Outliers: Students in ACTION Newsletter
May 2020
Outliers: Students in ACTION is a monthly publication during the academic year highlighting students and events in the Science and Math Education in ACTION Choose Ohio First grant program at BGSU.
Table of Contents
Reflections from the ACTION Director
Incoming ACTION Scholars
ACTION Seniors
Upcoming Events and Summer Birthdays
Reflections from the ACTION Director
by Dr. Daniel Brahier
Our seniors made some adjustments to their capstone research projects while working remotely, and instead of having live presentations of their results, they created screencasts that could be shared online. Likewise, the sophomores who had yet to present their practicum experiences created screencasts to share with one another. Freshmen in their research groups got together to create online presentations to wrap up their yearlong projects. While we all missed the opportunity to see one another “in person,” we were still able to bring all of these projects to closure for our scholars. Each cohort also had an opportunity to gather via Zoom to meet, talk, ask questions, and just spend some time together. 
 
In April, we notified the incoming freshmen in Cohort 12 (and transfer into Cohort 11) that there will not be a face-to-face Summer Bridge program this year. The university has suspended classes, camps, and workshops on campus, so we moved the experience to an online environment. Our incoming students and their parents will still go through an orientation, and new students will be exposed to much of the same content as they encounter when on campus in July, from issues in assessment and special education to science and mathematics classes. When we do return to campus, we plan to gather our incoming scholars in a variety of programs to orient them and continue with team building. This is obviously not how we have conducted business for the past 11 years, but we are diligently planning alternative experiences to ensure that our new scholars are prepared for college and are gaining all of the benefits that ACTION provides.
 
As we draw this academic year to a close, it is frankly a very strange feeling. We are saying goodbye to classes and our scholars electronically, and the seniors will graduate “on time” but will not be able to cross the stage until a later, delayed date. Still, we hold together as a family, knowing these are temporary setbacks and that we will eventually be stronger for having had this experience. As always, I want to thank Wendy and Cindy for their hard work this year in (and out of!) the office, as well as Ashley and Anabel – two ACTION scholars that work for me as AYA Coordinator. Thank you also to Choose Ohio First and administrators at BGSU including Dean Shinew, Provost Whitehead, and STL Director Mark Seals, for their support of the vision of this program that has served hundreds of BGSU’s top education scholars over the past 11 years. I look forward to returning to the office sometime soon as we continue the legacy of an incredibly strong program and begin the recruitment process for Cohort 13 who we will bring to campus in 2021. Congratulations to our graduating seniors. Have a great summer!
Incoming ACTION Scholars - Cohort 12

We are excited to add another incoming group of top-notch students from across Ohio into the ACTION program this summer. All of us in the ACTION program look forward to welcoming:

Ashleigh Bettum, Fairborn
Rachel Blais, New Albany
Megan Burke, Mason
Robert Conarroe, South Lebanon
Ann Deafenbaugh, Sidney
Eli DeTemple, Westerville
Abigail Gilfillen, Troy
Elliot Gowdy, Oakwood
Hannah Grabke, Swanton (transfer to join Cohort 11)
Tressa Greiner, Bowling Green
Victoria Harrison, Columbus
Ashley Kaufhold, Strongsville
Sophie King, Maumee
Kathryn Kummer, Mason
Juliette Lemley, Lewis Center
Bailey Lemus, Mentor
Avery McFrederick, Ashland
John Plow, Avon Lake
Megan Recker, Ottawa
Paige Sellars, Springboro
Oliver Soper, Mason
Aleisa Tobin, Delaware
Sophia Tutolo, Painesville
Laney Ventimiglia, Olmsted Falls
Olivia Waymire, Versailles
Allycia Wild, Avon
Matthew Woehrman, Olmsted Township

Our newest members will make a wonderful addition to our ACTION family and we are working hard to prepare for an engaging Summer Bridge experience with them virtually in July .
May 2020 ACTION Graduates

We could not be prouder of our seniors this year. They have dealt with challenges unlike any other class in recent history, and yet, these scholars have chosen to rise above their circumstances and be successful. This group not only adjusted to student teaching online, but they also found a way to complete their ACTION capstone classroom research project for ACTION. Join us in congratulating the Class of 2020 ACTION May graduates who are listed below along with their academic major and the title of their ACTION Capstone Research project.
Emma Blevins
Middle Childhood Education
"The Effect of Mozart’s Music on Test Anxiety"
Danielle Dastoli
AYA Life Sciences & Chemistry
"Standards-Based Grading and Its Effect on Student Mindset"
Erika Emch
AYA Mathematics
"Incorporating Literacy Standards in the Mathematics Classroom"
Gail English
Middle Childhood Education
"The Relevance of Questions in the Classroom"
Makenna Geise
AYA Mathematics
"The Impact of Frayer Models in a Mathematics Classroom"
Natalie Herning
AYA Mathematics
"Exploring Students’ Interaction with Problem Solving Techniques"
Josh Hill
AYA Mathematics
"The Impact of Homework Review on Student Achievement"
Ryleigh Hufgard
Middle Childhood Education
"The Benefit of Test Preparation"
Christopher Irick
AYA Mathematics
"Building Student Confidence and Performance Through Emphasis on Academic Language"
Morgan Knight
Middle Childhood Education
"Motivation Effects on Classroom Management and Effort"
Katelyn Kundtz
AYA Mathematics
"The Impact of Active Learning on Students’ Engagement"
Josie Luthman
Middle Childhood Education
"Importance of Classroom Physical Activity"
Julia McCavitt
AYA Mathematics
"The Effects of Inquiry-Based Learning on Student Retention"
Kate McClelland
Middle Childhood Education
"Extroverted vs. Introverted Style Teaching"
Josh McPheron
AYA Mathematics
"Correcting Student Motivation in a Mathematics Classroom"
Sydney McQuate
AYA Mathematics
"The Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Student Engagement in my Mathematics Classroom"
Lauren Meyer
AYA Chemistry & Physics
"The 5 E’s of Education vs. The Traditional Method"
Ethan Peters
AYA Chemistry & Earth Sciences
"Mindset and its Effect on Student Science Achievement"
Stephanie Pfaff
AYA Life & Earth Sciences
"Think Today, Understand Tomorrow: Effects of Formative Assessments on Classroom Performance"
Alaina Sayre
AYA Life Sciences & Chemistry
"Use of Differentiated Instruction and Project-Based Learning in the Classroom"
Kyle Timmons
AYA Life Sciences & Chemistry
"The Power of PowerUps on Student Achievement"
Upcoming ACTION Activities

Senior Capstone Final Papers and Presentations due May 5
ACTION Online Senior Celebration - Tuesday, May 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Online Summer Bridge - July 12-24

To see all the ACTION summer birthdays, click on the image to the right.
As a Choose Ohio First grant program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, our goal is to produce exceptional science and mathematics teachers who will impact the next generation across the state to improve STEM areas.
Science and Math Education in ACTION
Director: Dr. Daniel Brahier
Program Manager: Wendy Standinger
Program Secretary: Cindy Fuller
Phone 419.372.6561