Six Penn State Shenango students presented their qualitative research projects at the Behrend Undergraduate Research Conference at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College on Saturday, April 18. The students completed their research under the guidance of Kathleen Mastrian, associate professor of nursing at Penn State Shenango.
Anne Churchman of Sharon presented her study, titled “Our Children and War” during the conference’s oral sessions. Churchman’s qualitative research study entailed interviewing parents, teachers and military personnel about their perceptions of the effects of military deployment on children.
The other five students, who presented posters of their original research projects, included Tracy Hughes of Farrell, who presented the findings from her study of “Media and Body Image;” Todd Dunlap of Greenville, who presented findings from his study of “Children’s Influence on Parental Spending;” Will Shollenberger of Conneaut Lake, who presented findings from his study of “Perceptions of Students and Teachers” relating to the No Child Left Behind Act; Alexandra Nagel from Hermitage, who presented findings from her study of “Myths and Superstitions of Pregnancy;” and Tim Campbell of Transfer, who presented findings from his study of “Social Side Effects of Tattoos.” Campbell also participated in the University Park Undergraduate Research Expo on April 8.
A local expo showcasing the research work of these students will be held at noon on Monday, April 27, in the Great Hall of Penn State Shenango. The public is invited to attend.