Faculty Evaluators
All of us involved in the ELI Program would like to thank the mentors
who make the Extended Learning Internship possible through
their generous contribution of time and expertise. Our community mentors are listed in the program. We also want to thank
the faculty evaluators listed below for their help and support.
Todd Bailey
Robin Barnes
Carly Bean
Ken Berger
Pat Blount
Tom Brandt
Cathy Brinkerhoff
Jennifer Calvert
Gerald Dalebout
Lee Anne Eareckson
Cathy Hannon
Diana Hicke
Sam Hoogsteen
Jason Huff
Patricia Jessup
Melissa Kirkland
Rachel Lyon
Amy McMurtry
Erik Perryman
Mark Quinn
Stephanie Sant
Mark Shipley
Cory Singleton
Dean Walker
Mike Wear
Eli Coordinators
Linda Mullin
Gretchen Wissner
ELI Presentations
Abstracts and Schedule
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MOSCOW HIGH
AUDITORIUM
May 26-29
5
Abi Frederiksen ~ Life in the Great Depression
Mentor: Angie Bailey
Why do an ELI on the Great Depression? Ever since I read Out of the Dust by
Karen Hesse in third grade, I have been infatuated with the Great Depression.
I decided to take my infatuation and turn it into an ELI based on the lives who
lived through some of the hardest times in American history.
Addison Golightly ~ It’s Contagious!
Mentor: Peggy McDonnell
“Wash your hands!”; “Cover your mouth when you cough!”; “Sneeze into your
elbow!”; these are just a few of the sayings that have been drilled into our heads
before we even knew the alphabet. They are the rules. But no one every seems
to ask, “Why?” And what exactly are these rules keeping everyone safe from?
The answer: infectious diseases, which are caused by microscopic organisms and
have been threatening the human population for as far back as we know. And
the catch? They aren’t going away. Come to my ELI and catch a glimpse of the
research I have completed on the science, history, and sociological aspects of the
disease that is currently making a comeback: Measles.
Anna Daley Laursen ~ Serial Killer Culture
Mentor: Various Interviews
I have always loved dark, intense, and often gory movies, especially if they are
about serial killers. Fairly recently it occurred to me that it was strange that I was
so fascinated and unalarmed by people being brutally murdered, so I decided to
look into it. If the same thought has ever crossed your mind, or you simply like
these kinds of movies and TV shows, come to my ELI to see what I have learned.
Some examples of movies and TV shows that would put you in this category:
Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, Se7en, Frozen Ground, The Dark Knight (yes, as in
the Batman movie), The Killing, The Fall, American Horror Story, Bates Motel
Ben Searcy-Jorgensen ~ The Art of Writing a Short Story
Mentor: Annie Lampman
Short stories are interesting creations, as the definition of what a short story is
can be quite broad. I’ve enjoyed reading short stories, and the creation of these
stories has always been interesting to me. The development of a short story
can be a long and arduous process, or it can take little time with the spur of a
great idea. Come to my ELI if you want to learn about the elements behind the
creation of a short story.
Ben Ting ~ Omnivorous Cooking for One
Mentor: Robert Kunze
When I was little, I loved the film “The Land Before Time,” and I watched
it repeatedly. In the film, the main character, Little Foot, who is a young
brachiosaurus, and his friends enjoy eating green leaves. They enjoyed eating
green leaves so much that I decided I wanted to try them. I went outside and
ate a leaf. Although the leaf was stringy and sour, I so desperately wanted to be
a dinosaur that I ate the whole thing. I now know that I would much rather be a
carnivorous dinosaur than a herbivorous one (or at the very least an omnivorous
one). And no, my ELI is not on dinosaurs, but the next best thing- cooking. Come
to my ELI and listen to my experience as an amatuer chef.
Clare Eigenbrode ~ Looking Beyond the Notes
Mentor: Ruth Boden
I’ve played cello since I was little, but recently I realized that experience isn’t
the only thing it takes to become a good musician. This semester, I worked
to improve my abilities on the cello by learning about music theory, music
psychology, the stories behind some pieces of music, and even the physics of
sound. Come to my presentation to see how much thought goes into writing and
playing every piece, and to hear the cello solo that I’ve been polishing, using my
newfound knowledge.
Craig Gee ~ What I learned From C++
Mentor: Ranger Adams
I learned about a lot of things from C++. I did a few C++ programs and some
programming exercises from the book and a C++ website. I learned about
Comments, Variables, Input and Output, Expressions, Conditionals, Loops, and
Random Numbers. The programs I worked on were called Fortune Teller, NIM,
and Calculator.
Daren Strom ~ Reptiles: Relics of Pre-historic Times
Mentor: Chelsea Rose
Both crocodiles and alligators have been here since the dinosaurs were around,
and they are in the same family as the dinosaurs. Because of this, crocodiles and
alligators are similar to the dinosaurs. Did you know crocodiles and alligators are
really dangerous? Did you know there are differences between crocodiles and
alligators? Come see my presentation and learn about them.
Devin Isbelle ~ Music Gives Us the Feels
Mentor: Brian Dryre
Do some songs make you sad? Do others make you happy? You most likely said,
“yes,” to both of those questions, and I did, too, but what I really wanted to know
this semester is why exactly music makes us feel the way it does. Come to my
ELI to learn about how you can use music to benefit your own health and that of
others, and why some songs make you feel awesome and others make you want
to curl up with some Netflix and ice cream and cry, just like an ELI student at the
end of the semester.
Elli Fender ~ Public Speaking: Not an Easy Feat
Mentor: Melissa Kirkland
From the conference room to over the fence talking, communication plays an
important role in our society, but one of the scariest forms of communication
is public speaking. For many people, finding the courage to stand and deliver
a message in front of an audience can be not only intimidating but also nearly
impossible. This semester I have focused on becoming a better public speaker
and communicator by studying and practicing public speaking techniques. Come
listen as I share some of the secrets I have learned as I discuss my journey to
becoming a better public speaker.
Emma Clark--Oral History
Mentor: Various Interviews
Most students could explain what year World War II ended or who the President
of the United States is. These are the names and dates that fill our textbook
pages. But most students would not know how their grandparent felt when he
or she heard the war was over, or what life is like for a White House custodian.
These personal stories are too specific for classes and textbooks, and so too
often die with those who hold the memories. By losing these stories, however,
society loses much more than nice recollections, but the very memories that
define the human experience.The collection and preservation of these stories
requires a technique that seeks out the narratives of “everyday people,” opposed
to those of the elites. This technique is Oral History, and the topic of my second
ELI.
Erin Ingram ~ I Used to Be Indecisive, But Now I’m Not So Sure
Mentor: Various Interviews
How exactly do we make decisions? What processes in our brains fuel our
choices, be they abstract or concrete, physical or mental, small or large? Why
do we do things that we know won’t work out? To be or not to be? As of right
now, nobody knows any of these answers, but come to my ELI to hear the best
guesses neuroscience has to offer about why we choose what we choose. Bonus:
find out why, scientifically, even if you’re on a diet you will almost always choose
to eat that piece of chocolate cake instead of the sugar-free lemon bars.
Felicity Pollard ~ The Art of Conquering French All By Myself
Mentor: Lee Anne Eareckson
I have always loved French and the language came easily to me. However,
schedule conflicts left me stranded; without a class to guide me, continuing my
French studies became increasingly difficult. I was forced to devise a lesson plan
and stick to it. And had to learn how to teach myself new information. In the end,
I was able to conquer French and be successful. So, come to my ELI if you want
to learn about teaching yourself a new language and all about French.
Gabryel Conley ~ A Breath of Innovation
Mentor: Lee Anne Eareckson
We are born able to breathe. Breathing is one of the most innate actions that
animals have and is absolutely essential for our survival. The explanation of
what makes us breathe has evolved from simple myths regarding the “breath
of life” to proven facts as to how our respiratory system operates. With tens
of thousands of deaths related to respiratory problems each year, new types
of technologies and methods are being used to aid dysfunctional lungs. Come
to my ELI presentation to learn about the anatomy and physiology of our
respiratory system, as well as how these machines interact with our respiratory
system, including an original project proposal.
Hannah Mahoney ~ The Secret of Piano Playing
Mentor: Susan Mahoney
“I always make sure that the lid over the keyboard is open before I start to play.”
-- Artur Schnabel, when asked the secret of piano playing.
This semester I began with the question “What is the secret to playing piano?”
At the end of my first goal, I realized there is no one answer. From method,
to music theory and then Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie No.1, I have learned many
answers as well as my own to this fundamental question. I hope you will join me
through my journey of learning to play the piano and discover what I found in
three months of study.
Isabell Strawn ~ Your Environment Designed
Mentor: Audrey Lancaster
Look out the window and you see a street, a couple of lawns, and maybe some
sidewalks with some trees. Seems ordinary enough, but what you’re really
looking at is landscape architecture. Not only is landscape architecture all around
us, but it supports our lifestyle and is a large part of the environment in which we
live. Come to my ELI to learn more about landscape architecture in your life and
the landscaping process.
Jack Johnston ~ Tai Chi: Where does it come from? How does it help me physically and as a person?
Mentor: Pat Blount
I’ve been doing Shotokan for about 7-8 years now, and I’ve always been
interested in other martial arts. When I heard we had a new Tai Chi class starting,
I jumped to the opportunity. With my busy schedule, I don’t have time for much
extra time, so I thought an ELI would be a good way to force time in and make
room. In general, I just wanted to practice Tai Chi. It was only after I started that I
began to wonder about how it helps my body.
Jamie Jessup ~ Technology in the Classroom
Mentors: Joy Egbert and Tiffany Ringo
Teaching has been something I’ve wanted to do since I was in elementary
school, and I jumped at the opportunity to share this interest of mine with as
many people as I could. The ability to mix technology seamlessly into lesson
plans and activities is an important part of adjusting teaching methods to the
modern age. Though some may say tradition is what our teaching practices
should be founded in, I believe that just like the world around us, education is
always changing and never sits still for very long. I’m extremely excited to show
everyone the work I’ve been doing this semester and how it’s opened my eyes to
a whole new style of teaching.
Jesse Alves-Foss ~ Playing with Magic
Mentor: Cathy Brinkerhoff
To be in a play is a commitment of exponential proportions. Learn lines, create
the character appropriate to those lines, and move appropriate to the character.
But what about the person who creates the character and dictates the lines?
Join me as I discuss my ELI on playwriting and the completion of my play, The
Comedy of Magic.
Jessica Vollmer ~ My Neoclassical Adventure
Mentor: Ellen Potratz
I have been able to be immersed in music all of my life; because of this I have
come to realize my love for neoclassical music. Artists and groups such as Yirma
and the Piano Guys have inspired me to learn the art of neoclassical composition
in this past semester. I have been diving into the components of composition
and then applying what I have learned to my own compositions. Come and listen
about my adventure of learning neoclassical music composition. Enjoy!
Jill Peery ~ I Hold With Those Who Favor Fire
Mentor: Ellery Blood
Everyone has heard of Einstein’s theories of relativity, but in terms of
understanding how our world functions, quantum theory is even more
important. The truths of quantum mechanics are so truly bizarre and simply
impossible, according to classical physics, that not even Einstein could accept
and understand all of it. Blackbody radiation, nuclear reactions, the multiverse;
quantum mechanics encompasses all of these. As Niels Bohr said, “Anyone who
is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it.”
Kaleb Johnson-Leung ~ If I Should Die Before I Wake: A Sleep ELI
Mentor: Various Interviews
Sleep is an integral part of our lives, and yet most know so little about it. Come
and learn about the dangers of sleep apnea, the many kinds of insomnia, the
effects of both REM and slow wave sleep, the dangers of sleep deprivation, the
evolution of sleep, and so much more.
Karl Erhard-Hudson ~ Philosophical Musings
Mentor: Jay Feldman
Have you ever thought to yourself, “What actually is philosophy?” Well, I
certainly have and I did an ELI on it. So come one, come all, if you wish to learn
all about the secrets of the universe and other such assorted existential goodies.
Or don’t. No worries. Find your own philosophy. That’s kinda the point, I think.
Katie Dial ~ How to Manage The Business World
Mentor: Sam Dial
This semester I spent countless hours learning how to become a manager at Sam
Dial Jewelers. Natural selling abilities may run in the Dial family, but that didn’t
stop me from learning all the other components to management. I developed
my customer service skills by researching the best techniques and putting
them to the test. I also conducted an internship at Sam Dial Jewelers and found
out that it was harder than expected. Throughout my research I discovered an
interest in pleasing customers and developing skills in the field you work in.
Kristina Davenport ~ Equine Measurement: How to Test for Success
Mentor: Mike Frederickson
Throughout my life, I have heard stories of amazing equine athletes. These
famous athletes have made history in their discipline of riding, as they have what
it takes, both mentally and physically, to win. But how can you tell if you have
a Secretariat in your very own backyard? Come see my ELI on the art of equine
measurement and find out!
Leah Davis ~ Animation’s Insane (and So Am I)
Mentor: Greg Turner-Rahman
Ever since I was little, I’ve loved Disney movies. They were just such visually
beautiful movies. Then, I started drawing and decided that I wanted to work for
Disney or another animation company. This semester, I worked on making that
dream a reality by animating. So, come to my ELI if you want to see some pretty
cool art (*toot, toot*) and some kinda cool animation.
Luisa Graden ~ Eloquently Cramming into Boxes
Mentor: Kurt Queller
I imagine that being born is a confusing event. Though you are surrounded
by reality, that reality has no meaning to you. This semester I endeavored to
question why we have assigned the meaning we have to reality. Why are red and
orange different colors, but not light and dark blue? Why do we segregate based
on race instead of by shoe-size? Why do some cultures value burkas while others
promote bikinis? The answer to these questions are not inherent, universal
principles, but rather constructions of a seemingly-shared reality. We have
created the meaning that makes everything we do possible. This ELI has required
returning to the day I was born and realizing that everything I thought was real,
isn’t. Or at least… only partially.
Luke Miller ~ Chomsky Is Dead (His Funeral Will Be Held in the Arcuate
Fasciculus)
Mentor: Kurt Queller
The modern study of linguistics is an ongoing fight for relevancy. While
struggling to stay relevant in my studies, I also fell down a rabbit hole of other
questions regarding the brain, human nature, and whether or not the field of
linguistics is even still useful in understanding the odd relationship between the
human brain and the complex clicks and hums we call language.
Maggie Harty ~ It’s a Spectrum!
Mentor: Julia Keleher
The underlying belief in America and all over the world is that everything is a
binary, male and female, gay and straight, but that is far from true. Sexuality
and gender lie on spectrums, a collection of genders and sexualities, between
male and female, gay and straight. This is one of the many reasons why I decided
to do an ELI on gender and sexuality. As an LGBT+ teen myself, I often identify
with the struggles that others who do not fit into the binary ideal go through.
Being an LGBT+ teen is hard, and having a community in which you feel safe and
accepted is immensely important; however, a lot of controversy and prejudice
against people who identify outside of what people consider “normal” still exists,
even within the LGBT+ community. Come to my ELI if you’d like to learn more
about Asexuality, gender around the world, and how to become an LGBT+ ally.
Maia Cousins ~ Stories for the Silver Screen
Mentor: Ben James
You know the stories. You know the actors.You know the directors. But do you
know the script? My goals this semester have been to discover the world of
screenwriting, from the original idea to the mapping of the story to writing it up
and pitching it to studios where -- hopefully-- it will be made into one of the films
you know and love.
Maya Salada ~ Never Had a Song Like Me
Mentor: Jeremiah Akin
I became interested in songwriting in August with the death of Robin Williams.
I had never paid much attention to Aladdin before, but when I watched to
see Robin Williams as the genie, one of the things that stood out was the
songwriting. From there I started researching composers and performers. Come
to my ELI if you want to hear about the art of songwriting and performing!
Miles Maxcer ~ The Ant Network: A New Citizen Science Community
Mentor: Mark Quinn
Ants, those pesky little insects, are in fact one of our world’s most important
groups of organisms. I have been keeping and researching these social insects
for half a decade. This semester, I assembled a team and a group of advisors with
the goal of revolutionizing the way that ants are kept, discussed and researched.
Join us as we tell the story of The Ant Network. We will delve into the
documentary-making process, website design and coding, community building
and leadership, and citizen science.
Ned Caisley ~ Mahogany Gap
Mentor: Various Interviews
Music composition has been an interest of mine for nearly two years, and I have
long since been toying with the idea of creating a compilation of my own works.
In the midst of the busiest time in my life thus far, I somehow decided I would try
to start realizing that goal. Come to my ELI presentation to listen to some of my
original compositions and hear about a left-brainer’s struggle with the creative
process.
Patrick Robichaud ~ Fungus Amungus
Mentor: Sara Ashiglar
Did you know that two fungi may look exactly alike, but be totally different
species when looked at microscopically? DNA sequencing is a new way to
identify different species of fungi. This semester I learned the process of
sequencing fungal DNA to find out what species they might be. I did this by
extracting the DNA, duplicating a section of the DNA, and sequencing it. Come
to my presentation to see how this is done and expand your understanding on
the topic of fun(gi).
Rachel Cook~ Everyday Photography
Mentor~ Various Interviews
There is beauty in everything, from the obviously stunning sunset to the seemly
drab clump of grass out behind your house. That beauty can only be found,
however, if you look for it. This semester, I went looking for this everyday beauty,
hoping to capture it through the lens of my camera. But before I could begin, I
first needed to learn some of the basics of photography, like composition and
exposure. Come join me for an explanation of some of these concepts and a look
at some of the work I have been doing throughout the semester.
Royce Yaezenko ~ The Shadow Games of Proxy Wars
Mentor: Buddy Levy
How much would you pay to win your war? Many pay with their lives, though
they never question why they are supposed to shoot children in the head. Private
Military Companies, or PMC’s, knowingly kill people for one reason: money. They
do what they are paid to do. They will overthrow governments, deliver weapons,
eliminate entire armies, or assassinate specific individuals if they receive enough
money. As a result national armies are fading; how long until they are gone? I
invite you to come to my ELI presentation to gain a new perspective on war.
Sam Stevens’ Somewhat Comprehensive Analysis of Stock Market
Strategies and Stuff
Mentor: Terry Grieb
Do you want to retire a millionaire? If the answer to this question is yes,
then please attend my ELI presentation on investing. I will discuss common
investment strategies, examples of a few stock valuing techniques, and my
investing simulation. I have worked really hard to keep my presentation relevant
and interesting. I will discuss cows, bitcoin, mutual funds and magic cards. If you
are interested in retiring on a large amount of money or if you just want to better
understand the stock market, please sit back and enjoy my take on investing.
Sarah Peery ~ Fire and Ice
Mentor: Various Interviews
Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice… Frost meant his poem to
be symbolic, but interpreted literally, it could not be more accurate. Modern
cosmology, based on general relativity, tells us that the universe will either end
cold or hot. Einstein’s theory of relativity is one of the most important theories
in physics. It describes the universe on its largest scales, moving easily into
Cosmology, the study of the beginning and the eventual fate of the universe.
Satoka Abo ~ Preparing for Performance: The Psychology of Anxiety and
Time Management
Mentor: Ferenc Cseszko
Why do I feel like there are butterflies in my stomach? Am I ready to present?
Come to my ELI if you’re interested in learning about the psychology of music
performance and how to maximize the use of time and utilize the performance
anxiety that plagues everyone at some point in time.
Tia Vierling ~ It’s a Bird- It’s a Plane- It’s the History of Superheroines!
Mentor: Jennifer Ladino
Have you ever wanted to fly? Or be super strong? Or catch bad guys with a
golden lasso that will make them tell the truth? One superheroine who has all
of those powers is Wonder Woman. Can you think of any other superheroines?
Or even one big event that has happened to superheroines in the 75 years they
have existed? My presentation on the history of superheroines will show you
how awesome they really are. So come and learn about the history of the female
superhero!
Valeria Aizen ~ Darwin’s Finches on the Scalesia Trees:
Mentors: David Tank and Maribeth Latvis
All of you probably have heard about that famous naturalist who sailed to the
Galapagos after bailing out of medical school, noticed some fascinating patterns
between the beaks of finches and how they changed between different islands
and the habitats of the islands, constructed the first phylogenetic tree (the very,
very beginning), and formed the theory of evolution and common ancestry
(which was heavily distorted by society and considered impossible by many
people). Today that theory is taught throughout many schools in the world in
biology classes. Yep, it’s Charles Darwin. I decided to return, through my studies,
to the Galapagos, but this time not to study finches or any animals at all. I
decided to study the Scalesia genus, a plant endemic to the Galapagos islands,
which has a fascinating origination. You may be wondering why it would ever
be important to understand the phylogeny of plants on islands - well, without
plants, those finches would not have been able to survive, because they need
them for food. I hope you will join me at my presentation to learn more about
why understanding the evolution of plants is so important, and what I have
learned over the semester.
Vitoria Gray ~ Writing, Recording, and Researching Music
Mentor: Bill Buckingham
One of the biggest things almost anyone can agree on is that they like music.
Often a question in getting to know someone is, “What kind of music do you
like?” or, “Who’s your favorite artist?” Music has always been important to
me, not only in listening to it on the radio or downloading it from iTunes, but
also through playing the guitar, piano, and other instruments. This semester I
researched how to define my own sound, write and record my original EP, as well
as how popularizing music is often handled today. Come and chill while I take
you through the magical experience of slideshows, my voice, and my findings.
Wilson Guo ~ Pen and Parchment: An ELI on Western Calligraphy
Mentor: Betty Heidelberger
What exactly is calligraphy? Calligraphy is graceful lettering and messy ink
blotches. It is traditional wooden dip pens and modern felt-tip markers. It is
the years of history and society condensed and packed into ink and transferred
onto paper. It is an unique artform that requires creativity and fluidity, but
also structure and order. So again, what exactly is calligraphy? To get a more
comprehensive, and hopefully also more coherent, answer, come to my ELI!