Honors Students Share Research at College of Education and Health Professions Symposium

Shelby Knappen

Katie Johnson

Melina Gonzalez

Which is healthier: home-packed lunches or school lunches? Can aerobic exercise alleviate the effects of the French-fried, fast-food Western diet? Honors undergraduate students in the College of Education and Health Professions shed light on these and other questions at the third annual COEHP Honors Research Symposium held Thursday, April 17, at the Chancellor Hotel.

More than 50 faculty, staff and students attended, offering the honors seniors an excellent opportunity to discuss their honors thesis research on a broad range of topics, from the effects of early skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding choice to the use of active, exploratory activities to enhance math education in elementary classrooms.

“We’ve seen this symposium grow from just four students in the first year, to six last year, and now to 13,” said Claretha Hughes, associate professor of human resources and workforce development and honors program director for the College of Education and Health Professions. “This is a great opportunity for our students to discuss their work, and especially helpful to those who have not yet defended their research. It helps them prepare for the type of questions they may be asked during their defense.” 

“This symposium is just one of many great ideas that Claretha Hughes has implemented since becoming director of our honors program,” said Tom Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions.  “We appreciate the fresh perspective and energy she brings to the program.”

A jury of professors selected the top three research projects to win cash awards. Shelby Knappen won first place for her honors thesis, “The Nutritional Value of School-Provided Lunches Compared to Home-Packed Lunches,” mentored by Carol Agana, an instructor in the department of nursing. Knappen photographed the school-provided and home-packed meals of fourth graders at a local school before and after eating, then analyzed and compared the nutritional content of each, taking into account what the students left untouched. Her findings showed that dairy intake was significantly higher in the school-provided meals, thanks to the familiar half-pint carton of milk, and that more fruits and vegetables were provided and consumed in the cafeteria meals. Sodium content was higher in the school lunches, though.

“For my child, what I would pack would not necessarily be what others pack, but for the average kid, I would say that school meals provide greater amounts of protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and fiber,” Knappen said. 

Other projects that were recognized:

Second place: Katie Johnson, “The Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact on Breastfeeding Choice at Discharge,” Nan Smith-Blair, associate professor of nursing, faculty mentor.

Third place: Melina Gonzalez, “Reliability of Void Number as a Marker of Hydration Status,” Matthew Ganio, assistant professor of health, human performance and recreation, faculty mentor.

The event concluded with a celebratory banquet for all participants.