Session 1A: Room 12-113

A Unique Lesbian Gender: Adrienne Rich's Exploration of Lesbian Identity and How It Reconciles the Waves of Feminism

Beau Wagner
Professor Yulanda McKinney (English)

Adrienne Rich was a prominent lesbian feminist, making strides in her community during the second wave of feminism. In her 1973 poem "Diving into the Wreck," she brought that lesbian feminist perspective to matters of identity. By focusing on an in depth literary analysis of the symbolism and word choice used in her poem, I argue that Rich depicts lesbian identity as being opposed to heterosexual society: a society that limits said identity. I show that Rich was using her poem to call lesbians to identify themselves as something "other," thereby implicating a lesbian gender identity that exists outside of the heterosexual binary. Although this perspective is one typical of third wave feminism rather than second wave, I connect my reinterpretation of this poem to other, current reinterpretations of second wave feminist pieces and ideologies, as shown in an article from the Journal of Lesbian Studies. Ultimately, my analysis shows that by fostering connections between the waves of feminism, lesbian feminists across all different contexts can be valorized, allowing us to embody lesbian identity as Rich saw it.

The Hidden Atrocities of the Forgotten War: Jeju 4·3

Alex Rees
Professor Michael Boester (Chemistry and Geosciences)

During the Korean War, both sides of the conflict massacred innocent civilians. However, the misdeeds of the North Koreans and communists are far more widely known than those of the United States-backed Republic of Korea (ROK). Chief amongst the massacres carried out by the ROK was the infamous Jeju Island Incident, or Jeju 4·3, a violent suppression of the Jeju Islanders on suspicion of communist influence on the island over the course of seven years. This suppression led to the deaths of roughly ten percent of the island's population, the destruction of entire villages, and the razing of one third of the island's buildings. The conclusions in this presentation draw from US and ROK government documents, testimonies given by the victims and perpetrators at the time, and the scholarship of journalists, academics, sociologists, and more. By answering the central question of what the specific intent of the governments involved and the demographics of the people targeted on Jeju Island were, I establish that the crimes committed during the Jeju 4·3 incident constitute a political genocide (politicide). Furthermore, I demonstrate the significant American complicity in the events and the responsibility it holds in preventing future atrocities from occurring under its watch.

The Lasting Effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Jalisia Burno
Professor Patricia Caballero Schillaci (Health and Physical Education)

The transatlantic slave trade created systems of oppression that continue to affect the health and social outcomes of African Americans today. This literature review focuses on historical and anthropological accounts of slavery in the United States to understand how long-term oppression, from the inception of the slave trade including modern day institutionalized racial discrimination practices, is associated with ongoing health disparities. Using the Social Determinants of Health framework, this project analyzes how factors such as income, housing, education, healthcare access, and neighborhood conditions contribute to poorer health outcomes among African Americans compared to groups that did not experience the same history of oppression. This research illustrates that these disparities are not solely the result of individual behavioral choices. Health disparities are often caused by structural inequalities rooted in historical factors, which limit access to the same lifestyle choices available to people with greater socioeconomic resources. This analysis emphasizes the importance of addressing racial health disparities through public health policy that emphasizes the role of social approaches, rather than individual-level solutions alone.

Session 1B: Room 12-111

Beyond the Ban: Rethinking the Purpose of School

Matt Miller
Dr. Toya Mañón (Education & Human Services)

The 2025 New York State cell phone ban exposes a fundamental tension in modern education: the tendency to treat behavioral symptoms rather than address their developmental origins. This presentation contends that such policy responses, while well-intentioned, reveal a systemic neglect of students' emotional and psychological needs. Through a qualitative synthesis of current educational research, educational theory, and classroom observation, the presentation argues that the absence of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as a foundational framework limits schools' capacity to cultivate self-regulation, empathy, and intrinsic motivation. Integrating insights from developmental psychology and whole-child education, the analysis demonstrates that SEL not only strengthens emotional well-being but also correlates positively with academic achievement, healthier decision-making, and a more positive trajectory into adulthood. Ultimately, this presentation asserts that sustainable educational reform requires re-centering the purpose of schooling around emotional intelligence and holistic development, positioning SEL not as a supplemental program, but as the core architecture of twenty-first-century education.

Sleep Tight!: The Health Impacts of Bedbugs on Youth

Syd Ferree
Professor Patricia Caballero Schillaci (Health and Physical Education)

This research presentation examines the current state of bedbug infestations in the US, impacts on different age cohorts of youth, and the interventions used to treat the problem. Many media outlets and scientific articles state that bedbug infestations are on the rise despite a lack of concrete statistical numbers. The stigma surrounding bedbug infestations is the key factor behind many of the negative health outcomes, both physical and mental, posed by bedbug infestations. Looking at the relationship between perceived susceptibility to bedbugs and actions towards prevention through the Health Belief Model reveals that education and destigmatization makes people more likely to both recognize bedbugs and take appropriate actions. This presentation also aims to provide scientific information on bedbugs, identify adequate treatment protocols, and debunk common myths.

The Tombstone as a Diploma: A Lifespan Perspective on Psychological Growth

Desi-Rae Charles
Stephanie Weaver (Student Success & Advisement)

Eartha Kitt once stated, "I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma," suggesting that growth is not confined to formal education but extends across the entirety of life. This presentation examines that perspective through a lifespan developmental framework in psychology. Drawing on Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, self-determination theory, and research on resilience and post-traumatic growth, this analysis explores how identity formation, intrinsic motivation, and meaning making continue to evolve throughout adulthood. Psychological growth does not conclude in adolescence; rather, it remains an ongoing process shaped by experience, adversity, and personal reflection. Additionally, research linking spirituality and well-being is considered as a factor contributing to sustained resilience and purpose. By integrating developmental theory with contemporary psychological research, this presentation argues that lifelong learning is not merely educational but psychological, forming the foundation of identity, autonomy, and enduring personal growth.

Session 1C: Room 12-109

"Pantry-Pi": DWIGHT Food Pantry Inventory System

Connor Klute
Chloe Allen (Office of Student Life and Leadership Development)

The Dwight Food Pantry on MCC Campus currently has a bottleneck in the flow of items throughout the pantry; mainly an unoptimized storage system that leads to inefficient restocking, order processing and losses. This project introduces a barcode-driven inventory framework that will transform the pantry into a high-efficiency "warehouse", ensuring that the inventory of food is tracked accurately from the moment it arrives, to the moment it is distributed.

This specific project is focused on developing a fully functional simulated model of the full system. Utilizing a "Pantry-Pi", a handheld raspberry-pi mobile device with a barcode scanner, the project will demonstrate the fundamental logic like First-In, First-Out (FIFO) to prevent food waste, as well as a smart-pick algorithm that will prioritize items by temperature, weight, size, and other identifying features.

The simulation of a two-shelf mockup will prove that the hardware and software configuration will successfully assign shelving locations, manage bulk restocks, and have the ability to generate real-time inventory reports. Through the testing of these workflows in a controlled environment, this project creates a blueprint for a full-scale facility system for the Dwight Food Pantry, ultimately making the pantry more reliable for faculty, employees, and the overall MCC community.

Portable Driver Fatigue and Distraction Monitoring System

Senajith Sooriyamoorthy
Professor Benjamin Schermerhorn (Engineering Science & Physics)

Driver fatigue and distraction are major contributors to automobile accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving contributes to approximately 13% of all police-reported crashes. Additionally, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety determined that 17% of fatal crashes involved a drowsy driver. While advanced driver monitoring systems are available in some newer vehicles, the average vehicle age in the United States is over 12 years old. Therefore, many cars on the road lack built-in fatigue or distraction detection technology. This project presents the design of a portable real-time driver monitoring system that utilizes a Raspberry Pi, a compact embedded computer, and an infrared camera to handle nighttime conditions. The system evaluates the percentage of eye closure of the driver and their gaze direction using image processing powered by artificial intelligence to detect patterns associated with drowsiness and distraction. When such patterns are detected, an audible warning message is issued through a mini speaker, prompting the driver to regain focus. This presentation exhibits a prototype of a portable detection system and explores how such a system could promote driver safety.

Improved Traction Through Single-Motor 4WD Design

Prince Tuyisingize, Tyler Thomas
Professor Christopher Kumar (Engineering Science & Physics)

This project investigates the design, fabrication, and performance of a custom four-wheel-drive (4WD) RC vehicle developed in ENR-153. While most students constructed two-wheel-drive (2WD) systems, the team intentionally selected a 4WD configuration to examine how drivetrain architecture influences traction, stability, and overall mechanical performance. Prior research comparing 2WD and 4WD systems suggests that distributing power across all wheels can improve acceleration, load handling, and control—motivating the team to pursue a more complex drivetrain. Using a single motor and an integrated power-distribution system, the team designed a chassis and drivetrain capable of delivering balanced torque to all four wheels. The mechanical components were modeled in SolidWorks and manufactured through CNC milling and 3D printing, enabling rapid prototyping and iterative refinement throughout the design process. During testing, the 4WD system consistently outperformed comparable 2WD designs in acceleration, climbing ability, and stability under load. In both classroom trials and a school-wide competition, the vehicle earned first place across multiple performance categories, demonstrating the effectiveness of the drivetrain configuration. Overall, this project highlights how drivetrain design impacts vehicle performance and showcases the importance of engineering iteration, data-driven testing, and creative problem-solving in introductory mechanical design.

Session 2A: Room 12-113

Building a Lunar Base in the Face of Climate Change: Nuclear Fission, Fusion, and a Reach for the Stars

B Faulkner
Professor Carl Silvio (English and Philosophy)

Although there are many valid concerns about continuing to move forward with space exploration by building a lunar base, I hope to make a strong argument that returning to the moon is not only feasible, and worth the cost, but also offers critical benefits back on Earth in terms of mitigating climate change. I plan to discuss these benefits alongside their potential drawbacks. My main focus shall be on advancements in batteries, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion. Then I shall offer a further analysis related to the potential social advancements of building a permanent base on the moon, including international cooperation and the potential for a solution-based shift in attitude on a global scale. This presentation draws from multiple sources, including: European Space Agency (ESA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Our World in Data, Current Anthropology, and Nature Communications, as well as biology, climate, space, and statistics experts Roland Ennos, Tim Gregory, Savannah Mandel, Hannah Ritchie, and Hans Rosling.

Turning Failure into Repetition in Sports Advertising

Seungmin Yang
Professor Cole Seidl (Visual and Performing Arts)

This presentation examines how sports advertising constructs a cultural myth of self-transformation through narrative filmmaking techniques. Rather than simply depicting success, sports advertisements reframe failure as a meaningful and necessary stage within a larger heroic narrative. Focusing on selected Nike advertisements, this project analyzes how struggle, training, and repetition are visually and structurally organized to shape the athlete as a mythic figure.

Drawing on the theories of Joseph Campbell's heroic narrative, Roland Barthes' concept of myth, and Stuart Hall's theory of representation, the study explores how advertising transforms individual experience into a culturally shared meaning. In this framework, repetition functions not as the central message, but as a narrative mechanism that gives structure and meaning to failure.

The analysis is based on five criteria: depiction of failure, visualization of repetition, narrative transformation, symbolic role of the brand, and degree of heroic construction. Through this approach, the presentation argues that Nike advertisements construct a modern myth in which personal struggle is not eliminated, but reinterpreted as an essential process of becoming. In doing so, these advertisements connect individual effort to broader cultural values such as discipline, identity, and aspiration.

The Science of Shine: Exploring Lip Gloss Through Art, Chemistry, and Mathematics

Nay'osia Ridley
Professor Athesia Benjamin (Visual and Performing Arts)

I am a cosmetologist, and my project explores the development of vegan and cruelty-free cosmetic products through the combination of chemistry, mathematics, color theory, and artistic design. As the founder of Osia's Melanin Beauties, I focus on how ingredient choices, pigment selection, and product ratios work together to create beauty products that are both effective and inclusive. My research is supported by cosmetology training materials such as Milady Standard Cosmetology, along with ingredient based research and product analysis. This project focuses mainly on lip gloss formulation to better understand how ingredients like oils, waxes, and pigments affect texture, shine, and color. It also looks at how mathematical ratios impact consistency and how color theory helps explain why certain shades complement different skin tones. In addition, I compare naturally derived ingredients with synthetic ingredients often found in mass-produced products, including their potential long term effect on skin health. The research also includes guided makeup practice workbooks, which are used as both a learning and research tool. These workbooks bring together concepts from cosmetic science, color theory, and application techniques, helping users understand and apply what they are learning. This allows the project to connect the science behind the products with real-world makeup application. Due to the scope of the topic, the presentation will focus mainly on lip gloss as a case study while briefly connecting to other products such as lip liners, lashes, and press-on nails. Overall, this project shows how beauty products can go beyond just use and also help educate users on technique, ingredients, and making more informed choices.

Session 2B: Room 12-111

The Persistence of Pleasure: Rethinking the Experience Machine

Michaela Sheffer
Professor Thomas Blake (English and Philosophy)

Robert Nozick's "The Experience Machine" thought experiment functions to challenge the view that pleasure is the sole motivator in human life. We don't enter the machine, so Nozick tells us, because we believe there is more to life than hedonic pleasure. Nozick's conclusions, however, misidentify resistance to entering the experience machine as one of value-based motivation when our resistance is better explained by institutional and social barriers. Using examples of past and present social patterns, we can better identify the ways in which human behavior is fundamentally motivated by pleasure seeking behavior. By examining literature such as M.T. Anderson's novel Feed and Rabbi Abraham Heschel's essay "Religion in a Free Society" which seek to elaborate on the dangers of removing barriers to actions taken from the basest motivations we can speculate on the long-term outcomes of such a society. In doing so, we can also examine the types of barriers that exist which seek to limit the negative consequences of unmitigated hedonism. By understanding the core motivations in human behavior, we can better address the moral distress, ineffective social design, policies, and incentives that are derived from these understandings.

Liberating Men from Hegemonic Masculinity

Morreen Walsh
Professor Carl Silvio (English and Philosophy)

Hegemonic Masculinity demands that men be "something:" a provider, a conqueror, a success, a rock; to be unable to perform masculinity is not just to fail as a man it is to fall into nothingness, for without the validation of women, power, or some other external affirmation, the masculinity of the individual is denied, removed, mocked. "Fag discourse" is the process detailed by C.J. Pascoe that judges males' bodies and performances against patriarchal standards of masculinity. If a man isn't something, he is a faggot; "nothing." This nothingness is a sentiment in suicide literature that unifies the experience of queer and straight masculinized individuals living the unlivable life of failed masculinity. Larry Mitchell writes of "faggotry," of living outside of the emotional and social demands of masculinity, proving a way of life exists for those outside of masculine standards. No man is ever truly, substantively, and finally, "a real man," under hegemonic masculinity, and this causes all men pain. Queer theory provides paths for men to escape these confines, reconcile with their pain, and stop engaging in dominative relationships that isolate them.

Session 2C: Room 12-109

From Silicon to Society: Engineering's Role in Social Change

Abigail Pottinger
Professor Christopher Kumar (Engineering Science and Physics)

This presentation explores the intersection of engineering and society by examining the role of semiconductor technology and microchips in modern life, with a focus on three key areas: technological innovation, societal advancement and economic growth, and global impact. It highlights how semiconductor advancements drive efficiency, enable automation, and contribute significantly to productivity and GDP growth. The presentation discusses the positive impact of these technologies on the workforce through the creation of new, high-skilled opportunities, as well as society's ability to adapt and benefit from emerging innovations. Additionally, it examines how semiconductors support critical global industries such as healthcare and communications, improving quality of life and connectivity worldwide. Drawing on real-world examples from semiconductor manufacturing, the project demonstrates how engineering solutions fuel progress, strengthen economies, and enhance global development. Ultimately, this presentation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the transformative benefits of engineering, showing that technological progress plays a vital role in shaping a more advanced, connected, and prosperous society.

Democratizing Industrial AI: A Low-Code Framework for Multi-Modal Robotic Orchestration

Joshua Goetz
Professor Thomas Keyes (Engineering Technologies)

Academic institutions and Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are currently trapped between two extremes: rigid industrial automation that requires specialized, expensive programming, or proprietary "Black Box" AI suites from Big Tech that create vendor lock-in and high subscription costs.

This project presents a scalable, vendor-agnostic, multi-modal orchestration framework designed to bridge the gap between high-level intelligence and deterministic industrial control. The framework is demonstrated through control of a Universal Robots (UR3e) cluster. The framework utilizes no and low-code solutions, such as Node-RED, and scripting languages such as Python and JavaScript to build a cognitive layer for data orchestration and multi-modal intent (Vision, Voice, and RAG-driven knowledge systems). Autonomic, deterministic control required for safety-critical execution is provided by an Allen-Bradley L27 PLC with real-time monitoring and control via web-based dashboards and physical hardware interfaces.

By prioritizing open-source libraries and local edge execution, this framework provides the scalability to meet the exact needs of SME and academic institutions while removing dependency on cloud-based or expensive and long-term licensing from "Big Tech" ecosystems.

Session 3A: Room 12-113

Re-Envisioning as Erasure: The Unconstitutional Suspension of the Monroe Doctrine

Leslie Greenwood
Professor Carl Silvio (English and Philosophy)

The Monroe Doctrine newspaper was Monroe Community College's decades-old legacy newspaper. My presentation examines how MCC's Student Government Association (SGA) decided to suspend the Monroe Doctrine indefinitely. I evaluate the action through the constitutional and institutional framework, drawing on FOIL requests I filed, meeting records, interviews, and college policy documents. I deconstruct the decision-making process and evaluate its transparency and fairness.

I argue that the suspension raises significant First and Fourteenth Amendment concerns because student life fees were used to fund the newspaper. Supreme Court precedent establishes a limited public forum requiring viewpoint neutrality, as articulated in Rosenberger v. Rector (1995) and Board of Regents v. Southworth (2000). The absence of notice, hearings, or any meaningful appeals process suggests violations of due process and equal protection, particularly where similarly situated student organizations were not sanctioned. My research further reveals shifting institutional explanations and a lack of clear documentation to support the decision.

The proposed restructuring of student media under administrative platforms also raises concerns about government speech and institutional control over student journalism. Taken together, this case illustrates how governance decisions in public higher education can restrict independent student expression and the open exchange of ideas that colleges claim to support.

Forced Faith, Forced Birth: How Christianity Enforces Bodily Submission

Brooke Otero
Professor Carl Silvio (English and Philosophy)

This presentation offers a thorough examination of the ways in which Christianity continues to influence the laws of the United States in terms of gender norms and reproductive rights, which can normalize the bodily submission of women. Drawing upon scientific evidence from multiple sources, including the World Health Organization and the National Health Service, this presentation firmly challenges the claim that abortion constitutes murder and critiques the misusing of biblical passages commonly referenced in pro-life rhetoric. It explores how interpretations of scripture both reinforce gender-based subordination and contribute to various societal issues. Integrating psychological research on conformity, this presentation argues that anti-abortion beliefs are built up through societal pressures cultivated in religious communities. It highlights different perspectives within this belief system, including the relationship between pro-life arguments and our country's support systems; especially the benefits provided by our government to help our children thrive. It concludes by strongly urging the public to advocate for accountability, the protection of women's reproductive rights, and the firm affirmation of the separation of church and state to ensure equitable access to safe healthcare and autonomy for women.

Session 3B: Room 12-111

Shakespearean Suicidal Ideation

Loralei Lisi
Professor Elizabeth Johnston (English and Philosophy)

In the works of William Shakespeare, themes of suicidal ideation and action are alarmingly common. One of his most famous passages, the title character from Hamlet's monologue in Act 3, Scene 1, while often taken out of its context in popular culture is a meditation on ethics and reasoning for suicide. More specifically, Hamlet poses the question, is death an escape from life? In my Scholars Day presentation, I will examine this question as it appears in Shakespeare's work, using Hamlet as an example text, evaluating how suicidal ideation and action impact the text specifically relating to the characters of Hamlet and Ophelia. Beyond the play, I will also be evaluating the extent to which events in the playwright's own life could have inspired this theme such as the death of his son, Hamnet, which occurred four years before the first performance of Hamlet. In examining this context combined with the play, my presentation will provide an argument and evidence for the claim that Hamlet is Shakespeare's most personal play being most reflective of his life and worldview. Because although Shakespeare didn't die by suicide, it's still possible that these scenes may be evidence of his own mental state, something we cannot be completely certain of, but may still attempt to surmise. This is a key objective of my presentation, as well as understanding the aforementioned topics through a modern lens.

Marks of Sacrality: Location, Structure, Artistic Design, and Cultural Context of Natural and Man-made Sacred Spaces Across Millennia and Continents

Noelle Becker
Professor Scott Rudd (English and Philosophy)

This project features independent analysis of sacred spaces, places selected or designed for honoring the divine and performing important ceremonies, with context provided by art, architectural, cultural, and religious scholars, like architectural historian Robert Ousterhout. Such spaces bear marks of sacrality, meaning holiness or spiritual significance. These marks include stunning architecture symbolizing religious concepts, wall paintings emphasizing community and religious history, and elegant artistic flourishes. Some spaces also derive sacrality from sitting on historical religious sites or apart from society. I will first analyze Abuna Yemata Guh, a cliff church, and cave paintings, exploring parallel marks of sacrality in natural spaces over millennia. I will then explore how Hagia Sophia and The Dome of the Rock parallel each other as man-made spaces, specifically exhibiting the issue of shared holy ground, where religious groups argue over spaces regarded as sacred by both groups. Finally, I will compare and contrast the pairs of spaces, exploring how unique marks of sacrality affect each space's function. I will argue that political motivations behind man-made spaces set human exaltation against the glorification of the divine, such that natural sacred spaces become especially attractive for devotees seeking a spiritual experience free of worldly influences and conflict.