Navigating the Town and Gown Trope: Community Partnerships through Project-Based Learning
The Partnership, The Project, The Challenges, The Results, The Lessons, Community Partnerships, Project-Based Learning, Town and Gown
With the impetus of incorporating Project-Based Learning into a business writing course, I partnered with the Lancaster Promise Neighborhood, a community organization in Lancaster, SC with a U.S. Department of Education grant to restore and revitalize “The Hill,” an historically Black neighborhood in this former mill town with high rates of poverty and crime, low-performing schools, and poor health indicators. Student teams revised LPN’s grant narrative, wrote an executive summary, and presented their work to LPN’s staff. While ultimately a success that will lead to future collaboration, I initially experienced resistance to my proposal, possibly mistrust surrounding the idea of work LPN would need to do to meet my goals, rather than mutually beneficial work. How do I, as a university representative who is also white, middle class, and female, extend a hand to create a true partnership and avoid reifying a hierarchy where the university imposes its will? The answer came from the basic rhetorical principle of understanding audience. Trust needed to be established, so I abandoned my need to create a formal agreement on my timeline and, instead, honored their timeline and created a less-intense “pilot” scenario, resulting in a successful presentation day and new partnership.
Amy Spangler Gerald
October 2023
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND)
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Impact of Environmental Factors on Floral Scent Emission of Gelsemium sempervirens
floral scent, floral scent emission, SPME arrow, environmental factors, Gelsemium sempervirens, Carolina Jessamine, volatile organic compounds, VOCs, GC-MS
The goal of this project was to study the effects of environmental factors (temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, light intensity, and time of day) on the floral scent emissions of Gelsemium sempervirens. Floral scent emission affects pollinator attraction and can have agricultural implications. Previous research at USCL identified the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from L and S floral morphs in wild and cultivated populations of this plant. That study did not evaluate environmental factors but identified them as a source of variation in the data. For this project I used a new sampling method, the SPME (solid phase microextraction) arrow, which enabled me to monitor floral scent in situ and directly study the impacts of these factors. I hypothesized that total VOCs would increase with later time of day, higher temperatures, lower humidity, and lower barometric pressure. I collected floral scent samples from L morph flowers using the SPME arrow and measured environmental factors using a LabQuest system with temperature, pressure, humidity, and light intensity probes. I analyzed the floral scent compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to determine correlations between environmental factors and floral scent emission. Initial data analysis involved compiling all data into Microsoft excel and transporting it to a statistical analysis package for non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses. The floral scent profiles comprised 174 compounds from all 21 samples (average 53 compounds per sample), with 4 compounds common to all sample which included benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, alpha-farnesene, and alpha-ionone. 3 additional compounds were common to at least 19 of the samples and they included 4-anisaldehyde, benzyl benzoate, and acetophenone. I found that the total scent emission (measured by total GC-MS peak area) appeared to correlate with time of day, temperature, and relative humidity. I observed that VOC quantity increased later in the day, which was consistent with my hypothesis. In addition, I determined that relative amounts of specific VOCs changed throughout the day and floral scent emissions changed with varying environmental conditions. Floral scent profile was strongly correlated to the flower sampled (Pseudo-F=3.5, df=5, P<<0.001; Fig. 2) and not to the time of day (P=0.8) nor temperature (P=0.8). Environmental factors such as relative humidity (P=0.12), rain on the day of a sampling (P=0.16), and barometric pressure (P=0.30) may affect floral scent profile, but further analysis is needed to verify this. This study will lend relevance to understanding the effects of environmental factors on floral scent emission, not only for this flower but also for many similar species. Connections between environmental factors and floral scent will contribute to a better understanding of pollinator visitation patterns and how they are affected by the surrounding environment.
Charis Grabbe
April 2023
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND)
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Exploring Motherhood and Academia: An Autoethnographic Journey at USC Lancaster Through Poetry
Arts-Based Research (ABR), Autoethnography Method, Creative Artwork, Interdisciplinary Study.
"I aim to conduct an autoethnographic study of my personal experience as a mother and college student at USC Lancaster through poetry. My research explores the hallenges, successes, and unique perspectives that arise when balancing the roles of a mother and a student and how the context of attending USC Lancaster shapes this experience."
Karen Peavy
<div class="field two columns alpha">Rights</div>
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<p><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span>Exploring Motherhood and Academia: An Autoethnographic Journey at USC Lancaster Through Poetry </span><span>by </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=karen+peavy&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Karen Peavy</a><span> and </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=sahar+aghasafari&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Sahar Aghasafari</a><span> is licensed under a </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a><span>.</span></p>
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English
An Autoethnographic Exploration of the First-Generation College Experience and Motherhood through the Lens of Poetry
Arts-Based Research (ABR), Autoethnography Method, Creative Artwork, Interdisciplinary Study.
"The research aims to explore the intersection of the first-generation college experience and motherhood through the lens of poetry. The study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities I faced, the first in my family to attend college, and
also navigate the demands of motherhood. By using autoethnography as a research method and poetry as a means of Arts-based Research (ABR) expression, the study seeks to provide my personal perspective on this topic."
Natalee Reese
2023
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span>An Autoethnographic Exploration of the First-Generation College Experience and Motherhood through the Lens of Poetry </span><span>by </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=natalee+reese&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Natalee Reese</a><span> and </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=sahar+aghasafari&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Sahar Aghasafari</a><span> is licensed under a </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a><span>.</span>
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English
Autoethnographic Exploration of First-Generation Mexican- American College Experience Through Visual Arts: A Personal Journey
Arts-Based Research (ABR), Autoethnography Method, Creative Artwork, Interdisciplinary Study.
My research aims to explore my experiences as a firstgeneration Mexican American college student using visual arts, employing the autoethnographic research method. By using visual arts as a means of expression, I aim to convey my experiences and perceptions uniquely and creatively while also providing valuable insights into the cultural and social practices that shape the experiences of first-generation Mexican American college students.
Laura Mariahn Hernandez-Garcia
2023
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span>Autoethnographic Exploration of First-Generation Mexican- American College Experience Through Visual Arts: A Personal Journey </span><span>by </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=laura+mariahn+hernandez-garcia&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Laura Mariahn Hernandez-Garcia</a><span> and </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=sahar+aghasafari&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Sahar Aghasafari</a><span> is licensed under a </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a><span>.</span>
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English
Self-Discovery Through Music: An Autoethnographic Journey
Arts-Based Research (ABR), Autoethnography Method, Creative Artwork, Interdisciplinary Study.
"This research explores the process of self-discovery through music using an autoethnographic approach. The research aims to generate new knowledge and
understanding of how music can be used for self exploration and personal growth. It seeks to document my experiences and reflections on how music has influenced my sense of self, identity, and emotional well-being."
Rylee Jenkins
2023
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><div id="dublin-core-title" class="element">
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<p>Self-Discovery Through Music: An Autoethnographic Journey by <a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=rylee+jenkins&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Rylee Jenkins</a> and <a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=sahar+aghasafari&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Sahar Aghasafari</a> is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
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English
An Autoethnographic Exploration of Mexican American Ethnic Identity among a Vaquero in Rural South Carolina
Arts-Based Research (ABR), Autoethnography Method, Creative Artwork, Interdisciplinary Study.
"This study embodies an autoethnographic approach to explore my
experiences as Mexican American vaquero in rural South Carolina.
Through personal narratives, visual arts, and recent experiences, this
study aims to provide a retrospective view of fitting in and
explaining a Mexican American’s difficulties in this cultural
context. In addition, by illuminating my experiences of Mexican
American vaquero in rural South Carolina. This study seek to better
understand ethnic identity and cultural diversity in America."
Edgar Guzman
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span>An Autoethnographic Exploration of Mexican American Ethnic Identity among a Vaquero in Rural South Carolina </span><span>by </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=edgar+guzman&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Edgar Guzman</a><span> and </span><a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=sahar+aghasafari&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Sahar Aghasafari</a><span> is licensed under a </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a><span>.</span>
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English
Time Spent in Sedentary and Physical Activit in College-Aged Women Based on Body Composition
Physical activity; body composition; transition to adulthood
BACKGROUND: Physical activity is an important contributor to overall health; however, as most young adults transition into college, physical activity decreases and sedentary time increases. Body composition also may change during this time. While these factors have been studied in students at large, public 4-year institutions, less is known about the health habits of students at smaller, commuter-based campuses. The purpose of this study was to examine if differences existed in time spent in physical activity categories (sedentary; light; moderate to vigorous, MVPA) between women with a healthy body fat (HBF) percentage and those considered overfat (OBF). METHODS: 49 traditional-aged (18-25 y), full-time female students at a rural, commuter-based, predominantly two-year university were recruited. Height (cm), weight (kg), and body fat percentage (%fat, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) were measured. Participants were requested to wear an accelerometer during all waking hours for 7 consecutive days. Groups were determined using ACSM recommendations for women: a healthy body fat group (HBF; ≤ 32.0 %fat, n = 21) and an overfat group (OBF, >32.0 %fat, n = 28). A one-way MANOVA was used to determine differences in time spent in physical activity (sedentary, light, MVPA) based on %fat. RESULTS: No significant differences were found for time spent at any intensity level between groups, Wilks’ lambda = .951, F(3, 45) = .773, p = .5151, partial eta squared = .049, (Sedentary time, HBF = 4024.9 vs. OBF = 3848.2 min; Light, HBF = 1380.1 vs. OBF = 1086.2 min; MVPA, HBF = 193.2 vs. OBF = 227.9 min). DISCUSSION: Despite previously reported associations between obesity and physical activity, there were no differences in any physical activity category between the groups. The small sample may have impacted the lack of statistical significance as there seemed to be some practical differences between groups. In particular, the HBF group spent 300 minutes more per week in light physical activity. Perhaps this indicates time spent in non-exercise activity thermogenesis through light activity is a critical factor in our sample. In addition to a larger sample size, other measures of health or health behaviors such as nutrition, sleep, and cardiovascular fitness may have further strengthened our understanding of these groups.
Elizabeth Easley
Sarah H. Sellhorst
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0;" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span>Time Spent in Sedentary and Physical Activit in College-Aged Women Based on Body Composition </span>by <a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=elizabeth+easley&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Elizabeth A. Easley</a> and <a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=sarah+sellhorst&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Sarah H. Sellhorst</a> is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.
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English
Differences in PSDQ Strength Scores between Women with Healthy BMI and Overweight/Obese BMI
BMI
Health Indicators
Strength
PSDQ scores
Body Mass Index
This presentation discusses the differences in PSDQ strength scores between Women with Healthy BMI and Overweight/Obese BMI.
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0;" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span>Differences in PSDQ Strength Scores between Women with Healthy BMI and Overweight/Obese BMI </span>by <a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/search?query=taylor+meadows&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&submit_search=Search">Taylor Meadows</a> is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.
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Vanessa Grout, "Relationship Among Screentime, Body Fat Percentage, and Measured Physical Activity in College Students" (2019)
Body Composition
Physical Activity
College Students
Screentime
Body Fat Percentage
This poster summarizes the relationships among screen-time, body-fat percentage, and measured physical activity levels in college student populations.
April 2019
<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0;" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span>Relationship Among Screentime, Body Fat Percentage, and Measured Physical Activity in College Students</span> by <a href="https://usclmedford.omeka.net/items/show/52">Vanessa Grout</a> is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.
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