http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/211 Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Day http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/34692 Reviewing for exams: do crossword puzzles help in the success of student learning? Davis, Tricia Shepherd, Brooke The goal of this project was to further our understanding of how students learn. Does reviewing for exams using certain teaching methods actually enhance students' learning of course material? Through a comparative analysis of two sections of the same class, we tested to see if using crossword puzzles as a "fun" review technique actually affects students' exam scores as evidence of successful learning. Poster with text detailing research conducted by Dr. Tricia Davis (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) and Brooke Shepherd that investigates whether or not using crossword puzzles as a review aid for exams affects students' exam scores. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/34559 Mapping the past: determining the best method with which to animate historical maps March, Justin This research involves testing the effectiveness of two forms of cartographic animation (tweening and non-tweening). Primary information was collected using test groups. Secondary information includes conceptual data of the arguments for and against each animation form as well as a graphic visualization on the information that the test groups were given. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Justin March in which he examines the effectiveness of tweening in the field of animated cartography. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/24576 Supplementing fatty acids to improve sperm characteristics Adams, Leah Research was conducted to determine whether the supplmentation of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to the diets of miniature stallions would affect the motility and viability of their sperm following cooling and freezing. This study is important, as some stallions are unable to ship semen because their semen has poor tolerance to cooling and freezing procedures. Results for this study are inconclusive as of yet, but it could potentially make it possible to ship semen from many more sires, thus increasing the number of sires available to breeders across the country. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Leah Adams, advised by Dr. Kristina Hiney (University of Wisconsin-River Falls), to determine whether the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids would improve the post-thaw progressive motility and viability of stallion spermatozoa. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/24574 The impact of Cooperative Guided Reflection on student learning: the case of optimization problem solving in Calculus I Tomlinson, Kathy We examine the influence of Cooperative Guided Reflection (CGR) on student learning in the optimization unit in Calculus I. The investigation uses both quantitative and qualitative methodologies: pre and post surveys of student understanding and attitudes about problem solving; comparison of exam performance between treatment and control groups; and analysis of students' written work. The study finds a qualitative positive impact of CGR, with no significant effect on exam scores. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Dr. Kathy Tomlinson (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) on the use of Cooperative Guided Reflection to improve student learning on optimization problem solving in Calculus I. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/24572 A case for using locally grown food on campus Townsend, Justin As The University of Wisconsin River Falls has made the decision to be at the forefront of sustainable community development in the region, it becomes very important to look at all aspects of campus. Since our current food service contractor uses unsustainable practices, I researched the possibilities and benefits of using our local food stocks. My research was primarily looking at hidden costs of the food we eat here on campus based on previous research done by ecologists and economists. I also studied the feasibility of using our local food stock by using other universities, local programs, and our current use of local products. What I discovered was two important facts about our food services on campus. First, it was not sustainable and promoted a system that harmed our local economy, our neighbors, and the environment around the globe. Secondly, I found if we made a few changes in procurement our food services could provide a higher degree of freshness and nutrition to River Falls' students and staff. The conclusion I came to is that UW-River Falls should support imposed guidelines that tell our food service how much they must spend in our community. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Justin Townsend, advised by Dr. Kelly Cain (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) on the idea of using locally grown food on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/11461 Using DNA fragments to measure genetic variability within a natural stand of wild rice in northwestern Wisconsin Downes, Diana Understanding site criteria for the preservation of genetic variability in American wild rice (Zizania palustris) is necessary if healthy wild rice populations are to remain viable. Leaf samples were collected on a single day, from a wild-grown stand of approximately 45 acres location in northwestern Wisconsin. Characteristics of each plant and site criteria were recorded at the time of collection. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) was used to assess genetic variation. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Diana Downes, advised by Dr. Kim Mogen (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that used DNA fragments to measure the genetic variability of a natural stand of wild rice in northwestern Wisconsin. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/7947 Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Flowering and Plant Quality of Potted Ranunculus Asiaticus Rud, Nicole Ranunculus asiaticus is an important horticultural crop, both in cut flower and potted plant production; however a thorough production method for potted ranunculus has not yet been fully established. This experiment examined the roles of temperature and photoperiod in producing a quality potted crop. Color poster with text describing the research conducted by Nicole Rud, advised by Dr. Terry Ferriss (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) examining the effects of temperature and photoperiod on the flowering and plant quality of potted Ranunculus asiaticus. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6844 A walking exploration of the pilgrimage route El Camino de Santiago Crownhart, Andrea In the fall of 2005, I walked the pilgrimage route El Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. During my time on the Camino, I interviewed fellow pilgrims to discover why people want to complete this pilgrimage, as well as evaluating my own experiences as I walked. Color poster with text describing the research project conducted by Andrea Crownhart, advised by Dr. Margarita Hendrickson (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that examined the pilgrimage route El Camino de Santiago. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6593 MINDS@UW: a digital institutional repository service Southworth, Heidi Malzacher, Valerie In spring 2005, Chalmer Davee Library took the first steps towards sponsoring a presence for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the MINDS@UW project. MINDS@UW is a digital institutional repository service that is intended to provide a "safe haven" for published and unpublished electronic content of any discipline and is designed to capture, store, index, distribute and preserve the intellectual output of the university. By August 2005, the Library had posted its first collection to the site. Working in collaboration with the University’s Office of Grants & Research, this first collection consisted of undergraduate student and faculty posters from the 2005 Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Day (RSCA day). Now, the Library is taking the next step towards establishing more collections within the MINDS@UW project and invites you to offer feedback and discuss with us your questions on this exciting new service. Color poster with text describing the efforts of Heidi Southworth and Valerie Malzacher from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls' Chalmer Davee Library to establish a presence for the University in the MINDS@UW project. The poster provides a general overview of institutional repositories and the MINDS@UW project. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6591 Determination of reinforcer value in rats with an adjusting-delay choice procedure involving a correspondence between location and amount of reinforcement Ridge, Thomas Linwick, Daniel Many models of reinforcement value predict that an animal should value a large delayed reinforcer more than a small immediate reinforcer. However, as the delay between choices and presentation of the large reinforcer increases, eventually, an animal should value the small reinforcer more highly. The current experiment employed a discrete-trials choice procedure to test these predictions. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Thomas Ridge, advised by Dr. Daniel C. Linwick (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that assessed self-control in rats and evaluated a quantitative model that included a delay-of-reinforcement parameter. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6585 Calculating discharge energies needed to transport largest boulders within eskers Karlstad, Paul One main sediment transport feature within glaciers is eskers created by water from melting glacial ice. During times of rapid melt the amount of sediment that can be transported is at a maximum as well as the size of grains that can be transported. From the remnants of eskers I looked at these maximum flow events. The areas of investigation have been the northwestern portion of Wisconsin and the northeastern portion of Minnesota. These esker remnants are being investigated to find the unusually large grains infrequently transported during times of maximum discharge, and with that, find the maximum amount of energy in eskers. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Paul Karlstad, advised by Dr. Robert Baker (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) on calculating the energy necessary to transport large boulders within eskers. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6575 A research internship at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Regan, Erin Ferriss, Terry Through a USDA Challenge Grant, tissue culture, Cedrus germination, and propagation of new plant material was researched at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Field trips to study the management structures of local gardens with the Longwood Graduate Fellows and Graduate Director Dr. Robert Lyons complemented the research activities. Color poster with text describing research and work conducted by Erin Regan, advised by Dr. Terry Ferriss (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) during an internship at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The internship involved working with tissue cultures of Cannas and Chrysanthemums, germination of Cedrus seeds, and propagation of a variety of different plants. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/6572 Making the transition : we can't control everything, but we can control some things Dierkhising, Terri Spears, Katrina Berna, Jennifer Following class discussion of two photo journalism articles sourced from “Mother Jones” magazine on physical rehabilitation in the aftermath of soldiers’ return from serving in Iraq, research was conducted regarding a holistic approach to periods of transitions for military families. Transitions that test and stretch the health and well being of individuals and family members include departing for, and returning from military deployment. This research poster provides helpful hints for reunion, shares stories and insights of personal courage and fortitude during health rehabilitation, and focuses on “real life” vignettes of military families reuniting. The back of the poster was utilized to reinforce components of character development emphasized through educational and health promotion programming. Two photographs taken of a color poster describing research conducted by Terri Dierkhising and Katrina Spears, assisted by Dr. Jennifer S. Berna (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that examines a holistic approach to periods of transition for military families of soldiers returning home from Iraq. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/343 Efforts to establish a GFP-ERV env expression vector using trophoblast cell cultures as target gene source. Schimmel, Sarah Lyden, Timothy The purpose of this project is to clone the envelope gene of human endogenous retrovirus-W (hERV-W) into a commercial GFP containing expression vector. This is being pursued in order to generate a fusion gene for use as a marker in several of our placental studies. This gene, HERV-W was reported and subsequently confirmed to be the protein which mediates developmental cellular fusion in the trophoblast of normal human placenta. Our lab is very interested to construct this vector to aid in studies focused on cytoskeletal changes in the normal placental trophoblast. Color poster with text describing research conducted by Sarah Schimmel and Dr. Timothy Lyden (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that examines the effort to clone the syncytin gene into an eGFP expression vector for use in studies directed at defining the role and functions of cytoskeletal elements in normal endogenous retroviral mediated cellular fusion. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/302 Operation free Iraq: a gendered content analysis of newspapers Jepson, Niki Davis, Tricia Women have been historical underrepresented in the field of journalism, and it is journalists we mostly rely upon when hearing information concerning war. With the gendered imbalance that exists in journalism, it leads us to question whether we are getting a full picture of what is happening in the war-field. A content analysis of three major newspapers was conducted to investigate: Do men and women write differently from the war field? If they do, what are the consequences of the gender inequality that exists? And, how might a gender-imbalanced reporting structure shape the public’s perception about war? Color poster with text detailing research conducted by Niki Jepson and Dr. Tricia Davis (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) that examines how male and female journalists write about war.