Identification of novel fermenting yeast is beneficial to the brewing industry to develop innovations in flavor or processes. In addition, there is a growing interest in sour beers, which are traditionally produced with bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. Here, we characterize a novel yeast, lab strain 'GY7B', and its ability to…

There is both a longstanding legacy of white supremacy in education, and a plethora of resistance movements to white supremacy. Correspondingly, there are scores of teachers who uphold white supremacy at the classroom level (through curriculums, pedagogies, behavior policies, procedures, and more), and many who work to challenge and critically…

This mixed-methods study examined the implementation of trauma-informed practices at a small, rural, public elementary school in Middle Tennessee. The researchers sought to determine the impact of trauma-informed training on student absences and behavior by examining pre-implementation and post-implementation attendance and office discipline…

This mixed-methods study examined the implementation of trauma-informed practices at a small, rural, public elementary school in Middle Tennessee. The researchers sought to determine the impact of trauma-informed training on student absences and behavior by examining pre-implementation and post-implementation attendance and office discipline…

This qualitative case study aimed to identify teachers' knowledge and perceptions of culturally responsive teaching and how they implement culturally responsive teaching strategies with culturally and linguistically diverse students, specifically students with a Gullah vernacular, in an elementary school setting. The researcher stratified the…

"Citizen science" popularly refers to a participatory approach in which lay persons voluntarily contribute data toward scientific enterprise. Although citizen science may provide unique opportunities for pre-college students to engage in data-intensive science practices, little is known about whether or how citizen science interacts with…

A qualitative case study was used in this study to gain insight into six elementary school teachers' use of culturally relevant pedagogy. The teachers self-identified as culturally relevant teachers who foster high academic achievement, cultivate cultural competence, and develop critical consciousness in students to help them understand and…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and its implications of being a curricular and pedagogical intervention in terms of narrowing the achievement gap in science education for Children of Color. In using the explanatory mixed methods design, standardized test data and one-on-one interviews were…

This dissertation is an extended prescription for the inclusion of social justice in high school biology (HSB) curricula. Chapter 1 is context: a review of social injustice (mainly racism) in the US, and the specious scientific justifications for it. Chapter 2 explores how three veteran teachers introduce social justice in HSB classes. A…

Since 2008, the Ministry of Education in Grenada, where this study took place, started curriculum reform with the implementation of the HighScope curriculum in preschools. The problem is that many teachers faced challenges implementing the HighScope curriculum. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of early…

Many stakeholders emphasize the importance of diverse populations' participation in the sciences, though the motivations for this vary. Some reference an economic standpoint by emphasizing the importance of either recruiting more science workers to compete in a global economy, or of individual financial success for people from historically…

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning defines social and emotional learning (SEL) as "the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions." It…

Middle school students learn and develop at different rates which result in a variety of academic abilities within a given classroom. Middle-level educators face significant challenges when working to engage and instruct students. Innovative instructional practices that incorporate digital and non-digital tools are needed to create a dynamic,…

Numerous research based social emotional learning curriculums are available to school districts. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential impact of Second Step, a researched social emotional learning curriculum, and the impact it had on kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students' discipline in school. This…

Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a staple in the education system. The need for programs that support the overall well-being of students has become increasingly prevalent in today's society. There is an increase in the number of students experiencing anxiety and symptoms of depression as a result of the pandemic. Students in rural school…