Diversity and inclusivity matters in STEM and without them, STEM would fall apart. In the United States, Latine and African American students are severely underrepresented in STEM fields and they obtain fewer STEM degrees compared to their white counterparts (Hall, Nishina, Lewis 2017). The reasoning behind this can be due to societal, social, individual issues, or ethnic discrimination (Wiedemann 2019). This can affect retention rates, academic outcomes, self-efficacy, and one’s socialization (Estrada 2021). Students and educators need a sense of belonging to be able to thrive in the rigorous STEM environments. Students from underrepresented backgrounds need experiences of love, kindness, and a sense of belonging regardless of their diverse backgrounds. For many students and educators, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of stress and only increased the need for compassion and kindness. Students are working from home, “juggling pets, children, elderly relatives, economic pressures, unstable internet, health disparities, political unrest, climate disruptions, racism, violence, and death” (Estrada 2021). While efforts are being made to reduce this large disparity in STEM, it is not enough. Trends in the STEM fields can also be seen at Salem State University (SSU). This presentation will describe a study that attempts to understand how SSU fosters a more inclusive STEM environment for minorities and how students can find support from others like themselves. This study employs a mixed methodology that will study the institutional diversity statement and policy at SSU, and current students will be asked to fill out an anonymous survey on their sense of belonging, experiences at SSU, and how well students feel that they are supported. At the end of the survey, there is an option where students can participate in a personal interview to learn about their experiences on campus.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can damage and destroy bacteria upon contact with each other, illustrating their ability to exert antibacterial properties. Traditionally, AgNPs are synthesized using sodium borohydride to reduce silver nitrate to metallic silver and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating would be used to further stabilize the particles. To develop a more sustainable and economical AgNPs synthesis, lemon extract was substituted as the reducing and stabilizing agent. Furthermore, these AgNPs were characterized using the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer over time, to evaluate the stability of the particles. Then, the AgNPs were tested against Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) to which their inhibition rings were measured. In this thesis, our preliminary data have shown that the greener synthesis of AgNPs using lemon extract had been effective against both type of bacteria. Additionally, the greener synthetic method was developed using a hot water bath, over the usual use of either an ultrasonic or thermostatic bath. Because of that, this budget- and eco-friendly alternative method could potentially be used in a first-year chemistry laboratory class to introduce students to the multidisciplinary field of nanotechnology by merging green chemistry and biology.

The Earth is choking from the pollution of man made plastic and the environment is in desperate need of a solution that will aid in the fight against climate change. The emerging research and production of biodegradable polymers offers hope of an environmentally safe alternative that will be able to be used in place of standard plastic. This study aims to strategize a substitute for the linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) trash bags using polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polyester. Specifically, this research investigates PCL’s manufacturing capabilities and molecular effectiveness as a LLDPE replacement. These investigations bring into question PCL’s capability to be used as a trash bag and feasible modifications of PCL are theorized to mimic the molecular properties of LLDPE. To examine PCL as a LLDPE substitute, this research study details the molecular properties and material characteristics of both materials and future experimentation. Trash bag manufacturing methods are also described in order to determine the ability for PCL to be a replacement from a production standpoint. There is a probable need for a modification of PCL in order for it to be a feasible alternative and multiple solutions are explored, including a branch addition polymerization synthesis and various polyester blends. This study also gives recommendations to fix grave concerns in regards to biodegradable plastic production. The theory of this eco-friendly alternative presents possible and adequate results as a LLDPE substitute.

In this project, STEM education in the United States and other parts of the world was analyzed. There has been an increasing number of international students studying STEM programs but not at the undergraduate level, with the exception of China and other countries. To understand what shapes the destination of students to a specific program various factors were taken into consideration: Financing, Language barrier, culture, and standardized testing.