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Thoughts on my CSW Project

I thought that my project was going to be great to convey my research since I was going to be teaching people how to use EpiPens and Auvi-Qs at the CSW. I knew I wanted to have a poster to present the information about to devices, while explaining foods kids are most likely to be allergic to, based on my research. I got an eye-catching bright green poster, but what I didn’t realize was how boring the test EpiPens and Auvi-Q looked. I only talked to four people the entire CSW about my project, and only 3 of them actually were interested in learning about how to use the devices. It was kind of disappointing to stand around for 45 minutes while getting little interest in the work that I did. It is understandable since there were hundreds of people there moving along quickly trying to get their LBC credit and leave. I felt like I had a solid CSW project and presentation, but I barely got to present. It wasn’t a worthwhile experience in terms of the presenting side of the CSW.

Thoughts on the CSW

I did not know what to expect when I headed to the student center ballroom. I have never been to a CSW, but I had heard mixed feelings about the experience overall. First of all, no one mentioned the heat the amount of bodies in that room produced, making me in a shirt and tie very uncomfortably warm. I was unaware of the amount of students that are enrolled in the classes that participated in the CSW, and I was amazed by capacity of the ballroom. Students and professors alike were packed to the walls and isles and the only way to move around effectively was to go in a single file unless you wanted to bump into five or six people on the way to your destination. The CSW looked like a maze of poster boards with interesting and not so interesting topics. Eye catchers did their job, attracting just about every passer-by and leaving other presenters to twiddle their thumbs or talk to their peers. These have been negative observations but I feel like the experience was a positive. I personally learned some interesting things and now I recognize more faces in the hallways of PH. It was a cool experience, but I am glad it was fast paced or else someone was going to pass out from heat exhaustion.

CSW Interview Assignment

At the Celebration of Student Writing, there was one project that really stood out to me. This project was called “Effective Strategies for Performance Anxiety.” As a singer, I have to perform in front of people quite often, but I still am not fully comfortable with it. Early today I performed and I tried to compare what happened to me before the performance and while I was on stage. This research project belonged to Yujin Woo, a graduate student studying piano performance. Yujin’s project was presented as a poster and she was exploring performance anxiety and looking for a way to help ease those pressures. This was a cool topic that I could easily relate to, so Yujin and I had a long talk about music, performing, and what happens to her when she plays the piano in recitals or juries. She said that the most common thing is that her hands sweat, her knees shake, and her arms get stiff. Her research concluded that this is typical for performers, but some may differ. When I performed today, my hands didn’t circulate blood like they normally do, my knees shook, and my arms got stiff. Through surveys around the music building, although I had never seen the survey or Yujin before, she compiled what kinds of anxiety performers feel and causes to why they feel anxious about performing. The biggest finding showed that performers don’t feel adequate to perform their music, making them feel nervous and tense. When I was telling her about my performance anxiety today, she was telling me that I am a great musician and that there is no need to be anxious when there is beautiful music to be sung. This struck me as surprising because although I have heard that I should be focusing on the great music, this praise and motivation was coming from someone I had met 5 minutes prior. Yujin also told me about the Alexander technique. The Alexander technique teaches people to get rid of muscle tension, which in music, will allow the musician to focus on the music and not how tense and anxious they are. Yujin had a couple diagrams on her board about what stretches help her as a pianist and I will be giving them a try since I need to perform a piano jury at the end of the semester for the piano professors. This is a cool way to calm the nerves that I didn’t know about before the CSW, and I will be sure to give it a try for when I have to sing as well. One of the last things that I noticed was a chart about the amount of time someone practiced their music and how anxious they were when they performed. Although the people who practice more are less anxious, they still show signs of anxiety in their performance like people who practice less. It was cool to see her responses from her survey put into graphs and charts in her CSW project.

The CSW is a massive gathering of people with a wide variety of research interests. Poster boards acted as the walls in the maze that was the student center ballroom. Every person who participated in the CSW was genuinely interested in their research and was more than happy to explain and show off their findings. It was a great experience and it showed how diverse our ideas are at this university. Some research topics were more attractive than others, but it still sparked interest in those viewing their poster longer than two seconds. It was a cool experience to see so many topics explored, even if the temperature wasn’t as cool.

#CSW ENGL121

This picture compares the sizes of the EpiPen and the Auvi-Q. I also put Chapstick and my iPhone 5 case so you can compare the size to things that can fit well in pockets. As you can see, the Auvi-Q is HALF the size of the EpiPen. The width of these items were about the same. It's good to note that the Auvi-Q is actually smaller than my phone. This means it can easily fit into a pocket, making it easier to carry and you wouldn't have to worry about it falling out. The EpiPen is most likely going to stick out of pant pockets. This is why some teens do not carry around their EpiPens, since they can be embarrassed by their allergies and don't fit in. Since both injectors do the same job, it all comes down to preference. Comparing the size of the EpiPen and Auvi-Q can decide which one is purchased if carrying it around can be a burden.

This is what the Auvi-Q trainer looks like. It is compact and easily fits in my hand. As you can see, the instructions as clearly printed on it, but also has speakers so it can audibly tell you the directions. One thing that is really cool about the Auvi-Q is that the injection takes half the time of an EpiPen! Less pain! This is a really cool tester, so come check it out at the CSW!

Find downloadable EpiPen® (epinephrine) Auto-Injector instructions for use and patient information.

After looking up the video for how to use an EpiPen, I realized that it is more complicated than I realized. I will have EpiPen testers for my CSW project, but they don't truly provide the full experience. Since EpiPens are bulky and doesn't fit easily into pockets, the user is supposed to be wearing their EpiPen pouch on their belt. This can be problematic for teens who don't want to be seen carrying around a fanny pack. This link goes to EpiPen's website and provides a video of how to use it. This video is very important because unlike the Auvi-Q, you will have to know how to use an EpiPen before hand. The biggest problem with people using EpiPens for the first time is that they put their thumb over the spot where the needle comes out without realizing before it's too late. It is very important to be educated in how to use EpiPens because they are the most common epinephrine injector still, even with the Auvi-Q gaining speed.

Click the link to learn more.

The Auvi-Q is an epinephrine injector that I will be presenting at the CSW. It is a compact injector that has been giving Epi-Pens a run for their money. It does the same job as an Epi-Pen, but does it in a way that the user doesn't have to know how to give the injection before hand to use it. When taken out of it's sleeve, the Auvi-Q has build in speakers and the device then talks to you. It gives you step by step instruction on how to correctly use it. The cool thing about it is that you don't have to know how to use it before since it will talk you through what to do. This link is a link to Auvi-Q's website, where a video is provided to show how easy it is to use one of these injectors. I will have my Auvi-Q tester at the CSW so people can come by and try it out, it is really cool!

Epi-Pen test injectors! I will be using these for my CSW project to teach people how to use them when you or someone around you is having an allergic reaction. I will have them in class 4/3, so if you would like to learn more about them and try them out, feel free to talk to me and I will gladly show you!

Memo 5- CSW Project

Memo 5- CSW Project Ideas

After writing the research essay, I felt that since I wrote so much about how important it is for kids with food allergies to bring Epi-Pens to school, I would make my CSW project about epinephrine auto-injectors. The idea grew from a poster board with pictures of foods that people are most allergic to, along with statistics of food allergies, to visually show what Epi-Pens and Auvi-Qs look like and how to identify them. My idea for visually showing what Epi-Pens and Auvi-Qs was to put their pictures up on this poster board and give some quick facts to go along with it. This was going to be my final idea because it tied nicely with my research paper until I went home and told my parents about my paper. They were very interested in my paper since my younger brother has severe tree nut allergies. My mom was able to come up with the idea to interview the person I interviewed in my paper because the nurse at the elementary school was knowledgeable and friendly when it came to food allergies in schools.

One thing that I remembered from when my family first started buying Epi-Pens for my brother was that they came with practice Epi-Pens. They are great tools for teaching people how to use Epi-Pens in a way that simulates exactly what you would do if someone needed an injection. Since my research topic was on food allergies in schools, I should do something educational. My final plan for the CSW is to teach people how to use Epi-Pens and Auvi-Qs. Luckily, I have both available to me at home and will be able to bring in multiple Epi-Pen practice-injectors and one Auvi-Q practice-injector. I plan on setting up a little display with the boxes they come in, step by step instructions on how to use them, and let people practice using them on themselves. Along with this, I will show pictures of foods common to food allergies, how to spot an allergic reaction, and provide ingredient labels and outline the allergy warnings so people know where to look. The most significant information I want to communicate with my audience is how to use multiple kinds of epinephrine auto-injectors. This information will be good for teachers, future teachers, people who know someone with food allergies, parents, and future parents. This project will appeal to multiple audiences because it’s a mix of visual and tangible elements. Lots of people will need to know how to use Epi-Pens and Auvi-Qs because food allergies in children are on the rise throughout the U.S.

dylans121

Dan Janssen has eaten pizza for almost every meal for a quarter of a century. Pizza for breakfast. Pizza for lunch. Pizza for dinner. And almost always plain, cheese pizza. “I do eat a…

This article talks about a man named Dan Janssen who has eaten pizza every day for 25 years. The article says that Janssen eats about two 14-inch pizzas a day while trying to vary the types of pizza he eats. Janssen says that he had a normal diet when he was growing up but as he got older he stopped eating meat for ethical reasons and he did not like vegetables so this led to him only eating pizza. At the end of the article it says that Janssen was diagnosed with diabetes (runs in his family) when he started this pizza diet but he is in really great health. This shows that even if someone eats pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every day that they can still live a healthy life. Another article on the site about Dan Janssen says that he goes on 30 mile bicycle rides which shows that exercise is a big factor in living a healthy lifestyle.

nicolasg121

This is really interesting because I have never heard of anyone eating this much pizza. Ever. Also, I bet he isn't eating all unhealthy pizzas. Whole grain crust, 2% cheeses, vegetables, and the right kind of sauce that is healthier than normal pizza sauce could in fact be a healthy food choice. The article does mention his exercise, which will contribute to being in good health. I think that maybe he is a unique circumstance and this kind of died should be avoided, but it is both surprising and entertaining that this man can pull this off!

Allergic Living is the leading magazine for those with food allergies, celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or environmental allergies. It features in-depth articles, news and safe recipes.

This article is all about seafood allergies. It is interesting because it addresses what is safe and even how many people get shellfish and fish allergies. Most people develop seafood allergies later in life, which is hard because those people have been eating without caution all their life up until that point. Learning what kinds of fish is important because you could be allergic to different kinds of fish. The article also cautions people who are allergic to seafood to read the ingredients in ethnic foods like Asian food because fish or shellfish are common in those dishes.

piecesinprogress

I have made a lot of mac and cheese and even a lot of lighter mac and cheeses and I have to say this is hands down the absolute best mac and cheese I’ve made. It’s filled with sharp cheddar, creamy and really just fantastic. I made it for a family style dinner with friends and everyone put in their own toppings (I went with oven roasted grape tomatoes but there were quite a few bacon mac & cheeses around the table!). All my friends really loved it and it was incredibly easy to throw together. This is a recipe you’re going to want to make (and keep making)! :)

For more lighter pasta recipes go here!

nicolasg121

Mac and cheese doesn't always have to be unhealthy! My favorite food is mac and cheese, which means I am making/eating it a lot. It's good to see a recipe to make lighter mac and cheese because a lot of the recipes that I use require whole milk and everything to thicken up the cheese sauce. For using such little amounts of butter, I can see why it is less calories. The milk, butter, and cheese all contribute heavily to the calorie count and fat. It wouldn't be a bad idea to start cooking these recipes instead of the ones I usually make because it is probably 3x less calories and makes the same amount of mac and cheese.

This is the link to Zingerman's Cornman Farms. If you haven't heard of Zingermans, do yourself a favor and go to the Zingerman's Roadhouse. The food is phenomenal and guess what? All of it comes from a farm in Dexter that the chef owns! Like to know where your food came from? Well at Zingerman's you know exactly where it came from and how it was raised. This isn't intended to be a plug for Zingerman's, but it is honestly some of the best food I've ever eaten. The chef's goal for the Roadhouse is farm-to-table dining. At his farm, they grow 70 kinds of vegetables and care for over 150 animals. They do have vegan options too! Do yourself a favor and give it a try if you can afford the price tag because it is worth it and it is supporting a local business.

This article talks about the Auvi-Q. It is a new auto-injector that is becoming more and more popular in the US. Epi-Pens and Auvi-Qs are in a "war" because Auvi-Qs are taking over what used to be an Epi-Pen population. The Auvi-Q is especially cool because it is a very small auto-injector that can fit comfortably in pockets and are more discrete than Epi-Pens. Another cool thing about the Auvi-Q is that you don't have to already know how to use it before giving someone an injection. The Auvi-Q speaks the instructions to the user through speakers in the device. My brother has both an Epi-Pen and an Auvi-Q and he seems to like the Auvi-Q more than the Epi-Pen because it is easier to carry around and not as obvious that he has him on it. I've been trained to use both and I really like the Auvi-Q. For the CSW project, I will be teaching people how to use both and be giving demonstrations on them!

This tweet doesn't come as much of a surprise after watching the family from Food Inc. eat fast food because it was cheaper for them. Although I'm not sure how much truth there is to this, it does seem entirely possible. $550 a year does seen a little high though and we don't know what foods were used per category. I think it is true that eating healthy will cost more, but to what degree is up to the consumer. Since I buy groceries for myself, I look at the price first. If I can cut down the price without cutting down health I will, but that isn't always the case. It is easy for me to believe that eating healthy meals over unhealthy meals will be more expensive, but probably won't be close to $550 more expensive.

having-a-healthy-lifestyle

nicolasg121

I have been told that eating better will give me more energy, but I wasn't aware of the other things mentioned in this picture. First, I don't entirely agree with it because you aren't losing fat by eating clean, you just aren't gaining the fats from processed foods. I feel like this goes with the weight loss because you are still gaining calories from food, that's just was food is, but saying that you'll lose weight from eating clean is a little drastic in my opinion. Diet and exercise is usually the answer for this. I do agree with everything mentioned in the picture because I personally feel better about myself after eating "clean" foods for a day. In this mental state, I am more energetic and willing to work out, which would lead to weight loss and fat loss mentioned in the picture.

Allergic Living is the leading magazine for those with food allergies, celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or environmental allergies. It features in-depth articles, news and safe recipes.

This was a really cool find on Allergic Living. It is a chart that shows 25 colleges around the U.S. and their dining halls. It shows who requires doctor's notes, if their staff are train in food allergies, food allergy safe foods, and even what is available in the residence halls. Eastern is one of the colleges on the chart and we are a good university for students with food allergies. One thing I found surprising was that some universities do not have pre-made allergy-friendly meals in their dining halls which is kind of ridiculous in this day and age... *cough cough Ohio State* Iowa State's dining halls and retail sites cannot accommodate students with food allergies. I'm surprised this is happening because food allergies as so common, that about 6-8% of their student body should have food allergies according to national data on food allergies. Universities are doing a great job at accommodating students with food allergies, but there are some universities that have a lot of work to do.

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