Research Experience for Undergraduates at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2014-2015
Mentor: Dr. Darnell Johnson
Abstract
In this study, the 2015 REU mathematics team from Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) extended on research done by the 2014 summer REU mathematics team. A workshop was provided to assist parents to a better understanding of student homework assignments on the North Carolina Common Core State Standards for K-2 Mathematics. Parent involvement is defined as parent participation in the educational processes and experiences of their children. A chi-square analysis was used to analyze data collected from a pre survey and post survey administered to participants in the workshop. The study revealed all of the individual components of parent involvement were positively and significantly related to educational goals. The study identified various aspects of parent involvement that yielded statistically significant results in affirming that parent involvement attributed positively to urban student achievement. These findings were particularly helpful for indicating which kinds of parent involvement influenced academic success. Remarkably, parent expectations and styles demonstrated a strong relationship with scholastic outcomes. Parent expectations and styles created an educationally oriented ambience that established an understanding of certain level of support the child needed to succeed academically. The REU mathematics team focused on three essential questions in this study: (1) What practices will increase parent awareness of K-2 NC-CCSS for mathematics at P. W. Moore Elementary School? (2) What methods can be used to strengthen parent skills in assisting with mathematics homework assignments at P. W. Moore Elementary School? (3) What actions can be taken to motivate parent involvement in the school improvement process focusing on mathematics at P. W. Moore Elementary School?
Summer 2014
and Communications Directorate Risk Analysis Management
Mentor: Mr. Fred Duca
Abstract
Modular data Centers are a great alternative to traditional data centers, due to their portability, short build time, space, and energy savings. The process of gathering together efficient cost conscious options that produce a well-rounded look at the possibilities for any organization is called n efficiency white paper. The white paper for the data center for NASA-GSFC is a culmination of the most cutting edge equipment and more cost possible options for this particular center. Calculating the cost, savings, and the eventual payback of each option as a whole and separately will give a large picture glimpse of what is possible and what is likely. There are many examples of large scale modular data centers in which to pull ideas and monetary pictures from such as Google, Ebay, and Microsoft just to name a few
Modular Data Center Efficiency
Mentor: Mr. Tim Dunfee
Abstract
Risk analysis assessment is a highly valuable tool used by many organizations to help mediate when and how to mitigate or completely get rid of a particular risk. The Information Technology and Communications Directorate (ITCD) has many projects that have varying risk that must be analyzed. Each risk has a probability and a cost. The correlation between the likelihood of risk actualization and the overall cost of that risk can be put into a risk analysis matrix. Then the matrix can be built and be incorporated into a database to compare and track risk while deciphering whether a risk needs to be addressed or can be left in without action based off the overall budget. The actual cost to either mitigate or completely take care of a particular risk are applied in the data base and will help with the decision making as far as which risk need immediate attention and which risk can wait due to budgetary constraints. A probability should be calculated for each and every cost and then placed into a format in which the risk can be seen clearly and assessed. The cost may be calculated by the program itself; if not then a formula or critical calculation would be used to come up with a precise dollar amount for each risk. Especially the risk that present the most harm going forward.
2012-2013
Three New Species of Nematodes from Lake Phelps, NC
Mentor: Dr. Eyualem Abebe
Abstract
In the framework of inventorying nematode communities in northeastern North Carolina, we studied the taxonomic identity of three populations at Lake Phelps, NC. Morphological data suggest that these populations, Neotobrilus sp., Chronogaster sp., and Monystera n. sp. are new to science. Our data expands the nematode taxa reported for the North American region and contribute to our understanding of nematode biogeography and ecology.
2011-2012
Microbial diversity of an acidic, temperate lake ̶ Lake Phelps, NC
Mentor: Roberto Frontera-Suau and Eyualem Abebe
Abstract
To explore the role of microbial communities and its relationship with the diversity of other sediment animals, we studied microbial diversity of column water and the sediment of Lake Phelps, NC. We used traditional spread plate method to enrich bacteria. We identified cultivable bacteria using both traditional methods, i.e. gram staining and differential and selective media, and 16S ribosomal gene sequences. We isolated 27 unique colonies of bacteria and characterized 20 using DNA sequences. Out of these we identified 17 different strains/species that belonged to three phyla (9 isolates of Proteobacteria, 7 of Firmicutes, and 1 of Bacteroidetes), six classes (6 isolates of Betaproteobacteria, 4 of Bacilli, 3 of Gammaproteobacteria, 3 of Bacillales, and 1 of Flavobacteriia), and seven orders (4 isolates of Neisseriales, 4 of Bacillales, 3 of Bacillaceae, 2 of Burkholderiales, 2 of Enterobacteriales, 1 of Aeromonadales, and 1 of Flavobacteriales). Our results show a microbial community typical for freshwater habitats but also with a possibility of contamination, and this may have implication for water use. Future investigation will focus on characterizing ecological role of these bacterial strains.
http://nia.ecsu.edu/reuomps2012/teams/rs/index.html
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