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Item Humans and howls: wolves and the future of animal communication(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2021) Narotzky, Emma May; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mark FiegeWolf howls have seldom been subjected to studies focusing on their semantic content, especially in wild populations where the context is natural but the availability of contextual clues for researchers is limited. The meaning of wolf howls as interpreted by humans depends on the human's position in ecological, cultural, and scientific context. I describe human interpretations of wolf howling from the perspective of amateur observers, historians, and biologists; the historical context of wolf howl research within ethology and questions about semantics in animal communication research; and the possibility of semantic differences in wolf howls from different contexts recorded in the wild. Wolf howls were recorded in Yellowstone National Park in 2017 and howls from territorial borders were compared with howls from territory interiors. Howls from the two groups were not discriminable. There may be no structural differences containing semantic information about territorial content, or the location relative to a border may not be a useful proxy for territorial message. Questions about intended meaning as opposed to observed function in animal communication are difficult to answer and often collide with humans' desire to be unique in their communication systems. Questions about wolves run into political and cultural baggage arising from humans' and wolves' history as ecological competitors. As semantic research in animal communication develops, wolves may become a coveted subject species because of their social living, strong individual/personal characters, and group coordination. These studies and their results will always be filtered through a thick barrier of human biases and reflections--possibly more so than any other non-primate in the world--but information about wolf communication can be disentangled from human culture in both scientific and vernacular accounts with enough historical information about the sources of the humans' biases. Future research on this topic will require simultaneous approaches from different angles, including ethological, historical, neurological, perceptual, and socioecological.Item Allow me to introduce you to: an argument for the efficacy of portrait filmmaking in science communication(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2021) Hill, Nicholas Scott; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Theo LipfertMedia influences how we perceive the world. Reductive portrayals of scientists in literature and motion pictures have contributed to negative connotations of scientists and scientific fields. In a culture of personality where a person's credentials are linked to their likability, breaking these connotations is crucial. If the goal of science communication in documentary is to inform the public about scientific principles, research, or new discoveries; using portrait filmmaking can assist in meeting that end. Effective use of portraiture filmmaking in science communication can help show that scientists are much more complex than some media have portrayed them. They are people, with real passion about the field they are exploring as well as for other aspects of life. When a filmmaker shows a scientist as a character with more depth than just their profession, they can create empathy and connection between viewers and scientists. If viewers can relate to the scientists, they may be more receptive to the field or the research the scientists are passionate about. In this paper, I suggest that the use of portraiture filmmaking in science communication is an effective tool to use in showing the public that scientists are relatable people, not reductive representations of their profession.Item The impact of scientists' struggle stories on student grit(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Stitt, Sarah Renee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughPerseverance for long term goals, otherwise known as grit, is an essential character trait for the progress of mankind. The ability to stick with a task and even find joy and passion in that task is not something that can easily be taught, yet it is critical nonetheless. This study aimed to prove that the character trait of grit could be improved through the presentation of famous scientists' struggle stories. Teachers read aloud four different biographies of famous scientists told in a way that highlighted the challenges and obstacles that these discoverers had to overcome before they were ever recognized for their work. Results were recorded through the use of a pre and post grit survey and a challenge problem. Students and teachers were interviewed for further evidence. The survey results were variable while the challenge problems and interviews demonstrated positive outcomes.Item Female scientists in film: embracing duality with the heroine's journey(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2019) Sagatov, Anna Irina; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dennis AigThere is a dearth of women in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. Film and television reflects this reality, and women scientist characters are often depicted as lacking in complexity or subordinate to their male counterparts. This thesis examines the deficiencies of filmic depictions of women scientist characters in dramatic films of the past and suggests using Maureen Murdoch's Heroine's Journey story structure to create more independent and complex women scientist characters in film. Inspired by this approach , the paper then discusses the dramatic narrative thesis film Bar Flies , which challenges audiences to consider the social , professional , and personal dilemmas a young woman scientist character faces while navigating her career and personal life.Item A descriptive study of the partnership between high school students and scientists(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Schwalm, Jeffrey Andrew; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter WoolbaughThis Action Research study investigated the impacts on high school students from participating in a field experience working alongside scientists in a hospital or lab setting. Students applied to participate in either a three-day experience with the pathology department, one-day experience in a frog embryo lab, or a one-day tour of the pathology labs. Primary sources of data were pre and post surveys and interviews that looked at any impacts the experiences may have had. Questions focused on prior lab experiences, motivation for participating, perceived value of lab work, and content understanding. Results showed the overall impacts of the experiences varied based on the design of the experience. Students who participated in the more extensive, three-day partnership were much more positive in their feedback and had a better understanding of the content than the other two experiences. Students primarily applied for the experiences to assist them in finding a career path or because they had an interest in the specific topic. Though feedback varied from student to student, all students responded that they valued the experience and would like to continue participating in authentic field experiences with scientists.Item Impact of digitally mediated scientist-classroom partnerships with middle school girls(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2016) Tete, Annie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.Women are underrepresented in science and engineering fields. To address this disparity, I connected my middle school life science students at an all-girls school with female science professionals using Skype. A virtual field trip (VFT) augmented the digitally mediated experience. Research questions addressed the impact of Skype conversations on student perceptions of scientists, student attitudes towards science careers, student content knowledge, and teacher preparation and attitudes. The scientist-classroom partnership consisted of a series of three Skype sessions with the same female science professional over the course of one unit on a human body system. Students were divided into two groups with treatment occurring with alternating units to control for content. Perceptions, attitudes, and content knowledge was measured before and after using the draw-a-scientist test (DAST), a modified version of the Test of Science Related Attitudes (TOSRA), content tests, interviews, student formative assessment responses, and teacher journal entries. Data showed improvement in both student perceptions of scientists and attitudes toward science careers. While increased content knowledge was not correlated with the intervention, I argue that the scientist-classroom partnerships increased the relevance of the content thereby improving student perceptions and attitudes. Impact on teacher planning and preparation was minimal compared with the value of the student and teacher experience interacting with science professionals. Unexpected outcomes include novel opportunities for teacher professional development and networking and the possibility of connecting other groups underrepresented in science careers with positive role models in science. Further studies should examine the importance of student pre-Skype planning and research and the feasibility of decreasing the student-scientist ratio.Item Changing image of a scientist and science(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2015) Gedeon, Zuzana; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dennis AigThere is an emerging trend in films that represent the process of scientific inquiry through anchoring of the narrative around the scientist rather than delving deep into scientific detail. While film can help explain scientific results, it is even better suited to help us understand scientific inquiry and a way of thinking. I will present several films that exemplify this trend of adding personal stories to science films starting with Science Is Fiction: 23 Films by Jean Painlevé, through Cosmos and Particle Fever. We will even touch on fictional films like The Theory of Everything. While we may distinguish between fiction and nonfiction in the area of science, some fiction films play a similar role in popularizing science to that originally reserved for non-fiction, especially when they present the lives and potential motivations of scientists. Presenting personal views of scientists may directly contrast with the guidelines established during the Enlightenment, which asserted that scientific discourse should be a-contextual, impersonal, factual and precise (Zerbe 33). In this study, I argue that, this new trend of presenting science as personal journey is more aligned with the postmodernist understanding of direct involvement of the author in the subject. The advantage of presenting a scientist in a science film is twofold. Using personal stories can help us better understand scientific culture, and it can also provide audience with potential role models. As we will see from the film My Way these role models can inspire future scientists. This may be especially true for underrepresented population in science, whether the underrepresentation is due to their gender or their ethnic background.Item A man of Germany : acceptable uncertainties in a time of war(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2004) Gallagher, John Bernard; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael Sean Reidy.During the week of September 15, 1941, Niels Bohr and Wemer Heisenberg met secretly in Copenhagen, Denmark. These Nobel physicists worked together in the 1920s to construct a new quantum physics. The Copenhagen Interpretation consisted of statistical quantum mechanics, the Uncertainty Principle, and Complimentarity, which revolutionized perceptions of atomic phenomena and challenged the scientific community with their conceptions of classical Newtonian causality. At the time of the meeting, Germany occupied Denmark and Heisenberg led the German effort to develop practical applications of nuclear fission. Bohr’s and Heisenberg’s meeting ended with anger and frustration leading to the separation, personally and professionally, of these two men. Owing to a lack of documentation and the varying opinions over the events of 1941, I propose to use the scientific principle of uncertainty, developed by Heisenberg in 1927, as a metaphor to broaden our understanding of the meeting between these men. Instead of using the two pairs of conjugate variables, as defined by the Uncertainty Principle, I will use four-square variables that allows for an alternate interpretation of the 1941 Bohr-Heisenberg meeting. The four-square variables involve aspects of Werner Heisenberg’s life. These are the development of his scientific work, the formation of the scientific community through collaboration, the social, cultural, and political context of Germany, and the personal and professional relationship between other physicists and between Bohr and Heisenberg themselves. My thesis seeks to determine what was said between these men that led to the disruption to their relationship. My conclusions limit the indeterminacy of the event and brings a level of acceptable uncertainties that illustrate above all that Heisenberg was a man of Germany.Item The impact of scientists' and engineers' involvement in a one-day program for middle school students at Princeton University(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2011) Greco, Shannon Lee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.This paper examines the changes in attitudes towards science, scientists and students' own identities as scientists as a result of their participation in a one-day science and engineering education outreach program. More than 450 middle school students participated in two events held on March 1 and March 4, 2011. The events, called 'Making Stuff', were each one-day materials science programs conducted by the Princeton Center for Complex Materials education outreach office. PCCM's education outreach office designed the program to include activity tables, auditorium shows and lab tours all performed by scientists or engineers affiliated with PCCM or Princeton University and its partner organizations. The aim of this paper is to show that a one-day program of direct interaction with research scientists and engineers has a positive impact on students' attitudes towards science.Item Filmmaking and science : who has the right?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2011) Spadola, Quinn Acelia; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Cindy Stillwell; Theo Lipfert (co-chair)This paper examines the relative lack of female filmmakers and physical scientists through the lens of authority. I argue that authority comes from other's confidence in one's ability to be a scientist or filmmaker. This confidence is, in part, related to how well a person fits a stereotype and belongs to the social group deemed to own the knowledge needed. Due to their analogous histories of development, the stereotypes of a scientist and a filmmaker are remarkably similar and designed to exclude women. As a result, women are not granted authority in these fields as readily as men. Some women have found ways to co-opt authority and become successful. However, until they are deemed rightful owners of the knowledge of scientists and filmmakers, women will be underrepresented in these fields.