Location: Morrie Jones A-B
C14. “Effects of Teacher Retention Rates on Incarcerated Youth: A Literary Synthesis of Works on the Inequalities in Educational and Special Educational Services in Juvenile Detention Centers.”
11:25 – 11:45 a.m. | Classic
Student Presenters: Henry Skatvold, Jacob Thomas
Mentored by: Dr. Michelle Lelwica
Abstract
This paper addresses the systemic issue of low teacher retention rates in juvenile detention facilities, as well as how low teacher retention rates impact all youth educated within them. More specifically, we will address how teacher retention rates differ between juvenile detention centers and public schools through studies of workplace environments, legislation, and professional experience. We will also analyze the leading factors contributing to inequitable teacher retention rates between these different education environments. Our research pulls from various academic sources to show how lower teacher retention rates impact students negatively at juvenile detention centers. Our paper will answer how and why we, as future professionals and citizens, should support these educators and students in juvenile detention centers throughout the United States via legislation within our communities. Through our research, we’ve concluded that the main causes of low teacher retention include dissatisfaction with the work environment, lack of resources, and high stress due to insufficient support from administration. These factors affect students by increasing recidivism rates, and lowering future outcomes due to a lack of quality education, especially special education services for incarcerated youth. We’ve compiled ample evidence that this is a systemic issue with clear actionable solutions that have been neglected to be implemented by the Departments of Education and Justice nationwide.
C15. “Examining ICE Through the Prison Industrial Complex: Inequality, Power, and Justice in the Modern Legal System”
11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Mari Kader
Mentored by: Dr. Stephanie Lemmer
Abstract
This project examines inequality within the legal system, with a focus on how justice is not applied equally, specifically recent cases involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Research shows that marginalized groups often experience disproportionately harsher legal outcomes compared to white defendants, raising concerns about systemic bias. Disparities in wealth and power play a significant role in shaping legal outcomes, as individuals with financial resources are able to access stronger legal representation and achieve more favorable results. This project precisely explores whether teenagers and young people are aware of these inequalities, as many may assume the justice system operates fairly despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Using a Critical Race Theory framework and thinking with scholars who examine the prison industrial complex, I analyze the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of justice, particularly in high-profile ICE-related cases where videos and posts can rapidly influence public opinion. In some instances, social media has helped expose potential injustices, while in others it has spread misinformation or led to premature judgment before legal processes are completed. Recent cases have shown individuals detained or prosecuted under questionable circumstances, sparking public debate and online reactions. By combining existing research and real-world examples, this project aims to highlight how inequality operates within the legal system and how public understanding of justice is formed.
Location: Morrie Jones C-D
C16. “Spilling the Tea: Safety, Resistance, and the Platformization of Gossip”
11:25 – 11:45 a.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Jonah Krogstad
Mentored by: Dr. Amy Watkin
Abstract
Over the years, the popular Facebook group ‘Are We Dating the Same Guy?’ has developed as a form of protection, resistance, and a means of community building. In these spaces, individuals, largely women, share pictures of the men they are dating, and other members of the group respond with anecdotal experiences about these men. Through this information sharing, these groups serve as a form of resistance against harmful men in the uncertain and often dangerous landscape of modern dating. However, as these groups have grown in popularity, concerns about doxxing, or the intentional sharing of private information, have grown. In 2023, the “Tea Dating Advice” app was released. Modeled after these Facebook groups, the app became popular in July of 2025, but was subject to controversy due to a series of doxxing incidents and data leaks culminating in its removal from the Apple App Store. Gossip has historically served as a means of protection for women from harmful men, and, in many ways, the Tea app functions as a modern extension of that protection. However, its failures also highlight the harm of centralizing and digitizing that information. This presentation will explore the history of ‘Are We Dating the Same Guy?’ Facebook groups and analyze how they function. Then it will apply that understanding to the Tea app to analyze how it functioned (and failed to function) as a form of protection and resistance. Finally, it will draw implications about gender essentialism and the future of this type of information sharing.
C17. “Race Based Gender Dysphoria”
11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Qwame Martin
Mentored by: Dr. Sinjin Roming, Dr. Madison Clark
Abstract
This research project examines the concept of Race-Based Gender Dysphoria (RBGD), a framework that expands on the traditional concept of gender dysphoria. By incorporating experiences like race, culture, and systemic inequality, gender dysphoria is typically understood as distress arising from incongruence between assigned sex and gender identity. This study highlights how such distress is intensified for transgender people of color through racialized stereotypes, social surveillance, and structural barriers. Bringing in intersectionality as a guiding framework, this paper argues that gender dysphoria cannot be fully understood without considering the compounded effects of racism and transphobia. The purpose of this research is to introduce and conceptualize RBGD as a distinct yet interconnected form of dysphoria shaped by overlapping systems of oppression. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this study synthesizes already existing literature from psychology, sociology, gender studies, with Black feminist theory. It analyzes themes such as racialized gender norms, minority stress, healthcare disparities, and historical shifts in clinical definitions of gender dysphoria. Findings suggest that transgender individuals of color, particularly Black transgender individuals, experience a unique yet intensified form of psychological distress due to the interaction of racial and gendered expectations. These layered stressors contribute to barriers in healthcare access, misdiagnosis, and unmet mental health needs.
Location: ISC 201
C18. “Project NOURISH: Teacher Perceptions of Interdisciplinary Science Engagement Strategies”
11:25 – 11:45 a.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Jenny Bratsch
Mentored by: Dr. Ashley Roseno, Dr. Meredith Wagner
Abstract
Background: Interdisciplinary instruction integrates multiple subject areas and reflects collaborative approaches used in health professions for patient-centered care. Although middle schools increasingly emphasize interdisciplinary teaching, consistent implementation remains limited. This gap may contribute to lower academic performance and reduced interest in natural sciences and health-related careers. This study assessed teachers’ perceptions of interdisciplinary educational strategies that may increase science interest among middle school students. Methods: After establishing content and face validity, a 19-item needs assessment containing Likert-scale and open-ended questions was distributed via email to grade 3-8 teachers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota. Teacher emails were obtained from school websites and staff directories. A total of 48 teachers completed the survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Most teachers agreed interdisciplinary instruction connecting science with other subjects improves student engagement (76%). However, only 42% of teachers reported that cross-curricular lesson integration would be helpful for implementing engaging science activities. Responses regarding nutrition-based science lesson plans (35%) also indicated limited perceived effectiveness in increasing engagement; however 56% teachers indicated that community partnerships with health professionals was important. These findings suggest that while teachers value connections with health professionals, nutrition may not yet be recognized as an interdisciplinary tool for student engagement. Conclusion: Although literature and educator responses suggest interdisciplinary education can enhance middle school science engagement, a gap remains between recognizing its value and implementing it in practice. Few teachers identified cross-curricular lesson integration as an effective strategy, suggesting challenges in translating concepts into everyday classroom instruction.
C19. “Experimenting with Locally Housed LLMs”
11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Classic
Student Presenters: Cheryn Lindsay, Temiloluwa Afolabi
Mentored by: Dr. Ahmed Kamel
Abstract
In this research, we worked on studying the capabilities of the different APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) which have been developed to be used by software professionals to customize general AI tools (such as ChatGPT, and Gemini) for custom applications of the many available AI platforms and designing experiments to test and compare these capabilities. Our primary focus was on smaller models run on a local computer. We studied several models and their application to computer coding, literature understanding, and writing exercises. We studied the applicability of the different models to the different tasks and compared the results obtained from these different models. Finally, we performed a preliminary comparison between the use of these models and larger models over the web. This paper presents the results of this research and provides suggestions for further studies.
Location: ISC 260
C20. “Framing the North Star: Media Coverage of the 2026 Minnesota ICE Protests”
11:25 – 11:45 a.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Ross Motter
Mentored by: Dr. Aileen Buslig
Abstract
News outlets frame each story differently, but the reporting varies on geographic proximity and political leaning. Framing can result in very different interpretations and perceptions of the same event and influence audience perceptions and reactions. The purpose of this content analysis study is to understand how different news coverage varies in reporting during the 2026 Minnesota ICE Protests. This study aims to paint a clear picture of how reporting was conducted, considering geography and political ideation. I will analyze around 80 diverse news stories between January 5th and February 13th, 2026. Articles will be examined through the protest paradigm theory (Hertog & McLeod, 1995, 2001), coding for rioting, confrontation, federal confrontation, spectacle, and debate; devices used (Dardis, 2006), including characterization of protesters’ tactics and actions, reference to protesters’ appearance, and reference to protesters’ mental abilities; sourcing, including number of individuals cited and inclusion of protesters, citizens, local officials, and federal officials; and use of episodic or thematic frames (McLeod & Hertog, 1999). Additionally, photos included within each article will be analyzed through an adapted version of Kress and van Leeuwen’s (1996, 2006, 2020) multimodal analysis coding scheme, which will analyze photos based on number of individuals present in each photo, categorization of visible crowd members, and objects mentioned, including, but not limited to flags, symbols, weapons, smoke, fire, and vehicles. This study will be useful for understanding how the same story is framed across various news organizations during a politically charged event with both local and federal involvement.
C21. “An Analysis of Influences of Supreme Court Decision Making and Case Outcome”
11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Classic
Student Presenters: Aidan Dahl, Britta Nordin
Mentored by: Dr. Nicholas Howard
Abstract
The Supreme Court’s decision making can often be seen as a straightforward process consisting of the Justices’ interpretations of the Constitution relating to certain issues. However, that is not always the case. While the Supreme Court is an independent body, detached from the traditional representative democracy, and supposedly shielded from public thought, justices do respond to public opinion and other democratic inputs. To address this disconnect, our project asks why Supreme Court cases are decided in a liberal or conservative direction. We expect the Court to respond to public opinion and the nature of disagreement with the lower courts regarding their decisions, as well as variance across different Chief Justice regimes. To understand these influences and their affects, we used a linear regression model on data for the ideological direction of court opinions, public mood, Chief Justice regimes, and nature of lower court disposition. We also identified several variables which we used as controls in our modeling, ideology of the median Justice, alteration of precedent, and jurisdiction through writ of certiorari. In a vacuum our modeling showed significance across all of our models, which would prove our initial theory of their impacts correct, however this was not approached as a simply cause and effect question. When our modeling included the control variables, significance across our time period and public opinion concepts became negligible. However, lower court decision direction had a significant, inverse relationship, with the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision.
Location: ISC 301
C22. “Microgravity and the Vertebral Column”
11:25 – 11:45 a.m. | Classic
Student Presenters: Celani Gonzalez-Vazquez, Genesia Weekes, Alin Oray
Mentored by: Dr. Krys Strand
Abstract
Microgravity causes swelling of the intervertebral discs and unloading of the muscular and skeletal systems, increasing the likelihood of reloading causing pain and incidences of herniation of the intervertebral discs. The purpose of our project is to understand the strain the vertebral column faces in microgravity and to propose a solution to counteract health issues that may occur upon returning to Earth’s gravity. We hypothesize that the combined use of a proposed Space-GAC suit, exercise, and targeted massage and stretching routines will reduce the risk of intervertebral disc herniation while mitigating bone density loss and muscle atrophy. We propose that future ISS crews trial the Space-GAC suit alongside targeted spinal muscle exercise to support axial compression of the vertebral column and transition to Earth’s gravity.
C23. “An Integrated Fungal-Plant-Fish Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) as a Countermeasure for Neurocognitive Decline in Isolation and Confinement in During Space Missions.”
11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Classic
Student Presenters: Aitor Burillo Arellano, Anusheh Shreonty
Mentored by: Dr. Krys Strand
Abstract
This research proposes a multi-trophic Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS) designed to mitigate Long-Term Spaceflight Composite Stress (LSCS), which causes hippocampal GABA depletion and structural brain decay. Our “Hybrid Psycho-Ecological System” integrates Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia), Lemna minor (Duckweed), and Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) into a circular resource loop. By recycling aquaculture waste into a nutrient-rich substrate, the system provides a continuous source of targeted biochemicals that actively improve neuroplasticity and repair synaptic thinning. To evaluate this intervention, a rigorous testing framework is employed to quantify improvements in cognitive resilience and circadian stability using neuroimaging and biomarker analysis.
Location: ISC 338
C24. “Microculture over Food”
11:25 – 11:40 a.m. | Nano
Student Presenter: Dylan Knecht
Mentored by: Dr. Karla Knutson
Abstract
Ethnography is the study of peoples and their customs. This project aims to focus the study through a smaller lens onto the Concordia Dining Services food court and its microculture(s). The intent is to find a narrative, or multiple, underlying the everyday interactions of students over food. Daily observation of these groups will be recorded in field notes which, alongside six individual interviews, should establish a thorough through line in the development of this microculture. Current findings include a noticeable distinction has been observed between the Extro- and Introverted, where the extroverted will form small groups in the court’s center, while the introverted will place themselves at the windows along the room’s exterior.
C25. “Drinking the Future Part 1: Creating the foundations for a portable filtration system to combat water pollution and scarcity.”
11:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Casper Miller
Mentored by: Damian Lampl
Abstract
Due to water use in Data Centers, access to clean drinking water is a growing global concern. This concern is heightened in regions battling water scarcity and aging infrastructure in rural communities. Inconsistent monitoring systems and underdeveloped government efforts increase the population’s risk of consuming contaminated water. This project addresses the need for an affordable, personal automated system that monitors water quality, alerting users when water may be unsafe for consumption. The primary goal of this project is to develop software capable of detecting potential contamination through pH monitoring. I hypothesize that continuous pH measurement can serve as an early indicator of unsafe conditions, even when contamination is not visible, educate its user on ways to correctly clean water by providing a step-by-step guide and creating visual analyzations for users to record the best water sources for future use. Through detection and analysis automation, this system aims to support safer water consumption decision and education on the dangers of drinking unsafe water. Water samples will be collected from lakes and ponds in the Fargo-Moorhead area over a two-week period. Instruments such as a Raspberry Pi and pH probe will be integrated with Python programming to conduct cycles at 30-minute intervals. Each cycle will be recorded into pH data and stored in a cloud base for later visualization use. After collecting the system will generate optimal cleaning instructions with the then treated samples being retested. This system will offer a scalable, low-cost approach to freshwater monitoring in resource limited settings.
Location: Olin 124
C26. “Competing for Care: How Rural Minnesota Hospitals Can Thrive in Today’s Healthcare System”
11:25 – 11:45 a.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Erik Hedstrom
Mentored by: Dominic Meyers
Abstract
This project examines strategies that rural community hospitals can implement to remain competitive within an increasingly consolidated healthcare environment dominated by larger healthcare systems. This project is qualitative in nature using structured interviews with current rural hospital leadership teams. These sources were analyzed to identify recurring governance approaches and operational strategies that support competitiveness among smaller hospitals. Findings suggest that implementing community-centered decision-making models emphasizing local engagement and responsiveness to community needs can be vital for sustaining rural hospitals. This presentation highlights community decision-making models that may support the long-term sustainability of rural hospitals, with a particular focus on healthcare systems and rural hospital networks in Minnesota.
C27. “Anchors of Care: The Role of Federally Qualified Health Centers in Sustaining Rural Healthcare”
11:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Classic
Student Presenter: Karsten Stumo
Mentored by: Dominic Meyers
Abstract
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play a vital role in supporting rural communities, especially during times of hospital closures and provider shortages. This project emerged from my Healthcare Leadership coursework and a 500-hour administrative internship at a rural FQHC, where I saw firsthand the challenges of providing care in underserved areas. The presentation will be thoughtfully organized following the COSS abstract model: introduction, methods, and findings. In the introduction, I’ll provide some background on the disparities in rural healthcare and explain the federal designation of FQHCs. The methods section will detail how I combined insights from my internship experience with what I’ve learned in healthcare finance, leadership, and health policy courses. In the findings, I will highlight that FQHCs serve as vital anchors within rural health systems, harmonizing a mission-driven approach to care with financial sustainability. This presentation is a great way to connect classroom learning with real-world administrative practice. It underscores how adaptive leadership can help improve rural health equity and build resilient health systems for the future.
Location: Hvidsten Christiansen Recital Hall
C28. “Getting It Off Our Chest: Autoperformance, Confession, and Healing”
11:25 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Panel
Student Presenters: Soren Thompson, Maredith Tullbane
Mentored by: Dr. Darren Valenta
Abstract
Our goal is to give an auto performance that gives us a way to get something off our chest or confess something that’s been bothering us. I believe that our auto performance can show how getting things off our chest or essentially confessing can help the person in question to move on in a way and heal. It can be a very strong way to express ourselves and when people listen it makes us feel validated and seen. The purpose of this presentation will be to show the many ways we give auto performances in our day to day lives, whether it’s a rant about how marvel is going down the drain or just sharing one’s testimony. We all perform whether we are aware of it or not. Autoperformances at their core are the utilization of narratives. That can take the form of many things which can be arguments or confessions. The anticipated result is a deeper understanding of how autoperformances are utilized and function in an everyday context and how it can be used as a form of emotional expression and therapy in a way. Ultimately, this project argues that we are constantly performing our stories, and that intentional acts of confession can transform those performances into meaningful, restorative experiences. We plan to perform our performances that we did in our Intro to Performance Studies class.
Downloadable PDF of the Concurrent Sessions: