Histology, the microscopic examination of tissues, is a pivotal tool in research. By providing a detailed view of cellular structures and their organization, this technique allows researchers to advance knowledge in many different disciplines including women’s health and ovarian studies. Studying the female reproductive system is of utmost importance due to its multifaceted effects on aspects such as biological functions, cellular mechanisms, and complex behavioral patterns in women. Therefore, the aim of this honors thesis is to refine and adapt a set of protocols from the Mayer-Dyer Laboratory for ovarian and follicular processing so that they are optimal to use in the Bimonte-Nelson Laboratory of Memory and Aging in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. The subsequent aim for the thesis is to replicate and extend the new protocols to complete histology of the ovaries from an interdisciplinary study that evaluated the consequences of hysterectomy with and without estrogen replacement for brain and cognition. This dual-pronged approach will not only contribute to the ongoing discussion regarding the effects of hysterectomy, but also provides a valuable framework for future research endeavors in the field.

Wealth Wise is an innovative initiative targeting middle school students to bridge the gap in financial literacy within Arizona's challenging educational landscape. Through meticulous research, they aim to develop a comprehensive curriculum covering budgeting, investment, credit management, and banking principles, fostering critical thinking and financial independence. Collaborations with educators and interactive teaching methods are central to their approach, envisioning a future where financial literacy is fundamental to education, empowering a financially secure society.

The Human Chain: Exploring Poetry and Public Service is an anthology of collected poems that present the relationship between poetry and the concept of public service. Through academic and literary exploration, the main ties between the two concepts were identified as (1) loss, (2) community, (3) advocacy, (4) appreciation and (5) inspiration. The collection uses poetry to exemplify these thematic ties. The results of this project could be used to strengthen the relationship between the written word and organized volunteerism. There are many real-world applications of this literary exploration and is a vitally important relationship to delve into.

The creation of this study was driven by my belief in the importance of transforming and reimagining human-nature relationships for sustainable futures and my interest in understanding the implementation of nature-based learning in schools. Through observations of children in an outdoor education setting, I sought to answer the following research questions: “How do children that have engaged in nature-based learning view themselves in relation to nature?” and “What can be observed about children’s personal understandings of nature and their personal relationships with nature in their writing and drawings?” This study was implemented with participants in third grade outdoor education classes at a local charter school in South Phoenix using multiple participatory research methods. My findings add to an existing body of knowledge and research focused on understanding children’s relationships with nature and the impacts of nature-based learning. In the conclusion of this paper, I pose additional questions about conceptualizing children’s relationships with nature and exploring their nature connectedness through research, share reflections on my personal relationship with nature, and discuss how my observations support benefits of nature-based learning as argued by existing scholarship.