Undergraduate Research

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Bridging the Gender Gap in the Field of Engineering
(2018-11-29) Hudelson, Lauren
Despite efforts to increase female representation in STEM careers, the engineering field has struggled to recruit more women. While women make up half of the undergraduate population, only twenty percent of undergraduate engineering students are female (Yoder, 2017). In this paper, I explore aspects throughout women’s education and career that inhibit and discourage them from pursuing engineering. I examine factors in high schools, universities, and the industry that directly or indirectly affect women’s interest in STEM subjects. I researched the role of policies in enforcing this underrepresentation and how mentors and people in leadership positions can bridge the gap. I also focus on any societal and career expectations that make it difficult for women in these careers. I examine initiatives that have already been taken to increase female representation within engineering and then analyze how they have been effective and where they can still be improved. Using this research, I will outline a few tangible steps that can be taken by schools of all education levels, but Milligan specifically, in recruiting more women to the STEM field and retaining them in these careers.
Come On In . . . But Not You: The South's Lack of Hospitality to Immigrants
(2018-12-08) Brokaw, Hannah
In this research paper, I will explore the disparity between the ideal of southern hospitality and the antagonism exhibited toward immigrants in the South. Although the South is frequently associated with hospitality, immigrants to the South often experience hostility instead. I will discuss the modern conception of southern hospitality and its historical development. I will look at the effects of racism in molding a fearful southern view of immigrants. I will also examine the role that religion has played in shaping the southern worldview, both in the past and today. I will discuss ways in which southern churches can and are advocating for immigrants. I hope to propose some potential solutions which might bridge the gap between southern hospitality and hostility.
Economic Reconciliation in North America
(2018) De la Torre Gonzalez, Luis Esteban
North America is composed by Mexico, United States, and Canada. These three countries have had a history of cultural trouble and reconciliation throughout time but, is it possible for their economies to reconcile? This paper explains the ins and outs of the Mexican economy, the Canadian economy, and the economy of the United States. The purpose of this is to find the benefits and disadvantages of these countries’ economies by finding their similarities and differences. This paper does this by providing an economic analysis of their monetary policies, fiscal policies, and exchange rates. This paper also explains what NAFTA was and what USMCA will be and how these type of agreements affect each country’s economy. Finally, this paper explains under what circumstances the economic reconciliation in North America would be possible and beneficial and under what circumstances it would not.
Engineering and the Flint Water Crisis: Ethical and Technical Shortcomings
(2018-11) Kelly, Ian
Lead poisoning is a devastating health problem that can cause great damage to a community, with the responsibility of protecting communities from lead poisoning often falling to the engineers responsible for designing their water treatment system. In Flint, Michigan, the engineers involved with the design of the system failed to meet the technical demands of designing a water distribution system when they neglected to include corrosion control. In addition to the failure of engineers to properly design the system, the engineers involved behaved in an unethical way that worsened the crisis. The engineers failed to protect the citizens of Flint by failing to meet the technical needs of the water treatment process and failing to live up to the ethical standards expected of them, which all engineers should look at in order to avoid making similar mistakes in the future. I will take a closer look at the relevant research regarding the failures in the engineering design process of Flint, and compare the behavior of the engineering firms involved to what is described in the National Society of Professional Engineer’s code of ethics to illustrate the role that engineers played in the Flint water crisis and the importance of stopping similar mistakes from happening in the future.
Mothers in Prison: Restoring Maternal Bonds and Mental Health
(2018) Kent, Megan
In 2016, the number of women in American prisons was 213,722 (Incarcerated Women and Girls, 2018). This is a 700% increase since 1980, when a total of 26,378 women were incarcerated. Of these prisoners, over 60% have at least one child under the age of 18. Incarceration is a dramatic turning point for the entire family, especially in the case of single mothers who are forced to separate from their children. These mothers lose connections with their children, further increasing recidivism rates. Children without a stable homelife or children living around criminal lifestyles are less likely to escape their environment's unlawful behavior, further advancing cycles of deviancy. Changing the succession of recidivism and inherited crime habits comes in the form of redesigning our criminal justice programs. One newly emerging option for incarcerated mothers is prison nursery programs. A limited number of institutions in the United States today will accept women along with their children and, if they do, many stipulations restrict the woman's full ability to create a healthy attachment, as well as a successful integration back into society. In this work, I will explore how the criminal justice system can improve upon the female prisoner's rehabilitation process by creating more mother-and-child bonding programs, as well as adding a mental-health curriculum. With these additions, I believe that recidivism rates will likely decrease due to prison nurseries and mental rehabilitation programs organized for female prisoners.
Origin of Life: The Reconciliation of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Between Divergent Religions
(2018-12-12) Hyder, Amy
Embryonic stem cell research is a field of study that continuously develops. From the commencement of science, starting with philosophers such as Aristotle to modern science, different religions have always seemed to take opposing sides concerning the beginning of life. This issue is crucial, as one’s religious affiliation offers insight into what it means to be human and the moral status of an embryo. The question asks whether an agreement between religions is even possible, and if so, how would it look? Research has shown that there are several approaches to provide insight to this question, those being religious, philosophical, and scientific perspectives regarding the ethics of embryonic stem cell research, although it is not clear if any of these views can provide a concrete answer for the pressing issues formed by embryonic research. Although these ideas cannot necessarily propose a solution for this kind of research, they can provide a framework to understand the foundations of the argument and why differing religions have conviction for their beliefs.
The Process of Forgiveness: Reconciliation between Female Domestic Abuse Survivors and their Perpetrators through the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(2018-12-10) Hyder, Andrea
Forgiveness is an essential element in Christian doctrine, and Christians are expected to forgive others of their wrongdoings. Although it is our duty as Christians to forgive others regardless of their crimes against us, it is difficult to implement the concept of unconditional forgiveness in the context of domestic abuse against women. Focusing on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ideas of forgiving others, I will defend that forgiveness should be looked at with sympathy regarding abused women. While women who undergo domestic abuse should be respected, biblical passages that address forgiveness must also receive reverence. I examine the bitterness that makes it difficult for abused women to forgive their perpetrators, as well as putting the struggle of offering forgiveness in context with Bonhoeffer’s sermons and his life during Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. Furthermore, I address what forgiveness looks like between abused women and their perpetrators. As Christians, we should examine Bonhoeffer’s works to understand why extending forgiveness remains problematic for women who endure domestic violence.
Reconciliation of Christianity with the People of Silicon Valley
(2018-12-13) Kelly, Ryan
Silicon Valley leads the world in technological innovation. Because of this, Silicon Valley is one of the most influential places in the world. Unfortunately, there is a division between Silicon Valley and the Christian Church causing the Church to have less of a voice in this influential area. This division can be seen in the fact that less than half of the people of Silicon Valley are Christian. This project will explore the causes of this division. One of the main causes is that Silicon Valley’s political and religious views vary greatly from many of those in the Christian Church, leading to misunderstanding and resentment between the two groups. This project will explore these differences, and how the Church can begin to resolve them. This project will also investigate how Christians can prevent technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, from contributing to this division. By assessing the individual causes of this division, this project will show how the Church can begin the process of reconciliation with Silicon Valley.
Reconciling Retail
(2018) Black, Garrett
As e-commerce and superstore retail continue to overtake the market share of retail sales an increasing number of brick-and-mortar retailers will struggle to keep customers and make the most profitable use of their space. Without proper planning and foresight, many retailers will go out of business and our towns will see an increase in abandoned buildings and underutilized land. There are many exciting options for owners of retail space to repurpose buildings in order to adapt or respond to the e-commerce boom if they are willing to break from the standard retail approach and embrace uncommon ideas of space utilization, brand marketing, and customer acquisition. I will explore the circumstances leading to the current state of the retail industry, detail options available to current retailers looking to adapt to the change, and provide non-retail examples that provide for financial or community profit. I hope to provide a different approach to retail with concepts that would afford the most economic use of resources.
Serving the Underserved: Reconciling Healthcare Needs and Availability in Vermillion County, Indiana
(2018-11) Sheppard, Kate
Vermillion County, Indiana, suffers from a severe lack of healthcare resources that are essential in providing a healthy lifestyle for the people who live there. Healthcare is compromised by many factors including healthcare illiteracy, lack of healthcare affordability, accessibility, and availability. Vermillion County also lacks specialist doctors who are essential in providing care for specific diseases and conditions that cannot be treated in a short-term care facility. The poverty rate only exacerbates the inferiority of the healthcare status of the residents of Vermillion County. The cost of hospital and doctor visits without insurance, the lack of transportation to and from doctor appointments or the emergency department, and the lack of funds for medications and treatments as a result of the poverty rate makes healthcare even less obtainable. I plan to identify what can be done in Vermillion County in terms of availability, accessibility, and affordability to reconcile the healthcare system and to improve healthcare as a whole in Vermillion County, Indiana.

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Browsing Undergraduate Research by Subject "2018 Sophomore Research Conference"

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