Projects from 2021 Fall Semester
By Grace Dolan

Joseph Membrino presented a sailing center that he created for the Narragansett area that would be ideal for fishermen in the early hours of the morning or late at night since there would be a light built on the structure so it would be easy to spot from the harbor.

This structure would become a part of the fishing community. Membrino wanted to base it on a beacon structure and spot where people could come together. The top floor would be for fishermen only and the first floor would be open to the community. The whole point of this structure is to look inviting and warm, essentially creating it as a community center. Grass and trees surrounding the center would appeal to people to stay around. The main thing that Membrino learned is that a community center can “make or break” a town depending on how nice it is.

Importance of Reducing Food Waste
By: Alivia Adolf

Julia Sullivan and Maddie Hyer presented a virtual infographic on the serious impact that food waste poses on the current environment. The two explain how carbon dioxide levels have rapidly increased in the past 50 years and the increase has been directly linked to human activity. In comparison to restaurants’ food waste, at-home food waste is almost double.
In offering solutions, Sullivan dove right into the benefits of meal planning.
“Set up a meal plan for yourself. Know what foods you want to eat and how much you will actually eat,” Sullivan said.
Hyer then explained that part of meal planning is making a list. “Shop from a list when you go to the store. Check your cabinets and see what you have. This will stop you from overbuying,” Hyer added.

Bilingualism in Law

By Anthony Bambus

Megan Dosouto, a legal studies and Spanish major at RWU, presented her honors capstone project on “Bilingualism in Law.” Dosouto addressed the need for multi-language attorneys for clients not fluent in English. With 13.5% of the American population being foreign-born, the need for bilingual attorneys is quite high.

While conducting research for her project, Dosouto was able to connect with a local bilingual lawyer. During the interview, she found that being a bilingual attorney gives them an upper hand allowing them to assist clients who are not fluent in English. According to Dosouto, bilingual attorneys are also very useful in the way they assist immigrants and other foreign-born clients understand legal jargon along with getting the justice and equality they need and deserve.

Determination of the Magnetic Field Dependence of the Surface Resistance of Superconductors

By Will Nichols

A team of students including Alfred Caro, Kate Gilbert, Alexa Larson, Jasmine Leavitt, Nicole Rosa, and Elizabeth Wexler presented a poster on the “Determination of the Magnetic Field Dependence of the Surface Resistance of Superconductors.” They were approximating the solution of a problem that was proposed to them by a company that uses superconductors.

Using calculus, the team used two types of equations that could approximate the solution, which would give the company more information about their instruments. Hasala Gallolu Kankanamalage advised the team of students from his Mathematical Problems in Industry course.

LGBT Issues in Animated Pop Culture

By Hanna Morrissette – Drowne

Shannon Gribbins and Parker Schwartz presented on LGBTQ issues in animated pop culture and used two childhood movie favorites for their presentation. Schwartz’s presentation was called “Transphobia in Shrek: An Anti-Feminist Attack” and mentioned how one of the characters was a female but had a male voice and looked manly which is how most women in the transgender community are seen. Schwartz also mentioned how Pinocchio was shamed and laughed at for wearing women’s underwear.

Gribbins’s presentation was called “The LGBTQ Subtext of Surf’s Up: Progressive Understanding in Children’s Animation” and mentioned how the movie involves queer coding, which is easy for people in the LGBTQ community to pick up on but not for people who identify as heterosexual. She mentions how the main character is a straight male with feminine characteristics and he and his friend Cody are seen as the “other” or as outsiders.

Should Local School Boards Control Which Books are in the School Library

By Hanna Morrissette – Drowne

Kaitlyn Kelsey presented a poster about local school boards controlling books in school libraries. Certain books such as “Harry Potter,” “The Catcher in the Rye” and “To Kill A Mockingbird” along with others are banned from libraries, which is limiting kids’ education about certain events, especially books that are based on real life events.

Kelsey thinks that parents should not allow their children to read these types of books when they are young, but as they get older, the kids should be able to choose whether or not they want to read that particular book. Most books become banned because parents suggest to the libraries that they be banned.