Seven Clarion University Honors Program students presented their senior projects during the 2008-09 Honors Program Senior Presentations.
The Honors Program is an academic opportunity for students whose intellectual and creative interests and abilities are beyond conventional university offerings. The program gives students the opportunity to enrich their education through specially designed courses and extracurricular involvement. Admission is based on: academic performance, a written statement, SAT scores of 1,150 or higher, graduating in the top 15 percent of the high school class, and recommendations.
Dr. Valentine James, Clarion University Provost and Academic Vice President, was the moderator for the opening ceremony in the Center for Academic Excellence, Carlson Library. Senior presentations followed in Founders Hall. The presenters included:
Nicole Grimes presented "Lead Poisoning and Speech and Language Development: A Case Study." Her faculty advisor was Kathy Linnan, professor of communication sciences and disorders. The study focused on how lead poisoning affects typical language development. Language included" pragmatics, syntax, semantics, morphology, morphosyntax and speech. Her study included the case history of a young boy diagnosed with lead poisoning. She collected data regarding the child's language development and that of typical developing children and have compared them. She noted distinct differences between the two, and how the child's language evolved since entering therapy.
Grimes, a senior communication sciences and disorders major, is a daughter of Michael and Tammy Grimes of Genesee, and is a graduate of Northern Potter High School. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school at Clarion University for speech language pathology.
Michelle Hall presented "The Performance of The Magic Flute: Act II Scene 3." Her faculty advisor was Dr. Henry A. Alviani, professor of music. Hall produced and directed Act II: Scene 3 of the opera, The Magic Flute, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. She also performed in the opera scene as one the principle roles. She organized each production component - lighting, scenery, costumes, theatrical direction, musical direction, and other special effects - which culminated in a May 2 performance.
Hall, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Richard and Joan Hall of Allegany, N.Y., and is a graduate of Allegany-Limestone Central School. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school for opera performance.
Diane Kress presented "Board Games Link to Mathematics Skills." She studied the correlation between playing board games and mathematical skills developed. Kress created a board game that incorporated the use of mathematical ideas during the game. Subjects then played the game, along with completing a pre-test and post-test based on the material covered in the game. Using the tests results she then determined if any relationships appeared connecting board game play with the development of mathematical abilities.
Kress, a senior secondary education/mathematics major, is a daughter of Ronald and Jean Kress of Pittsburgh, and a graduate of North Hills High School. After graduation, she plans to obtain a teaching position in mathematics and coach track and field.
George McNamee presented "March Madness: Does Defense Really Win Championships." His study focused on whether or not the numerous analysts on ESPN are accurate in stating that "defense wins championships" in men's college basketball. To do this, he created two regression models from different statistical categories to predict the number of wins a team will achieve looking at different stages in the tournament. By performing comparative analysis of the two models at each state of the tournament, it can be determined whether defensive statistical categories are a greater influence than offensive statistical categories when predicting how many wins a team should achieve and whether or not the ESPN analysts are accurate when they say "defense wins championships."
McNamee, a senior secondary education/mathematics major, is a son of Joseph and Barbara McNamee of Pittsburgh, and is a graduate of North Hills High School. After graduation, he plans to obtain a teaching position in mathematics.
Kathryn Miesko presented "Standardized Testing and the English as a Second Language Learner: Problems and Practical Solutions." This project examined the disadvantage of English language learners in regards to standardized tests, and what educators can do to curb that disadvantage.
Miesko, a senior secondary education/English major, is a daughter of Joseph and Peggy Miesko of Johnstown, and is a graduate of Central Cambria High School. After graduation, she plans to obtain a teaching position in English and pursue teaching English as a second language.
Erich Spessard presented "Courtroom Technology: Today and Tomorrow." The object of this project was to explore the evolution and future of courtroom technology. Research for the project included interviews with attorneys, and an extensive literature review of legal journals, electronic media, and other published works. Such research permits a discussion of the attitudes and opinions of jurors, attorneys, and judges with regard to technology in the courtroom, and recommendations as to how to make the system more effective and efficient.
Spessard, a senior political science major, is a son of Brian Spessard of Carlisle, and is a graduate of Carlisle High School. After graduation, his plans are to attend law school.
William Stremple presented "Improving Instruction Using Representations in Algebra." The study explored various algebraic representations from literature that have been used successfully with students studying algebra and pre-algebra topics. The use of representations to illustrate various concepts and procedures allows students to connect with the idea and visualize them to create meaning. He incorporated many of these representations into his own teaching in the field while on block.
Stremple, a senior elementary education major, is a son of Linda Stremple of Pittsburgh, and is a graduate of Plum High School. After graduation, he plans to obtain a teaching position.
