CED student researchers shine in competition
Three College of Education students researching better ways to teach, counsel and close achievement gaps among struggling students earned first, second and third place finishes in the 36th annual Cal State Long Beach Student Research Competition earlier this month.
CLAUDINE MALOLES
Claudine Maloles, a graduate student in the Early Childhood Education master’s program, placed first. Her research focuses on barriers to participation in high-impact practices such as internships, undergraduate research and service-learning opportunities faced by students of color.
Maloles is an early childhood education major and will graduate this spring. She earned her bachelor’s degree in child development and family studies in 2021. She has been researching higher education with Dr. Kim Kelly since 2019 and investigating STEM learning in informal science learning environments with families.
She also works as an early childhood instructional assistant at a preschool.
After graduation, Maloles will work at New York University as a summer research intern to explore how to help STEM learning become more accessible for families of color, and then plans to apply to Ph.D. in developmental psychology programs.
DAVID IFEDIBA
Placing second was David Ifediba, a third-year school psychology student whose research examines the relationship between academic school satisfaction, school safety and levels of happiness among school-age African-American males compared to their Hispanic and white male counterparts.
The findings are designed to identify ways to promote healthier academic outcomes for African-American youth and close gaps in health outcomes between them and other majority populations.Ifediba will be receiving his educational specialist degree with a pupil personnel services credential this May and after graduation plans to continue as a school psychologist working to bridge gaps between public and private school education outcomes, especially among young African-American males in inner cities.
ALYSSA REAMER
Alyssa Reamer, a second-year liberal studies major, placed third. Her research covered grading systems and the impact that one, Ungrading, has on students’ perceptions of themselves as learners and educators in a university mathematics course.
Data collected from 61 students showed a majority believed Ungrading allowed them to prioritize learning over their grade and many said it had a positive impact on their mental health.
After graduation, Reamer intends to pursue a master’s degree in education — she’s still deciding which one — and follow her dream of becoming a teacher.
The Student Research Competition showcases excellence in scholarly research and highlights creative activity by CSULB undergraduate and graduate students. It features oral presentations to an audience of fellow students, university community members and a faculty jury.
There were 62 presentations and 23 winners including eight 8 first-place winners, eight second-place winners and seven third-place winners.
