Undergraduate Scholars Program

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/404

The Undergraduate Scholars Program (USP) is one of the largest multidisciplinary undergraduate research programs at MSU. We are here to help undergraduate students in all disciplines pursue research, scholarship, and creative projects.

The Undergraduate Scholars Program (USP) facilitates, supports, and promotes undergraduate research and scholarship by providing funding and logistical support directly to students.

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Injury Patterns among Skiers and Snowboarders at a Mid-Size Ski Resort
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Amtmann, Aiden
The purpose of this research project is to determine the injuries, injury rates and injury patterns of skiers and snowboarders at a mid-size Montana ski resort. This research may help gather information vital to developing policies and equipment that may help improve safety and injury rates among snow sports enthusiasts. For this project, 161 incident reports from the Ski Patrol Department at Discovery Ski Area were obtained. Each incident report was sorted through to gather information such as; skier/snowboarder, ability, gender, trail difficulty, probable injury, anatomical location of injury, etc. The data concluded that males were more commonly injured than females. Snowboarder injuries were predominantly male (76%), also these males were younger (ages 13-18) and of beginner level. Snowboarders were more likely to have injuries to their shoulders, wrists, and head. On the other hand, skiers had a sweeping majority of knee injuries. Skiers aged 6-12 and 46 and over had the most injuries. Both skiers and snowboarders obtained a majority of possible sprain/strains, with possible fractures following. Also, most incidents occurred during morning hours and on beginner level trails. Replication of this research could provide more information for safety guidelines and protocols for Ski Patrol personnel.
Story Mill Community Garden
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Mikkelson, Jennifer
The Montana INBRE program and Gallatin Valley Food Bank are exploring potential partnerships that would enable the implementation of a youth educational program at the Story Mill Community Garden. The questions guiding this project are as follows: In what ways can Gallatin Valley Food Bank best collaborate with local social service, community service, and/or corrections agencies to educate low-income, at-risk youth about gardening and nutritious food? Which potential partnerships might contribute the most towards achieving the teaching garden’s long-term sustainability goals? Which potential partnerships might reach youth facing the greatest need for healthy food, gardening skills, and/or outdoor experiences? How might GVFB best utilize this research to inform future planning and grant applications?
The lived experience of daily technology use in young adult married couples
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Stinson, Rachel
This exploratory mixed methods research project aimed to examine the affects of technology on young-adult marriages. Ten couples (N=20) were surveyed and interviewed regarding their own personal technology use within the context of their marriage, the perceived impact this technology has had on their relationship, and their general opinions of how technology impacts the relationships of their peers.
The Reward Factor for Preventative Treatment
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Stern, Zachary
Often following extended treatments that offer no substantial pain relief, patients are left frustrated, depressed, and narcotic addicted (Fordyce et al.,1967; Wargo 2016). T.E.N.S. therapy functions in a similar fashion to opioid prescription medications and Tylenol by blocking pain receptors from getting to the brain and inducing the release of opiates in the body (Basbaum & Fields 1978). The objective of this study was to identify the appeal of a mobile based form of T.E.N.S. therapy and E.M.S. A survey was created utilizing the tools from the website Survey Monkey and then dispersed through the social media outlets Facebook , Twitter, and Instagram. The goal was to measure the knowledge of electrical frequency as a pain relief option and the appeal of use and reuse if made available through a mobile phone app. Prior to the continuation of the rest survey participants were introduced to brief description of the what T.E.N.S. therapy and EMS are and how they benefit the individual. Then participants were asked a to answer a series of Likert scale statements and demographic questions. Each possible answer was given a corresponding number. Each answer given by participants was then averaged out to measure positive and negative appeal. The closer the number was to five the higher the positive appeal. The lower the average score the lower the appeal rating would be. Results validated a strong interest in an instant pain relief option brought about through mobile interface . This appeal was prevalent among various ages, regions , and education bases. Findings also brought to light the lack of knowledge that participants had regarding T.E.N.S. therapy or E.M.S. Confirming the appeal that a niche treatment option like T.E.N.S. therapy can enter into the medical market.
Evaluating and Identifying Barriers to Participation of SNAP Recipients at Farmer’s Markets
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Shealy, Luke; Groves, Gretchen
Many farmers’ markets are authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits nationwide. Farmers' markets are a potential strategy to help low-income families access fresh fruits and vegetables. However, SNAP authorized farmer’s markets are often underutilized. The purpose of this study is to identify barriers that discourage participation and propose solutions that may increase participation in the SNAP farmers' market program. SNAP recipients were recruited from one non-metro county in Montana. A mixed methods approach was used for this research. First, interviews were conducted with eight SNAP recipients who used the farmer’s market and eight SNAP recipients who did not use the farmers' market. This qualitative data was used to inform a survey distributed to the wider community. Qualitative results indicate that the following barriers exist for SNAP recipients to shop at the farmers' market: lack of awareness, marketing and signage and lack of consistent EBT machine function. Preliminary survey results also indicate lack of awareness as a barrier. Potential solutions include increasing outreach efforts to create more effective marketing in order to spread awareness. SNAP beneficiaries do not use their benefits at the farmers’ market because of a general lack of awareness of the program. To address this issue, farmers' markets should find ways to increase awareness and establish consistent venues of marketing. Other research has shown that access to high quality, fresh fruits and vegetables is limited in non-metro when compared to metro areas. These results may be applicable to efforts in other non-metro and metro areas to increase access to healthy foods and dietary quality for SNAP recipients.
Creation of an Algorithm for the Standardization of Commercial Rearing, Processing, and Distribution of Acheta Domesticus for Human Consumption within the United States
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Rolin, James
Entomophagy is the eating of insects. As the human population of the world increases so does the demand for more food. Traditional animal protein sources take large amounts of resources and area for a relatively small actual yield when compared to that of insects. Unfortunately insect rearing in the US is quite new and does not have set industry standards nor economical models of production. My research aims to help solve the model issue by using both existing data and deriving new data all to be compiled in a computer driven model of every stage of production for food insects, namely the house cricket (Acheta domesticus).
A Longitudinal Study of Parent and Child Language During Play
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Peterson, Megan
Children’s early language skills are related to numerous outcomes later in life, including socioeconomic status, unemployment, education level, and health outcomes. Language can be most easily learned between the ages of zero and three, and due to these major life implications it is important that we continue to research and understand language development during this time. Therefore, we conducted research to investigate children’s early language skills and how this may be influenced based on parent-child interactions. Through this research 249 videos were collected and both children’s and parents’ language was transcribed to capture their back and forth spoken interactions during free play. We worked with a total of 78 families when children were 12, 18, 24, and 30 months of age. Through these videos we are investigating how children’s and parents’ use of language changes over time. Our investigation and findings focus on the total number of words used by parents and children at each age, as well as the unique number of vocabulary words, also known as richness of language, used by parents and children. We found that parents’ total number of words used and the richness of their increased when their children were between 12 and 24 months of age, and then began to decrease at 30 months of age. We also found that children’s total number of words used and the richness of their language also followed these same patterns between 12 and 24 months of age with increases over time, but they experienced a steeper pattern of growth between 24 and 30 months of age. It is possible that these trends demonstrate parents’ sensitivity to their children’s growing language skills, and when those skills begin to most rapidly increase, parents respond by talking less and listening more.
Impacts of Environmental and Management Factors on the Nutritional Quality of Mint, Spinach, Tomatoes, Basil and Pak Choi and Correlation with the Functional Quality of Chinese Medicinal Herbs
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Kraner, Debra
A major problem facing the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system is the need for a balance between cultivation methods in a large-scale setting to keep natural environments in tact and a high quality herbal product. Quality is dependent on the amount of secondary metabolite chemicals that vary with agroecological management. As TCM becomes more popular, the need for high-quality herbal products also increases. I am working with Dr. Ahmed of the MSU Food and Health Lab to examine how changes in environmental and agroecological management impact the functional quality of TCM herbs. Specifically, I have carried out five manipulative greenhouse experiments of mint, spinach, tomatoes, pak choi and basil using food waste compost treatments to modify soil quality in the Plant Growth Center on the MSU campus. My hypothesis for this study is that plant samples which are put under higher levels of ecological stress will have higher levels of secondary metabolite concentrations, and thus a higher functional quality. I am measuring various parameters of botanical quality including plant vitality, biomass, and secondary metabolite concentrations. Statistical analysis will involve determining if there are significant differences between levels of antioxidants, total phenolic concentrations, biomass, and plant vitality measures between treatment groups. Findings will be applied to provide guidelines for a validated procedure for future studies on functional quality and design a management program for medicinal herb farmers. There is still a large need for research in the study of the correlation between plant stress and functional quality.
The use of social media in promoting Hispanic/Latino health and the implications for a Promotores de Salud program in Gallatin County
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Hess, Dani
The internet has become an important resource for individuals to access health information as well as for healthcare organizations to disseminate information and to connect with patients and the public. Social networking sites (SNS) in particular, such as Facebook and Twitter, have also been used by community health centers, in Community Based Participatory Research contexts, and by Community Health Workers to interact with a diverse range of target populations. Latino and Hispanic populations have been shown to have high participation in SNSs such as Facebook and are likely to be open to using it in health-related contexts. A review of the literature on the use of SNS in Latino and Hispanic health promotion programs was conducted with the intention of informing the use of Facebook in a Promotores de Salud program in Gallatin County, Montana. Findings indicated that the widespread use of Facebook, and the ease with which content can be created by all participants increase the viability of Facebook as a tool for education, outreach and engagement with participants in a Promotores program. Potential disadvantages include a “digital divide” in access to internet and in online literacy that may still leave out the most vulnerable individuals, and federally funded program collaborators that have blocked Facebook on clinic campuses. These findings will help guide the implementation of a Facebook group to help Promotores de Salud share and access educational materials and increase connection with one another and with health professionals in a rural setting such as Montana.
Exploring Connections between Food Security and Academic Success
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) Harden, Teale
It is generally accepted that in adolescents’ food security increases academic outcomes. This acknowledged correlation has resulted in programs such as free and reduced price lunch and breakfast. However, quality and quantity of food is important no matter the stage of development. This research specifically examines connections between food insecurity in Montana State University students and their academic achievement. The preliminary research question for this project was: Does food insecurity in the student population at Montana State University correlate with a lower Grade Point Average (GPA) or an increased likelihood of being placed on academic probation at some point in their academic careers? Additional research questions that were explored were: Are there demographic factors that contribute to a more significant impact on academic outcome in food insecure conditions and does knowledge about emergency food security resources impact academic outcomes by balancing out food insecurity with knowledge on how to access food? The objective of this research was to build on previous research conducted at Montana State University surrounding food insecurity to determine if there are tangible outcomes that result in decreased academic performance when students are food insecure. To conduct this research surveys were utilized to determine the level of food insecurity of respondents as well as their academic success.

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