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SPS Undergraduate Posters
7/10/2022 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Room: CC: Exhibit Hall C
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All undergraduates are invited to join us for a brief meet-up to hear about the events at the conference and get to know each other a little.
SPS01 (07:00 to 8:30 PM) | Poster | Modeling the Omicron Wave of COVID-19 with the SIR Model
Presenting Author: Thaddeus Smith, Fisk University
Additional Author | Peter Hugo Nelson, Fisk University
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The susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) model is used to gain insights into the spread of COVID-19 in the United States during the omicron wave from December 2021 to April 2022. During that time, new COVID-19 infections are believed to have been caused primarily by the omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In our model we assume that the reported infection rate data were caused solely by the omicron variant, independent of prior infection by other variants of COVID-19 and vaccinations. We fitted the infection rate data to the SIR model using three adjustable parameters: model population size, infection rate constant, and initial number infectious. Those parameters determine the height, width, and timing of the peak in the omicron wave, respectively. The resulting model successfully explains the omicron wave in the US, thus providing support for our assumptions and indicating that there is no significant difference between selected States of the Union.
Supported by NSF Grant No. 1817282.
SPS02 (7:00 to 8:30 PM) | Poster | Creating Motion and Forces Content in an Exploratory Computer Game
Presenting Author: Fiona Warner, Bowling Green State University
Additional Author | Eric S Mandell, Bowling Green State University
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This project focuses on the creation of physics educational content and its use in a digital Story-Based Learning Role-Playing Game (RPG). RPGs provide a more engaging and relaxed environment for student learning by blending course content with story and exploration. This RPG is being built with RPG Maker MZ and we are utilizing Twine for dialogue development. Previous versions of the game with vectors and math review were shared with students, and surveys showed that student engagement was positive. Here, we further developed this version to include motion and forces content, and plan to share it with introductory physics classes, ideally in fall 2022.
SPS03 (7:00 to 8:30 PM) | Poster | Personal Neutron Dosimeter Measuring Cosmic Rays in Stratospheric Ballooning Missions.
Presenting Author: Zoe Sternberg, St. Catherine University
Presenting Author | Kaitlyn Blair, St. Catherine University
Additional Author | Anisa Tapper, St. Catherine University
Presenting Author | Hope Holte, St. Catherine University
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Helium-filled High Altitude Balloons (HABs) have been used by St. Catherine University all women’s research team to investigate the near-space environment. Due to low pressure, the balloons expand until they burst at approximately 32 km. Cosmic ray showers colliding with atmospheric particles are significant in the region where these HABs are flown. One of the constituents of the collision process is neutrons. A personal neutron dosimeter (PND) can be used to quantify neutrons through the appearance of bubbles as a result of neutron reactions with a liquid substrate. Over the years, flights have been flown consisting of a PND, heater circuit, Geiger – Mueller tubes, GPS, and a GoPro camera. Data analysis shows a correlation between the altitude of the neutrons in comparison to other shower-generated particles. The particle peak occurs between 15-25 km – correlating to the charged particle maximum known as the Regener-Pfotzer maximum.
SPS04 (7:00 to 8:30 PM) | Poster | Defining Adaptive Free Choice in a Conscious System
Presenting Author: Hannah Chapman, Saint Anselm College
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Our goal is to create a mathematical function to represent what free choice is, using primarily philosophy as well as statistical and quantum mechanics. Other researchers are working on similar projects pertaining to agency and consciousness, of which we have employed ideas from theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli (Rovelli 2020) and a group at the Wisconsin Institute (Oizumi et al. 2014). We assume the existence of free will, because regardless of whether or not we have it, we act in accordance with it. A more rigorous definition of freedom of choice must be a prerequisite to any deeper understanding of free will. The project is within the scope of theoretical physics, requiring precision about how conscious phenomenon is described within our model. Carlo Rovelli’s Agency in Physics focuses on connecting statistical mechanics with modes of agency (2020), while Ian Durham's model has been creating a function of adaptive free choice (2021).
SPS Undergraduate Posters
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