This data summarizes self-reported student perceptions of their science identity before and after taking my Ecology and Adaptation course (BIOL 131, n = 21) or Environmental Toxicology course (BIOL 392, n = 8). I combined my Fall 2019, Fall 2020, and Fall 2021 BIOL 131 student responses. Pre- and post-data for my other courses had not been collected for this question. A paired t-test showed a 16% average increase in science identity after taking BIOL 131 (p = 0.008). This result is exciting because this course substantially increases science identity among introductory ecology students. Science identity for my BIOL 392 students was expected to be high and have little change because they are juniors or seniors and have taken many science courses by the time they take this one (p > 0.05).
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The images below showcase (A) students engaging in conversations with members from a local community group (Pathways for Radford) and (B, C) students making insect emergence traps from a (D) prototype that was set in (E) Connelly's Run in Wildwood Park, Radford City, Virginia to collect (F) insects. Students for this Spring 2019 course created (G) infographics to summarize their results. This project was a course collaboration with Dr. Tara Pelletier's Genetics (BIOL 231) students and resulted in a publication (in review at Northeastern Naturalist) with undergraduate students!
Presentations by Students at the Winter CARD
Ecology and Adaptation (BIOL 131)
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2021, December 2-3, 2021
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2021, December 2-3, 2021
COVID-19 policies were followed during the field work.
Left: Christina Beane, Gabby Fields, and Helena Willson heading to their next site to collect soil.
Middle: Example of maple leaves in the muffle furnace.
Right: Anthony Esquivel-Tellez, Salvadore Simpson, Arvid Rutledge, Kayla Scott, and Gabe Tieskotter presenting their poster at the Winter CARD.
Left: Christina Beane, Gabby Fields, and Helena Willson heading to their next site to collect soil.
Middle: Example of maple leaves in the muffle furnace.
Right: Anthony Esquivel-Tellez, Salvadore Simpson, Arvid Rutledge, Kayla Scott, and Gabe Tieskotter presenting their poster at the Winter CARD.
Authors
Dean S, G Fields, J Fowler, H Willson, C Beane Tieskotter G, A Esquivel-Tellez, S Simpson, A Rutledge, K Scott Pryor R, A Annan |
Title
The effects of anthropogenic impacts on soil quality Testing the intermediate disturbance hypothesis at Selu Conservancy using an insect assemblage Comparing sugar maple (Acer saccharum) leaf and stem biomass among three locations, Radford City |
Population and Community Ecology (BIOL 333)
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2021, December 2-3, 2021
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2021, December 2-3, 2021
COVID-19 policies were followed during the field work.
Left: Alayna Carter using a sweep net to find the milkweed beetle (image taken by team).
Middle: Hunter Villanueva, Babi Richards, and Maya Banks searching cobbles to find Cheumatopsyche sp.
Right: Abraham Nii, Nathan Nall, Nick Webster, and Ashley Austin presenting at the Winter CARD.
Left: Alayna Carter using a sweep net to find the milkweed beetle (image taken by team).
Middle: Hunter Villanueva, Babi Richards, and Maya Banks searching cobbles to find Cheumatopsyche sp.
Right: Abraham Nii, Nathan Nall, Nick Webster, and Ashley Austin presenting at the Winter CARD.
Authors
Abraham N, N Webster, A Austin, N Nall Passeretti M, L Chittum, E Simmons, H Howerin Banks M, Richards G, Villanueva H, McCann K Cecil W, Ifidzhen M, Mullens M, Albert B Felty S, Gills M, Harris T, Wozniak C Stuart H, B Cox, K Wines, A Carter Gills M |
Title
Hide & seek: The search for the elusive praying mantis Comparative collection methodology for the Eastern Hercules beetle in Radford, Virginia Mapping the distribution of Cheumatopsyche sp. morphotype D in three local streams The search for the handsome fungus beetle The search for the red-legged grasshopper (Melanomas femurrubrum) on Radford University's campus Distribution of small milkweed bugs (Lygaeus kalmii) in Radford, VA Situating grasshopper assemblages in sustainability |
Ecology and Adaptation (BIOL 131)
Oral Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2020, November 11, 2020
Oral Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2020, November 11, 2020
COVID-19 policies were followed during the field work.
Left image (left to right): Kiersten Smith, Elizabeth Lee, Christopher Felty, Gabriella Richards
Middle (as they finished their field work): Janita Lyde, Connor Grazioso, Ashanti White, Zach Christman
Left: Elaine Ergenbright presenting her section on collection methods
Left image (left to right): Kiersten Smith, Elizabeth Lee, Christopher Felty, Gabriella Richards
Middle (as they finished their field work): Janita Lyde, Connor Grazioso, Ashanti White, Zach Christman
Left: Elaine Ergenbright presenting her section on collection methods
Authors
Grazioso C, J Lyde, A White, Z Christman Reddy J, B Plowman, F Bungarner, E Ergenbright Carter-Martin A, C Hash, B Burkett, M Hicks Stephens S, B Caswell, K Watson, I Beamon Richards G, C Felty, E Lee, K Smith |
Title
Human interaction effects on squirrels of two different geographic locations Impact of human foot trafficking on crab apple seed size Observing squirrel behavior on and off Radford University’s campus The effect of soil conditions on ant activity in the mulch on Radford University’s campus Comparing pH and crayfish abundance between two sites near Radford University |
Environmental Toxicology (BIOL 333)
Oral Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2020, November 11, 2020
Oral Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2020, November 11, 2020
COVID-19 policies were followed during the field work.
Left image: Reneisha Leeper, Samantha Houck, Nicolas Loudermilk, Chasity Tompkins, Kristin Ransom (back)
Middle (back then front, left to right): Patrick Barton, McKenzie Harpine, Rebecca High, Ben Nicely, Leah Bailey, Hannah Roberts
Right: Logan VanMeter presenting her section on assessment methods.
Left image: Reneisha Leeper, Samantha Houck, Nicolas Loudermilk, Chasity Tompkins, Kristin Ransom (back)
Middle (back then front, left to right): Patrick Barton, McKenzie Harpine, Rebecca High, Ben Nicely, Leah Bailey, Hannah Roberts
Right: Logan VanMeter presenting her section on assessment methods.
Authors
Ransome K, C Tompkins, N Loudermilk, R Leeper, S Houck Rodgers L, A Weddle Paterniti M, T Carty, and D Mohamed Buchan N, K Grzybowski, K Pitchke Fitzsimmons D, L Van Meter, L Platt Harpine M, R High, P Barton Bailey L, B Nicely, H Roberts |
Title
Chemical, biological, and physical assessment of Connelly’s Run upstream of the landfill Comparing the stream quality between Connelly’s Run and the tributary of Mill Creek Determining stream health of Connelly’s Run near the bridge at Wildwood Park Stream health assessment of Connelly’s Run in Wildwood Park, Radford, VA Three factors influencing the stream quality of Plum Creek in Radford, VA Assessing Crab Creek and the effects of the railroad Integrated assessment of Connelly’s Run downstream of the Radford City landfill |
Ecology and Adaptation (BIOL 131)
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2019, December 4, 2019
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2019, December 4, 2019
Left to right: Laken Waugh, Drew Reavis, Gabe Hessler, Ashanti Turner, Participant, Justin McLaughlin, Camryn Williford, Two Participants, Alayna Carter (by poster)
Authors
Cook C, K Clark, O Ramsey, MB Mathis McLaughlin J, C Williford, A Carter Reavis D, G Hessler, L Waugh Turner A, T Jackson |
Title
Comparing the Golden Crownbeard density andsoil moisture content between the east- and west-facing slopes of Wildwood Park Comparing the noise levels in four Wildwood Park locations Comparing the crayfish abundance between Connelly’s Run and the New River The effect of light levels and air temperature on soil temperatures in Wildwood Park |
Population and Community Ecology (BIOL 333)
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2019, December 4, 2019
Course Collaboration with Dr. Kristina Stefaniak's Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 324) Students
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2019, December 4, 2019
Course Collaboration with Dr. Kristina Stefaniak's Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 324) Students
Left Image (front to back): Jada Smith, Hunter Lauver, Madison Paternity. Middle (left to right): Miranda Flack, Logan Platt. Right: Nick Murff (by poster)
Authors
Angel S, L Sigmon, S Ofori, N Murff Bragg S, L Burroughs, M Dimas, L Van Meter Buchan N, A Holmes, K Allen, S North Ditch B, M Paterniti, A Whitlock, A Leon Forbes R, J Smith, H Lauver, D Fitzsimmons Hiett A, M Flack, L Platt, T Torres |
Title
The effects of pH on plant density and insect richness in Wildwood Park Effects of water pollution on mammals and aquatic insects near Connelly’s Run in Wildwood Park, Radford, Virginia Effects of pH on plant density and insect abundance Relating garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolate) abundance to native plant abundance and soil pH The effect of CaCO3 and plant density on deer population density at different locations in Wildwood Park Determining whether proximity to roads affects pollutant concentrations, moss area, and macroinvertebrate abundance in Wildwood Park |
Presentations by Students at the Artis College of Science and Technology's Student Forum
Ecology and Adaptation (BIOL 131)
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2018, December 6, 2018
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2018, December 6, 2018
From left to right: Rebecca Salen, Savannah Lancaster, Haley Collins, Hunter Villanueva, Bobbi Lowe, Nathan Hall, Ryan Casey, Alexis Abernathy, Rosemary Lavelle
Authors
Abernathy A, R Casey, R Lavelle Collins H, B Lowe, H Villanueva, N Nall Hutchinson P Landcaster S, R Salen Omar M, N Collins, A Novo, J Estep Ramirez J, A Poindexter, M Hodges, A Smith Williams DC |
Title
The effects of soil moisture and pH on mushroom abundance between two slopes Comparing the moisture content and pH between two slopes in Wildwood Park Comparing the Red Oaks (Quercus rubra) growing on the east- and west-facing slopes in Wildwood Park, Radford, Virginia Comparing macroinvertebrate diversity and stream health between two streams in Wildwood Park, Radford, VA Comparing the height of different species of flowers on the east- and west-facing slopes Light intensity effects on the abundance of arthropods in Wildwood Park Evergreen and deciduous tree abundance on varying elevations |
Environmental Toxicology (BIOL 333)
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2018, December 6, 2018
Course Collaboration with Dr. Kristina Stefaniak's Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 324) Students
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Fall 2018, December 6, 2018
Course Collaboration with Dr. Kristina Stefaniak's Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 324) Students
From left to right: Miranda Flack, Victoria Edwards, Devin Pitts, Kayla Ogden, Mac Landwermeyer, Kyle Farley, Heather Yi, Darion Hardware, Bernice Adjaloko, Andrew Ehrat
Authors
Adjaloko B, D Hardware, H Yi, A Erhat Edwards V, D Pitts, M Flack Holmes A, A Holder, S Amagoh, J Butler Jones M, M Cooley, S Ruppert, S Jones Odgen K, M Landwermeyer, K Farley Thompson T, B Mullen, S Krajcirovic, K Ellis |
Title
Ecological water quality assessment of Crab Creek Impact assessment of Plum Creek and Peak Creek Impact of the landfill on Connelly’s Run in Radford, VA Peak Creek: the effects of urbanization on stream quality Does cow access to a tributary of Crab Creek impair stream quality? Investigating the effects of water treatment plant discharge on the health of Crab Creek |
Presentations by Students at the Wildwood Park Restoration Mini-symposium
Ecology and Adaptation (BIOL 131)
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Spring 2018, April 26, 2018
Poster Presentations, Radford University
Spring 2018, April 26, 2018
Left Image (left to right): Ashley Duke, Aubrey Huff, Madison Paterniti. Middle: Brittany McLean. Right (left to right): 3 Participants (back), Lauren Shackleford, Kiara Price, Maggie Rogers
Authors
Bowers N, T Hickman, K Honaker, J Bowser-Moore, AJ Brown. Horbacz S Huff A, A Duke, M Paterniti Luketic E, L Brumfield, B Desir McLean B, E Lampman Shackleford L, K Price, M Rogers Wade K |
Title
Wildwood park restoration of aquatic insect species A walk in the woods: restoration of floral diversity in Wildwood Park Aquatic invertebrates and their contribution to the restoration in Wildwood Park Restoration of Wildwood Park Determining whether Wildwood Park is restored by using bird assemblages Determining the restoration of Wildwood Park using moss The use of benthic diatoms to assess the effects of restoration practices on Connelly’s Run at Wildwood Park, Radford, VA |