University of the Virgin Islands (STX & STT) Research Day Program & Topics Friday, April 15, 2016 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Poster presentations and display Opening and keynote address | 11:00 am – 11:30 am UVI Great Hall, Albert A. Sheen, ST. CROIX Campus Round table discussions 1. 9:00 am-10:00 am (or 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm) | Are Facebook Intensity and Gender Related to Self-Esteem? 2. 10:00 am-11:00 am | Racism: Where Do We Go From Here? 3. 1:00 pm -2:00 pm | Collaborative Action Research on Mathematical Modeling of Water Quality with STEM Teachers UVI Sports & Fitness Center, ST. THOMAS Campus Round table discussions 1. 11:30-12:30 | Safe Sexting 2. 1:15-2:00 | Sexual Selection and its Relation to Isolative Reproduction in Three-spine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) 3. 1:00-2:00 | Racial Profiling 4. 1:00-2:00 | Marine Disease Management 5. 2:00-3:00 | “An investigation of performing practices of entering high school music students into the University of the Virgin Islands instrumental music program; through examination of curriculum design, performance requirements, teacher preparation, with panelist recommendations for further studies.” 6. 2:00-3:00 | Effective Social Media Use in the VI: How/Why it Can Work Better Round Table Topics ST. CROIX Title: Are Facebook Intensity and Gender Related to Self-Esteem? Presenter: Abstract (description): Social media has changed the way many communicate with others besides physical contact. It has made it easy to live behind an account without any physical interaction with others. There are many positive and negative factors that contribute to ones’ self-esteem. But the question is does social media help, hurt or boost the users’ self-esteem. There has been previous research focusing on the relationship between Facebook usage and self-esteem and gender and self-esteem none joined both Facebook and gender. The purpose of this study is to determine whether facebook usage or gender have any effect on self-esteem based on the information gathered from the students at the University of the Virgin Islands. A correlation study will be used to determine if Facebook intensity and gender have a relationship among college students. This research is important because it has never been done on this campus and it could bring awareness to the students on campus. The sample will consist of 100 willing UVI students from only the St. Croix Albert A. Sheen campus. Title: Racism: “Where Do We Go from Here?” Presenter: Abstract (description): The ENG 100 class explores the, historical, social and artistic implications of Beyoncé’s music video Formation and the reactions and discussions in the news, on websites, and in our classroom. Title: Mathematical Modeling of Water Quality Presenter: Abstract (description): Water quality presents itself as a major problem in the Virgin Islands. Since the summer of 2015, in-service mathematics and science teachers participated in professional development sessions with yearlong follow- up on the design and analysis of STEM projects around culturally responsive themes such as water quality and supply. Teachers designed Project based learning (PBL) units connecting math and science to student local experiences. An interdisciplinary collaborative action research team was formed around this theme. The yearlong support included meetings, expert visits, team teaching, and action research course towards refining and implementation of integrated math and science projects. This has been a collaborative effort between the teachers, students, and STEM Educators to design, implement and refine a cohesive interdisciplinary PBL unit aligning with math and science standards for high schools. From this ongoing effort around a culturally responsive STEM theme, we will present lessons learnt from a cycle of design and implementation incorporating student and teacher perspectives from their classroom enactments. Building on emergent and salient themes, the depth and connectedness of mathematical and scientific content and practices will be discussed with recommendation for future work. ST. THOMAS Title: Safe Sexting - A Community Concern Presentation Presenter: Dahlia Stridiron, St Thomas Campus, Counseling and Placement, Staff Abstract (description): Learn about the impacts of sexting and how we all have a role to play in preventing sexual harassment & sexual violence facilitated by today’s technology. Title: Racial Profiling Presenter: Dahlia Stridiron, St Thomas Campus, Counseling and Placement, Staff Abstract (description): The purpose of the forum is to have a conversation among students, faculty, staff and persons in the community to discuss if racial profiling is a problem in the Caribbean. The panelists will also discuss the impact that race, religion, ethnicity, and national origin have on racial profiling. Title: Effective Social Media Use in the VI: How/Why it Can Work Better Presenter: DaraMonifah Cooper, Cooperative Extension Services, Staff Abstract (description): This round table examines social media platform habits, multi-media technology and the vital role these vehicles will play in converting the current use of advertising media in the Virgin Islands. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate how new media technology behaviors affect communication skills. The discussion will also include the methods in which social media and related technology are effecting change based on the current ways people learn and share information. To achieve this goal, multimedia elements such as video, infographics and text are used. I will be using research-based experiences throughout my role as a UVI Cooperative Extension Agent and WUVI Station Manager, as well as training in the New Media Journalism Masters program at Full Sail University. The goal is to create a powerful media network by providing evidence that a thoughtful collaborative effort of creating a viable communication network is needed at the University and throughout the Virgin Islands community. Title: Marine Disease Management Presenter: Marilyn Brandt, Faculty, Center for Marine and Environmental Studies Abstract (description): Emerging marine diseases have been increasing in abundance and extent over the last several decades. The emergence of these diseases has been associated with habitat alteration and destruction as well as stressors resulting from climate change. While research is ongoing into the etiology of many of these emerging marine diseases, there is great debate over whether it is possible, ethical or cost-effective to directly manage disease when it occurs in wild populations. This round table discussion will debate the merits, ethics, and potential impacts of attempting to directly manage marine diseases in wild populations through mechanisms such as culling, quarantine, genetic manipulation and antibiotic application. An Analysis on High School Music Students coming to UVI Presenters: LeRoy Trotman, Faculty, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences William Johnson, Faculty, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Erick Willie, Junior High Band Director, Department of Education (St. Croix) Dionne Donadelle, High School Band Director, Department of Education (St. Thomas-St. John) Niels Goodings, Junior High Band Director, Department of Education (St. Thomas-St. John) Abstract (description): The quality of instrumental music performance in the United States Virgin public school system and community has deteriorated as is evident by auditions of entering freshmen. Under the premise that University ensemble performance standards have a direct correlation to type and quality of instrumental music instruction in K-12 programs. Therefore, it is critical to create dialogue to address all levels. Quality is defined as a universal concept of tone production, high independence in music reading, interpretive and improvisational skills that distinguish “folk” or self-taught music musicians from trained performers. Questions to be addressed: 1. Can a designed strategic plan positively enhance instrumental music at schools, university, and community levels? 2. Should the University create additional instrumental music courses for practicing instrumental instructors in the area of individualized skill development and literature? 3. In what way may the University of the Virgin Islands approach a partnership with the Department of Education in development and implementation of a comprehensive system of training for instrumental teachers and students? 4. Does a written document exist within the university that articulates the need for full dialogue, design, and cooperation of parochial, private, and public institutions to address training of instrumental teachers and students? Topic: Sexual Selection and its Relation to Isolative Reproduction in Three-spine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) Presenter: Kyle Gonsalves, Undergraduate Student, College of Science and Mathematics Abstract (description): Sexual selection is a process by which a specific set of traits are favored and can consequently lead to divergent speciation. Recent studies have found that there is currently a divergence of species occur-ring amongst the three spine stickleback. This emergent speciation has caused scientist to categorize populations as separate species know as limnetic and benthic. This occurred due to reproductive isolation. Two primary sensory elements that may be involved with sexual selection are olfaction and the lateral line system. Our research interests lie in the significance of olfaction and the lateral line systems in female mating choice. We hypothesize that if olfaction and/or the lateral line systems are removed, female three-spine stickleback will be unable to distinguish between the two species. A study will be conducted to determine the effect that olfaction and the lateral line system have on female selection. We anticipate heterospecific mating will occurs due to the importance of the olfaction and the lateral lines in reproductive isolation. I expect that these senses are vital in the female’s ability to distinguish between mates by removing them the female will be unable to clearly differentiate between the two species. With these results we will understand the importance of these two sensory systems in stickle-back mate choice both individually as well as their interactions. OTHER HOT TOPICS! Public Attitude Towards the Mentally Ill Presenter: Tarriesha Dawson, Undergraduate Student, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Abstract (description): Traditionally, mental illness has neither been well understood nor tolerated by the general public. As a result, attitudes of stigmatization and discrimination towards the mentally ill have become prevalent in society. It may take radical endeavors to influence change in societal mindsets and even governmental policies to combat this intolerance. This research will assess British Virgin Islanders’ knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness, through a survey administered to a convenience sample of 100 members of the public who are 18 years and older. The surveys will be self-reported and completed anonymously. I hypothesized that the results will reveal low knowledge scores but high scores for attitudes that are unsympathetic towards the mentally ill. Further, it is unlikely that this problem is unique to the British Virgin Islands as literature has reported such findings. Research which evaluated the public’s attitudes towards the mentally ill in England and Scotland revealed that attitudes had deteriorated be-tween 1994 and 2003 (www.bjp.rcpsych.org). Currently, no study exists on the BVI public’s attitude towards the mentally ill. It is hoped that this research will lead to greater awareness of the stigma of mental illness and stakeholders’ implementation of programs useful in combating the stigma. Domestic Violence in the Virgin Islands Presenters: Naji Shadeed, Undergraduate Student, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences William Harrigan, Undergraduate Student, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Abstract (description): Domestic violence has been a growing issue in the Virgin Islands. Non-profit organizations like the Family Resource Center (FRC) provide services to victims of crime in the Virgin Islands. While they tend to victims of all crime, they pay close attention to domestic violence. In the project, we will be collecting and analyzing data on behalf of the FRC. The goal of this research project is to see what UVI students think and know about domestic violence in the territory. The research methods being used to acquire this data are: quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative data was collected via an online survey tool known as Survey Monkey by means of a random sample. 50 students were randomly selected to fill out a survey containing 10 closed-ended questions ranging from their charity to domestic violence. The qualitative data was collected through a series of interviews. 11 UVI students were asked 7 open- ended questions about how they felt about domestic violence and charity. While we assumed most UVI students have little or no experience with domestic violence, the results indicate otherwise. Domestic violence will remain prevalent in the territory unless it is properly addressed.  Left  Center  Right Remove Visit researchday.uvi.edu and join the Facebook event for updates