Stevenson University Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences Student Works

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/14405

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Superhero Genre: A Reflection of Disfigurement and Disability in Society
    (2023-12-10) Jung, Olivia; Hansen, Jordan; School of Humanities and Social Sciences; English
    “When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself” (Wayne Dyer). This quote applies to not only an individual, but also a society, one of which creates media and mass productions that emphasize the definition of the ideal on judging those that are different or those that have changed. One genre in particular takes those definitions, specifically focusing on the disabled and disfigured members of society, and brings them to the big screen and comic books. This genre, named the superhero genre, has discussed Disability and Disfigurement on many accounts, though the depictions are often stereotypical and repetitive. The necessity to depict such topics in a realistic, and aware perspective, that enacts the human ability to survive internally before surviving externally, is urgent. Through the use of such movies as Dark Knight, Hawkeye (2012), Uncanny X-Men, Star Wars and various disability driven articles, there will be an exploration of the disfigurement and disability topic expressed in the superhero genre as it relates to realistic perspectives, portrayals, and metaphorical ideas. Exploring this topic uncovers society’s stereotypes and assumptions of the disabled, whether physical, mental, or metaphorical.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Conserving the Yellowstone National Park Ecosystem through Gray Wolves (Canis lupus)
    (2022) Lambert, Aquila; Matanoski, Joseph; Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences; Environmental Science
    Gray wolves are a keystone species in the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) ecosystem because they can restore balance to and regulate a previously unhealthy ecosystem. The true value of gray wolves as a keystone species was not realized until decades after their reintroduction in 1995. Over time, gray wolves’ predatory habits decreased elk populations, which allowed for vegetation to grow back and other herbivores to repopulate. Despite gray wolves’ overwhelmingly positive effect on the YNP ecosystem, they are hunted illegally for sport or by farmers to protect livestock. Currently, disease and human hunting are the biggest threats to the long-term success of gray wolves in YNP.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Overstory Effects of Emerald Ash Borers (EAB) on a Riparian Forest
    (2021) Lambert, Aquila; Wise, Emily; Norris, Mark; Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences; Environmental Science
    Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borers) (EAB) are an invasive beetle from Asia that discovered in the USA in 2002 and have decimated Fraxinus (ash) forests throughout the country. The ash trees of Stevenson University in Owings Mills, MD have not been spared from EAB infestation. This research study sought to understand how important ash trees are to the overall local forest, how EAB have affected those ash trees and the forest habitat, and considered ways to restore the forest because of EAB infestation. Trees and canopy cover were surveyed in 5 randomly placed plots throughout a 6-hectare section of riparian forest. Individual ash trees were examined for EAB exit holes and status rating. This study found that ash trees are the most important tree in the forest but with spatial variation. Majority of the ash trees are dead with signs of EAB infestation, but canopy openness does not correlate with EAB ash infestation. There are opportunities for future studies that could be conducted on the local forest with our data as a starting point. One potential study could analyze the genome of the four living ash trees that were found. Restoration options include planting already present non-ash tree seedlings in certain plots to restore the canopy, injecting the 4 living ash trees in plot 4 with insecticide, and releasing non-native parasitoid wasps to reduce EAB populations. We could also collect and mail seeds from the living ash trees to a US Forest Service project in Ohio to preserve and understand EAB-resistant ash trees. From this study, we learned how important Ash trees are to Stevenson’s ecosystem and that the ash population has been severely affected by EAB infestation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Casaway
    (2018) Guit, Hailey; Nyarady, Hope; Glaser, Rivka L.; Marx, Meghan A.; Graphic Design; GDES-310 Graphic Design III
    As designer, people might think that I just make visuals out of fonts and images, but it’s so much more than that. To be the best designer as possible I need to become an expert on what I’m designing to understand the symbolism or context I need to design for. Sometimes this is simple, like doing a bit of online searching or library research, other times a lot more is required. Like In a Communication Design class (GDES310) when the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is your client and asks you to make a game for middle school students based on the scientific process of DNA editing called CRISPR. This projects required research of threefold. First I need to know and fully understand what CRISPR is and how it works. Second I need to understand my audience, which wasn’t just middle schoolers even though they were the users of my game, teachers and parents also played a significant part of my audience as well. Finally, I needed to understand game design, and how to make a game that isn’t just playable and fun, but also educational. I had so much to learn and the research I had to conduct took multiple forms in order to be the most useful to the development of my project.