topic. Through modeling activities, students are expected to use the numerical and graphical methods to observe the qualitative long-term behavior of predator and prey populations. Although there are other choices of predators and prey, we find that using blue whales and krill as predator and prey, respectively, would be most beneficial in strengthening our students' awareness of protecting endangered species and its impact on climate …

Nonlinear Dynamics Of Mountain Pine Beetle Populations: Discussion Of Forestry Policy, A Survey Of Existing Mathematical Models, And Code Base Demonstration, Scott A. Strong, Maya Maes-Johnson

CODEE Journal

This article presents existing mathematical models associated with mountain pine beetle populations in lodgepole pine forests, whose reproductive cycle requires the destruction of colonized host trees, decreasing timber availability/quality, and providing fuel sources for wildfires. With the existence of a positive-feedback loop with environmental warming, the need for intervention and management is clear. However, the legislative responses to the focusing events from our 2000-2010 North American epidemics are characterized as under-leveraged. While the reasons for this are multifaceted, increasing the capacity of STEM-informed individuals to take part in quantitative modeling of the underlying ecosystem generates awareness and provides pathways connecting …

Solar Panels, Euler’S Method And Community-Based Projects: Connecting Differential Equations With Climate Change, Victor J. Donnay

CODEE Journal

How does mathematics connect with the search for solutions to the climate emergency? One simple connection, which can be explored in an introductory differential equations course, can be found by analyzing the energy generated by solar panels or wind turbines. The power generated by these devices is typically recorded at standard time intervals producing a data set which gives a discrete approximation to the power function $P(t)$. Using numerical techniques such as Euler’s method, one can determine the energy generated. Here we describe how we introduce the topic of solar power, apply Euler’s method to determine the energy generated, and …

To Open Or Not To Open: Developing A Covid-19 Model Specific To Small Residential Campuses, Christina Joy Edholm, Maryann Hohn, Nicole Lee Falicov, Emily Lee, Lily Natasha Wartman, Ami Radunskaya

CODEE Journal

In May 2020, administrators of residential colleges struggled with the decision of whether or not to open their campuses in the Fall semester of 2020. To help guide this decision, we formulated an ODE model capturing the dynamics of the spread of COVID-19 on a residential campus. In order to provide as much information as possible for administrators, the model accounts for the different behaviors, susceptibility, and risks in the various sub-populations that make up the campus community. In particular, we start with a traditional SEIR model and add compartments representing relevant variables, such as quarantine compartments and a hospitalized …

Fitting A Covid-19 Model Incorporating Senses Of Safety And Caution To Local Data From Spartanburg County, South Carolina, D. Chloe Griffin, Amanda Mangum

CODEE Journal

Common mechanistic models include Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) and Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Removed (SEIR) models. These models in their basic forms have generally failed to capture the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic's multiple waves and do not take into account public policies such as social distancing, mask mandates, and the ``Stay-at-Home'' orders implemented in early 2020. While the Susceptible-Vaccinated-Infected-Recovered-Deceased (SVIRD) model only adds two more compartments to the SIR model, the inclusion of time-dependent parameters allows for the model to better capture the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic when surveillance testing was common practice for a large portion of the population. We find …

Applying The Sir Model: Can Students Advise The Mayor Of A Small Community?, Carrin Goosen, Mark I. Nelson, Mahime Watanabe

CODEE Journal

This is an account of a modelling scenario that uses the sir epidemic model. It was used in a third year applied mathematics subject. All students were enrolled in a mathematics degree of some type. Students are presented with the results of a test carried out on 100 individuals in a community containing 3000 people. From this they determined the number of infectious and recovered individuals in the population. Given the per capita recovery rate and making a suitable assumption about the number of infectious individuals at the start of the epidemic, they then estimate the infectious contact rate and …

Differential Equations For A Changing World:How To Engage Students In Learning And Applying Differential Equations, Biyong Luo

CODEE Journal

In this article, I share my decade-long experience teaching an intensive five-week summer Differential Equation course covering complex topics and tips for creating an interactive and supportive learning environment to optimize student engagement. This article provides my detailed approach to planning and teaching an asynchronous course with rigor and flexibility for each student. An interactive teaching approach and variety of learning activities will augment students’ mathematical fluency and appreciation of the importance of differential equations in modeling a wide variety of real-world situations with special attention to ways differential equations can be relevant to creating public policy.

Modeling Aircraft Takeoffs, Catherine Cavagnaro

CODEE Journal

Real-world applications can demonstrate how mathematical models describe and provide insight into familiar physical systems. In this paper, we apply techniques from a first-semester differential equations course that shed light on a problem from aviation. In particular, we construct several differential equations that model the distance that an aircraft requires to become airborne. A popular thumb rule that pilots have used for decades appears to emanate from one of these models. We will see that this rule does not follow from a representative model and suggest a better method of ensuring safety during takeoff. Aircraft safety is definitely a matter …

Odes And Mandatory Voting, Christoph Borgers, Natasa Dragovic, Anna Haensch, Arkadz Kirshtein, Lilla Orr

CODEE Journal

This paper presents mathematics relevant to the question whether voting should be mandatory. Assuming a static distribution of voters’ political beliefs, we model how politicians might adjust their positions to raise their share of the vote. Various scenarios can be explored using our app at https: //centrism.streamlit.app/. Abstentions are found to have great impact on the dynamics of candidates, and in particular to introduce the possibility of discontinuous jumps in optimal candidate positions. This is an unusual application of ODEs. We hope that it might help engage some students who may find it harder to connect with the more customary …

Raising Student Awareness Of Environmental Issues Via Writing Assignments With Differential Equations, Michelle L. Ghrist

CODEE Journal

In this paper, I discuss two environmentally-focused writing assignments that I developed and implemented in recent integral calculus and differential equations courses. These models of carbon storage and PCB’s in a river provide interesting applications of one-compartment mixing problems. The assignments were intended to focus student attention on sustainability concerns while also developing other essential skills. I discuss these assignments and their effect on my students’ technical writing and environmental awareness. Detailed introductory instructions and mostly complete solutions to these assignments appear in the appendices, to include sample student work.