Midland University Fall Research Fair 2022
JOIN US IN CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS!
Students are presenting their projects at the annual Luther College of Arts & Sciences Research Fair. The students have been working diligently throughout the semester on their various learning experiences. Students will showcase the summary of these accomplishments through their presentations at the fair. It is an exciting opportunity to recognize and celebrate our students’ accomplishments!
Learn more about these projects in the Research Fair Program or below in the virtual presentations.
Congratulations to our Fall 2022 Research Fair winners!
Experiential Research
- 1st – Malorie Poessnecker
- 2nd – Kamalamaokapomahealani Lewis, Villiami Makoni, and Isiah Bautista
Inquiry & Evidence-Based Research
- 1st – Braydon Woodward
- 2nd – Franciska Lucio and Charles Buckley
Primary Data – Explanatory Research
- 1st – Ty Peterson
- 2nd – Cole Lundy
Click on the image to open the program
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The police are constantly discussed in headlines and the public may form varying opinions based on what they consume among other factors. The goal of this project is to examine how the general population views the police force in the United States and how these views may vary depending on certain criteria and academic literature on the topic.
This project works to better understand the different qualities that are involved in friendships and how those affect a college students’ mental health. One hundred Midland University students were surveyed and were asked about their thoughts on their best friend and the relationship between them, along with questions about their mental health.
The goal of this project is to gather information and opinions from Midland University students about the legalization of recreational marijuana. Various demographic factors are explored, as well as looking at the impact of one’s own experience with marijuana influencing their perception on legalization.
College athletes are often put under immense pressure to perform in the classroom and on the field. This pressure can harm the self-worth of these young adults. This research looks into how it affects Midland University’s student athletes specifically.
College sports are one of America’s favorite past times and something we invest a considerable amount of money into. Much of that money goes into the school’s budget for a variety of things, but not directly to the athletes who make money for the school. The question this rises is whether the athletes should be paid for all their hard work, or are the scholarships they earn enough payment?
The purpose of this study is to learn about participant’s opinions about the death penalty. This topic is important because society has a moral obligation to prioritize the safety and welfare of its citizens, whether that be the citizens in the community or the citizens facing trail with the potential of the death penalty.
HISTORY
Let’s go back in time to the year 1933. Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany. The USA is struggling through the Great Depression, and who can forget the atomic bomb in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Before we dive right into the war, did you know television and nylon stockings were invented during this time? At the same time, weapons went from gunpowder to automatic handheld guns. This project will provide valuable information on the war, what happened before, during, and after. Also, there are things that may not seem informative, but it will show the ways it connects us to the times back then.
Since the country’s creation, the U.S. has exercised different forms of policies in hopes of reaching its goals. Security, wealth, and the protection of peace are some of the U.S foreign policy’s most important goals. President Washington’s early warning guide against entangling alliances set in motion U.S. foreign policy and the nation’s interaction with others. Using the power of political speeches, influential leaders, and the public reaction grants access to compare and contrast the evolution of Isolationism policy in the U.S during Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II.
During the westward journey there were many paths that seemed easy. Although others didn’t agree on the expansion that was going westbound, some fought to make them agree to it. For example, Indians were not supporters to it, nor was the Mexican government. But why are they mad? Did the United States make a horrible mistake to take others’ land?
It is no question that Americans from 1880 to 1965 went through hardships. Historians have several opinions on what it was like for most Americans during that time period. This research will go into detail of the life of an American citizen. Their thoughts, feelings, hardships, and beliefs towards things like the stock market crash, attack on Pearl Harbor, labor laws, womens rights, and foreign policies made during that time frame. This will leave no unanswered questions on what the time was like. The data will also show how the United States was able to continue to rise even after several major falls.
This research will explore the changes and obstacles encountered by America from 1900-1985. It will determine the effect events like the Great Depression and World War I had on the American people and how the government handled these situations. It will also delve into the everyday life of an American during this time and follow what the average person went through if they were born in this time period. This is important because it puts into perspective the state of the Union during the 1900s by showing it from the eyes of an everyday person.
In 1941, America was still feeling the effects of the Great Depression, the Eastern part of the world was in chaos, and the largest attack on American soil to this point was about to occur. The attack showed the resilience of the American people, and how when a country suffers, the people are willing to step up and provide support when it is needed the most. This presentation will use an abundance of primary documents, including newspaper articles from the time within the area and first person accounts from before and after the attack. The attack will also provide outside perspectives from other countries and the people outside of Hawaii, showing all of the emotions that ran through the American people.
Manifest Destiny is regarded as one of the first foreign policies to be established in the United States, primarily influenced by religious ideologies, desire for economic gain, and fixation to expand geographically, all of which date back prior to the country’s founding. Analysis of significant events in U.S. history, such as the Louisiana Purchase, the Spanish-American War, and the Annexation of Texas, prove how the ideology of Manifest Destiny was at the forefront of American decision-making. From the beginning of the United States to today, Manifest Destiny still holds influence over every aspect of the United States’ foreign policy.
Why did the United States remain neutral at the beginning of World War II? Many people today do not know that it had been almost two years of brutal warfare before our country had even entered the conflict. What was public opinion like before the attack at Pearl Harbor? Using eye-witness accounts, news reports, and speeches from some of the most influential people in history, I will answer these questions and more.
In 1796, George Washington’s “Farewell Address” warned against entangling alliances, which begins to heavily influence American foreign policy. Washington feared America becoming “too involved” with a foreign alliance, which could jeopardize Americas chance at forming relationships with other foreign powers, as well as risking Americas domestic security. My research explores the shift in American foreign policy, and American foreign involvement, as the meaning of entangling alliances changes alongside political priorities as a result of rising military tensions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Spanish American War ended Spain’s colonial empire. The war began on February 15, 1898 and was ignited when the Spanish sunk the Battleship Maine in the Havana Harbor. As a result of the war, the United States became the new Pacific power of the Western Hemisphere. The new rise in power shifted the position of the United States into a powerhouse that will eventually be vital in later years shown in both of the World Wars as an example. The victory of the United States led to the independence of Cuba and ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to have territorial expansion. The war also allowed the United States to buy the Philippine Islands from Spain for $20 million. Having control of the Pacific Islands between Japan and the United States meant that they would be the dominant force of the Western Hemisphere and have a perimeter to protect their mainland. In the 1900s, the United States showed off their new rise of power when the White Fleet was taken into action. This project will cover different areas about the war such as the perceptions from Europeans and reflecting how impactful this event was over 100 years ago.
An analysis of the United States in World War II and its military and economic help to overthrow the great German empire led by Adolf Hiltler and the Axis powers. This project uses newspaper reports, primary documents, and other sources. Additionally, it will analyze the different histories of American soldiers, their perspectives on the war, and the keys to achieving victory and defeating Axis powers.
The economic and industrial power of the United States brought an end to the Great War, though the horrors of the war drove the population back into the precede policy of isolationism. Following the failure of the League of Nations, the world erupted into unresolved conflict with the second World War. The United States was one of the few countries to come out stronger. The ruins of the war only indicated opportunity. Through the Marshall Plan, the United States was able to sew deep relationships with future allies and boost the economy back home. The United Nations created a world congress that was backed by the threat of the U.S. In a single lifetime, the United States had gone from a slumbering giant, to a superpower dictating foreign policy on a global scale.
Before the 19th and 20th centuries, both women and African American men, unfortunately, did not have the right to vote. Contrary to other races and genders having the ability to make patriotic decisions on others’ behalf made their inequality more evident. For that reason amendments, such as the 15th and 19th, allowed these individuals to have a voice in the same patriotic decisions as these other citizens.
African Americans were forcibly brought to North America as enslaved property with absolutely no rights as citizens. After centuries of resistance and struggle, following the Civil War, several laws, such as 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were established advocating for their rights and freedom, in hopes to gain and maintain citizenship. Once granted their basic rights, they began to fight for equality, which has increasingly improved over the years, considering they are now free to be involved in the same activities as other races. The African American population has definitely overcome circumstances that many believed they were incapable of doing; however, to this day there are still many issues that remain.
My research investigates how two landmark Supreme Court cases changed how we view the Fourth Amendment and how it brought two oppressed groups one step closer to equality. The 1961 Mapp v Ohio case brought more clarity to the 4th Amendment and is also known for being a vital ruling when it comes to the Civil Rights Movement. Then, in 2003, the court ruled that most sanctions of criminal punishment for consensual, adult non-procreative sexual activity are unconstitutional in Lawrence v Texas. This case was brought on when police entered a residence on a false report of a weapons disturbance and found Mr. Lawrence engaging in a consensual sexual act with another man and was arrested for it. This was a huge step forward for gay rights. Americans now had a “right to privacy” because of this case.
The founding fathers created a constitution that put up a wall between religion and the state. Since the beginning of the country, however, that wall has been crumbling as American religion has pushed to influence governmental institutions. The Pilgrims came to North America in search of religious freedom. In order for there to be religious freedom in America, the founding fathers knew there needed to be a separation of church and state. Even though there is not one ruling religion in this country like the pilgrims wanted, religion has deeply influenced the three branches of government and blurred the line separating church and state. This project will examine legal precedent and restrictions related to issues such as religious discrimination, reproductive rights, and gender based violence.
With the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade and the 100-year anniversary of women being able to vote, this project takes a deep dive into the 14th and 19th amendments, including reproduction, voting, workplace justice, and social rights. The constraints both amendments have against women and the challenges women face in overcoming those limitations will also be important topics within this project.
In 1917, following the United States’ entrance into World War I, Congress passed The Espionage Act. It was first acted upon two years later, following the conclusion of the first World War. Outspoken socialist Eugene V. Debs was one of the first to be charged with violating the Espionage Act. At the same time as the Debs case, the general secretary of the U.S. socialist party, Charles Schenck, was also facing the United States Supreme Court for disregarding the Espionage Act of 1917. These two landmark cases decided whether speaking out against U.S. involvement in World War I was constitutionally protected under the First Amendment or infringement, on the Espionage Act for hindering the country’s ongoing war.
Due to the rise in mass shootings in the United States, the Second Amendment and its purpose are currently undergoing some serious scrutiny. What once was a right for people to hold the government accountable and defend themselves, is now a tool used to murder fellow citizens. Do changes need to be made to the Second Amendment due to the advancement of firearms, or should it be repealed from The Bill of Rights altogether?
This project is going to look at the history of Women’s rights vs. the rights they now receive. The recent overturn on Roe v. Wade sparked many questions for women within the 14th Amendment. Women are enraged by these recent decisions in the Supreme Court, and going more in depth of what this decision entails is beneficial to this project.
For men and women of all races in the United States, obtaining voting rights for all people was a long, strenuous journey. This project examines two court cases that interpret the application of constitutional amendments. The first case, Guinn v. United States, found grandfather clauses to be in violation of the Fifth Amendment. The second case, Leser v. Garnett, led to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment which guarantees women the right to vote. These two cases, as well as many others, led us to where our country is today with voting rights for all.
From the days of the founding fathers to the modern day social justice movements, the Ninth amendment, beginning with the founding fathers and later and more modern times, and the 15th amendment have been a common card for racial disparity within the American legal system even in the social structure of America itself. Through my project I plan to highlight the constant disparity within the legal system despite these amendments even into the ratification of the 15th amendment, and how despite the strong universal walls you still have racial issues in the American court system.
In 1961, Florida did not appoint a right to counsel in cases that were not charged with capital offense. Because of this, Clarence Gideon, an impoverished white man, was forced to represent himself and was convicted of breaking and entering with intent to commit petty larceny. The significant evidence of the case was a single eyewitness account in the early hours of the morning. Gideon appealed on the basis of the Sixth amendment. He argued that the state of Florida had denied his right to counsel. Since the state of Florida denied the counsel, which brought into question the 14th Amendment, which protects citizens from state laws infringing on rights and liberties, as it unfairly denied due process to a poorer demographic. In addition to examining the circumstances of Gideon v. Wainwright, this project will also connect to broader societal changes which challenged discriminatory laws.
Anne Boleyn is most famously remembered as the mistress and second wife of King Henry VIII. Unfortunately, she fell from grace and was charged with adultery, incest, and conspiracy against the King. As a result, she was executed. However, as historians reassess these charges have been falsified, alongside claims of Anne being involved in witchcraft. Because of inaccurate representations in literature and the media depicting Anne Boleyn, these untrue statements influence Anne Boleyn’s historic reputation. This poses the question: what else about Anna Boleyn is false and why does history accept it?
HONORS
This project discusses the injustices faced by medical doctors during their residency. As they work long hours, living off of coffee and a cot, medical doctors face a range of challenges that have nothing to do with patient care. The rigorous curriculum with extremely limited hours of rest impacts work/life balance, stress, and overall happiness. These poor working conditions impact patient care and can often lead to mistakes in diagnosis and treatment. This project examines examples of this phenomena and potential solutions.
Inequality has been a longtime epidemic in America. This is especially true in terms of accessibility to healthcare. If a person has an intellectual disability, their healthcare outcomes are even worse. By analyzing the current healthcare system’s values and ideas, this research project will explore the current healthcare status for the intellectually disabled to answer the question: What laws justly or unjustly deliver quality treatment to this population?
My research does a deep dive on the medical injustices going on in the United States. Historic examples of healthcare inequality include: eugenics, institutionalizations, medical experimentation, abuse, and neglect. In my research I will bring to light these experiences of these injustices in the real world and talk about eugenics, institutionalizations, medical experimentation, abuse, and neglect. These examples will explain how these injustices have affected lower income families. Ultimately, this project ponders the question, should the income of an individual affect the access of healthcare?
Looking across the nation at the criminal justice system, different applications of justice lead to unequal outcomes. Factors such as race, ethnic, and gender identities contribute to these discrepancies. Addressing these inequalities is essential across the nation in order to ensure that biased decisions are eliminated and that there is justice at all points within the criminal justice system. This project is going to look into these disparities and propose solutions to solve them.
Counselors act on a specific set of guidelines called the Code of Ethics, which is created by the American Counseling Association. These guidelines fit into categories addressing the responsibilities of a counselor. For example, the relationship between counselors and clients, the importance of confidentiality, evaluation and assessment, research, etc. Through an examination of various case studies, this project attempts to answer questions about a counselor’s role and offer a deeper understanding of the relationship between counselors and the justice system.
This research project analyzes management in the workplace. Specific topics will include the effects different management styles have on employees, their productivity, and their willingness to produce quality work for the employer. Additionally, this paper will exhibit how management can support and encourage their employees to prevent the potential outcomes of neglecting the needs of their employees and harming progress of determined objectives.
Since the time of the one-room schoolhouse, teachers have had to deal with students of all behaviors and conditions. Strategies such as “one two three eyes on me” and others have been created to promote effective classroom management when students become unfocused. However, when it comes to those in the classroom whose attitudes go beyond control protocols and light scolding, punishments become blurry. What is the most effective way to deal with unruly students? Is it always the student’s fault? What if the teacher is the one in the wrong? To answer these questions and more about the justice system in our schools, educators need to reevaluate classroom discipline and decide which responses are the most effective and appropriate. By doing this, we can also give justice to other areas of education, equal opportunities for all students, closing gaps between age, academic, and societal groups, and reconsidering school rules and their handbooks. By rebuilding the classroom, educators can hopefully find a way to put an end to ineffective traditions and find new ways to properly assist our future generations.
One of the goals of the healthcare system is to provide care for all people. Unfortunately, due to disparities such as language barriers and socioeconomic status, not all people have access to the same care. This leads to unequal treatment of patients through misdiagnosis and low quality care. This project explores the imbalances in patient care and how the healthcare system can be improved to combat these inequalities.
HUMAN SERVICES
My internship is at Nye Legacy in Fremont. This is a place that teaches me to genuinely care for elderly people and respect them. I get to have great conversations with the elderly that are purposeful and fun. I am learning to be passionate about this job and helping the elderly know that they have a purpose.
The Masonic Home is a non-profit group home that serves troubled youth who are struggling to develop in their living situation. The goal is to teach life skills to youth and provide a safe environment, led by supportive houseparents and staff, and provide quality care. I have had the opportunity to work with youth through supervising and participating in after school activities. These include 4-H activities, wood working, and study hour.
I had the opportunity to experience two different internships. With the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services office I worked directly with probation officers in each unit, learning how the services and supervision is provided and how the criminal justice system interacts with offenders to prevent crime. Fremont Area United Way is an organization that works to prevent sociological problems like homelessness and poverty in our community through education, financial support, and health. I have been assisting the director with day-to-day tasks of running the office, as well as attending community response meetings and board meetings.
SOCIOLOGY
This study aims to determine the different social and economic factors that affect college students’ learning experiences at Midland. Do we all have similar experiences because we attend the same university, or do our prior experiences and different demographics separate us?
Based on previous research we know that a parental divorce affects social and romantic relationships, mental health, development issues, etc. The goal of this study is to see how a parent’s divorce affects someone now that they are away at college. Qualitative interviews were conducted to better understand these experiences.
The purpose of this study explores whether there is a difference in individuals who were raised by one parent and those who were raised by two parents. Potential differences examined include an individual’s behavior, mental health, and income levels.
Certain stressors such as the level of involvement and the ability to balance various roles and responsibilities impact necessary duties as a college student. This study aimed to identify how institutional involvement opportunities impact an individual’s mental health. Overall, the data indicated a strong relationship between gender, leisure activity engagement, grade-point average (GPA), and overall worldview.