2006

Nicole Letizia

Mentor:Dr. Lizabeth Fogel

Title: Smart Board Technology

Abstract: The study investigated if and how Smart Board technology motivates second grade students in the subject area of mathematics.   Smart Board technology is an interactive whiteboard with a touch-sensitive surface.   In Ms. P.’s second grade class at School X two math lessons were observed using the Smart Board, after which the 18 students were given a survey.   Ms. P. and Mr. C., both of whom have Smart Boards in their classrooms, were interviewed.   Through the use of this data as well as various research articles, it was found that the Smart Board does, in fact, motivate children to learn math.   The majority of the students were excited to participate in the study, remained focused through it, and learned math more effectively when using the Smart Board.

BiljanaTrivic

Mentor: Mentor: Dr. Michael Ulinski

Title: Managers and Tenure Auditors: Friends or Foes?

Abstract: Frequent corporate scandals may cause us to wonder where we went wrong. Members of management are entrusted with safeguarding shareholders’ investments. Independent of them, a role of auditors is to provide reasonable assurance that managers are doing their intended jobs. The Sarbanes Oxley Act now requires partners on the audit to rotate every 5 years. This is to ensure that auditors remain independent in appearance and that their interests do not become too closely intertwined with those of the management. Yet, the perception that internal controls are adequate to prevent fraud often still lingers. By rotating audit partners, is bias avoided or do new partners fail to have a new independent look at the corporation’s system of internal controls? This study examines the relationship between managers of the Fortune 500 companies and the type of audit report issued, using SEC enforcement releases as a guideline. The extent to which a correlation exists between the type of audit opinion issued immediately prior to bankruptcy and the length of auditor tenure is analyzed.   Focusing on Valley Publishing Company, as an in-depth look is offered into how audit is conducted in a company where the same auditor was used for several years in a row. Implications for the future of the business environment and suggestions for further research are presented.

Michael Brady

Mentor: Dr. Lawrence Hundersmarck

Title: Fundamentalism

Abstract: This paper explores both Christian and Islamic fundamentalism as one of the ways to conceptualize religion.   A particular emphasis of this way of being religious is reliance upon scripture, the dualistic nature of their worldviews, and the political and social movements and objectives of these groups. The focus of this study is on the fundamentalist groups that have arisen in the United States as well as in the Middle East. These groups will be studied from their early roots to the modern day. Also included is a discussion of Fundamentalism as a reaction to the secular world.

Korki Miller

Mentor: Dr. Sergey Kazakov

Title: Ion-Responsive Polymer Network

Abstract: Electrochemical behavior of the pH-responsive hydrogel macro- and microparticles containing N-isopropylacrylamide and 1-vinylimidazole (PNIPA-VI) was examined by measuring pH in the solution external to hydrogels. The hypothesis is that the properties of polymer network can effect the properties of the external solution, in particular; by changing the concentration of ions in the gel exterior. If there is an excess of ions in the external solution with respect to the gel interior, the ions diffuse inside and bind to the ionizable groups. If the concentration of ions in the external solution is less than that inside the gel, the ionizable groups within the gel release ions into the gel exterior. The number of ionizable groups on the cross-linked polymer chains defines the gel ionic capacity. By measuring the pH in the environment surrounding hydrogel particles of macro- and micrometer sizes, the mechanism of pH-equilibration in the polymer network interior was studied. This approach is presumed to be applicable to both artificial and natural ionic reservoirs. For example, a cytoplasmic protein-ion-water matrix may operate by the same working principles as an ordinary hydrogel ionic reservoir.

Christopher Keogh and Danielle Ricciardi

Mentors: Prof. Robert Klaeger and Dr. Mary McCarthy

Title: Teaching “Digital Natives”: The Jacob Burns Film Center’s Approach to Visual Literacy

Abstract: Visual literacy is fast becoming an integral part of a student's learning experience in the constantly changing field of education.  The Jacob Burns Film Center of Pleasantville, New York, is a pioneer in the field of visual literacy.  By opening its doors to students in the Westchester area and beyond, the Film Center's education department has fulfilled its commitment to provide education and culture to its community.   This study investigates how the Jacob Burns Film Center reaches out to its community through its educational programs and how it incorporates visual literacy into an enriching and stimulating curriculum.  It is important to understand the Film Center's ideas about visual literacy in a world where so much of what we learn is how we see it. 

David Robertson

Mentor: Dr. Melissa Cardon

Title: Moneyball: How Innovative Management Styles have Changed America’s Favorite Pastime

Abstract: Over the last ten years, Major League Baseball has seen a rise in younger executives, such as a 28-year old   General Manager.   Their “Moneyball” systems are geared toward lowering team expenses through in-depth player research and generating the greatest return on capital invested in players.   As more and more young executives are hired, “America’s Favorite Pastime” has questioned whether these systems truly work. Many Major League Baseball organizations have initiated these systems, while others have stood by the “Old-School” or traditional style of baseball.   This study examines the “Moneyball” system and how its management style and organizational success have faired against the “Old-School” baseball style.   In particular, the effect of the new system versus the old system on manager success, team success, and team climate or culture are studied.