WELCOME TO RESEARCH DAY, Salem State’s annual showcase and celebration of research, scholarship, and creative inquiry. Join us at any point in the day for engaging presentations, panel discussions, performances, and more.
The day begins with the Undergraduate Research Symposium from 9 am to 12 pm, followed by the BIAC Plenary at 12:15 pm, and the Faculty and Graduate Research Symposium from 1:30 to 6 pm, with many events taking place throughout the day.
This digital program provides participants and attendees with a seamless, up-to-the-minute scheduling experience. The search function can help you find presenters and sessions, and the My Sched feature allows you to craft a tailored plan for the day. Happy exploring!
Questions before the event? Check the Research Day FAQs page or email ssu-crca@salemstate.edu
Shaping the Future: Insights from Education Research 9:40 - 10:30 am | undergraduate panel session I Bertolon Central Classroom Building room 114
Allison Smith faculty mentor: Megan Schumaker-Murphy A Case Study of Universal Preschool in Salem, MA
This honors thesis discusses universal preschool and looks at a case study of universal preschool expansion in Salem, Massachusetts. We begin by discussing the history of public preschool, the benefits of high-quality early education, and barriers to the implementation of universal preschool programs. Then, we examine the city of Salem’s expansion of their public preschool program through discussions with stakeholders, ultimately determining the history of preschool in the city, how expansion became a priority, its current state, the vision for preschool in the city in the future, and what must be addressed in order to reach that vision.
Elizabeth Peach faculty mentor: Rebecca Mirick Assessing school staff preparation and training to recognize and report child maltreatment
The topic of my honors thesis is child maltreatment in school settings, specifically the training and preparation that school personnel have received to respond and report this maltreatment. Using survey methods, this project surveyed teachers and other school staff (N= 87) at public schools in Massachusetts. Findings indicate that the majority of participants have only received Mandated Reporter training, but many reported that they wished they would have received more training before a student disclosed to them. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that teachers and other school staff want and need supplemental training for recognizing and reporting child maltreatment.
Kelly Melin faculty mentor: Kara Morton Teaching Higher Level Vector Concepts to Elementary Age Students by Exploring the Use of Gamification
Mathematics has been known by many students to be their least favorite subject due to the complexity of the concepts, and the way in which this subject has historically been taught. However, with how practical mathematical skills are in so many diverse fields, helping foster a student’s positive relationship with math is extremely beneficial for their academic and career growth. This literature review explores how educators can make math education more engaging starting from the elementary school level while also providing students with a good math foundation that will support them in higher grades and beyond their schooling. This goal can be accomplished by introducing elementary age students to the higher-level math concept of vectors. With the application of vectors in careers ranging from STEM fields to animation, students will see how practical and useful math can be in the outside world. Combining this concept with researched-based math engagement strategies, such as gamification and hands-on activities, will help support students’ intrinsic motivation with math. This literature review concludes with lesson plan resources that educators can use to effectively teach students this practical, higher level math concept in an engaging way.
