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Office of Student Research

Community Based Opportunities

Below is a list of research opportunities at local businesses and non-profit agencies. If you would like to submit a research opportunity from your organization, please contact us. Students can apply for an OSR Research Grant to fund any of the below opportunities.

Appalachian Voices

Yellow Birch Tree Study: Assist AV as they plan and conduct a study on the Yellow Birch trees which are dying on top of Grandfather Mountain . The study would focus on the reasons for the decay, what other species are in danger, and possible solutions.

Member's Perception Project: AV needs a survey written, conducted, and evaluated, about how member subscribers perceive the effectiveness and educational value of the Appalachian Voices publication.

Mountain Top Removal Education: Researchers are needed to work with the Mountain Top Removal Initiative by interviewing the land owners of coal mines and the residents who live nearby. An environmental assessment of the fall out (ecosystem, habitat change, etc.) associated with this particular mining process could be evaluated.

Contact: Matt Wasson, Conservation Director & Appalachian Voices Editor at 828-262-1500.

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Avery County Habitat for Humanity

Avery County Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.

Sub-Standard Housing & Land Use Assessment. Building upon the former work of an ASU Geography & Planning Student, continued research is needed in the mapping of sub standard housing in Avery County . Applying local statistics and comparing them to national standards will help this Habitat affiliate better focus their resources where the most critical housing help is needed (both currently and in the future).

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is currently studying the High Country food system. We support the Local Food Taskforce in carrying out a community food assessment. This assessment will describe all parts of the High Country food system - from growing, processing, and storing food to selling and eating food. The data gathered in this project will help in planning and funding necessary programs.

Food Miles: The average farm-to-plate distance traveled by food in the United States is 1500 miles. The Local Food Taskforce would like to research the average distance for food that is consumed in the High Country and what percentage of food grown in the region is actually consumed in the region? Food miles for locally-grown food can be calculated by surveying local farmers and the distribution services.

Local Agricultural Data: The Local Food Taskforce would like to gather information on local agriculture and food processing in the community food assessment. This includes information on local farmers' income and cost of living; farm labor; farm land; conventional, organic, and sustainable agricultural practices; and gardening in the community.

Research on Food Consumption: An important part of the High Country food system is food consumption. The Local Food Taskforce would like to collect information on food purchasing by individuals and institutions, specifically grocery stores, convenience stores, the farmer market, and school lunch programs. Information on local hunger programs, nutrition education, and diet-related health issues will also be needed.

  • Timeline. Fall 07/Spring 08
  • Funding from Community Partner. Potentially available
  • Contact. Chelly Richards, 828-773-8118, brwia@yahoo.com

Boone Area Sports and Events Commission

The mission of the Boone Area Sports and Events Commission (BASEC) is to make Boone and the High Country a premier regional destination through the initiation and retention of sporting and other events with the aim of boosting the general tourism economy and enhancing our local quality of life.

Sporting Event Economic Impact Study: With a goal of increasing sporting events in the area, BASEC wants to launch an economic impact study of the "Boone Round Ball Classic," a popular annual basketball event that draws approximately 100 teams and numerous fans from around the state to the Boone area. A survey needs to be created to measure the dollars spent by participants on such things as lodging, food, gas, local attractions, shopping, etc.

Once created, BASEC will help administer the survey with the ASU student/faculty research team assisting in the final data analysis and presentation. Resulting data will be used to attract increased future funding for new sporting events that bolster the area economy while improving the quality of life for year-round residents.

Eckerd Youth Alternatives--Camp E-MA-ETU

Eckerd Youth Alternatives' Outdoor Therapeutic Treatment programs provide a positive, nurturing residential program for boys and girls ages 10 to 18 who have difficulty functioning in social, family and school environments. Programs combine a fully accredited alternative school with group and individual counseling, adventure programs and relationship and communication building skills.

Pond Water Quality Analysis. The current pond on site at Camp E-MA-ETU has become unstable and contains potentially dangerous naturally occurring bacteria. The camp would like to research the current water quality issues (e.g. chemical make-up, run off, overall health) and create a master plan (or series of strategies) for improving the health and clarity of the pond so that it can be used for recreation activities.

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Habitat for Humanity (Watauga County for Habitat for Humanity)

Home Demolition Team Feasibility: Design and conduct a feasibility study of the creation of a "demolition team" to deconstruct local houses/buildings. Develop procedure and protocol for demolition team using other Habitat ReStores demo teams as models.

Contact: Jill Church, Manager, ReStore of Boone at 828-268-9696.

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Habitat ReStore of Boone

Habitat ReStore recycles overstocked, discontinued, new and used building materials, appliances, furniture, and household items donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals. These donated items are sold to the public or, when possible, used in construction of Habitat houses. In addition, ReStores contribute greatly to regional recycling efforts by substantially reducing the amount of construction and demolition debris going to the landfill. All revenue from sales goes to the local affiliate in support of its building program.

ReStore Needs Assessment/Feasibility Study for Ashe County. Based on the success (and challenges) of the Boone ReStore, research is needed to determine the feasibility of opening a ReStore in Ashe County . A number of issues need to be looked at such as: overall growth rate of Ashe County , the number of recent building permits, commercial land values, landfill benefits, citizen input, impressions and interest in such a store coming to their community.

  • Timeline. Fall 07-Spring 08
  • Funding from Community Partner. Potentially available depending on scope of project
  • Contact. Casey Pond, ReStore Manager, 828-268-9696, metropond@hotmail.com

High Country United Way

Community Agency Needs Assessment Project: HCUW would like to create a needs assessment survey that can be conduced at its umbrella agencies in order to determine what their most pressing needs are in terms of outreach to clients and infrastructure to support programs. Administering, and analyzing the resulting data are needed steps in the process. Researching a recent and similar survey of the Volunteer Resource Center would be a good starting point.

Contact: Jenny Miller, Executive Director High Country United Way at 265-2111.

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Horn in the West Theatre/Hickory Ridge Homestead

Horn in the West in conjunction with the Southern Appalachian Historical Association is a not-for-profit member organization dedicated to the preservation of the cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachian Region. They operate an annual outdoor drama as well as a living history museum of approximately 9 historical cabins/structures that are available to the public.

Historical Roots/Accuracy Study. Horn in the West would like an historical research project completed that answers how this famous outdoor drama has changed over time, especially in relation to the current production. Investigating historical records for accuracy of depicting local history and people are key, as are determining who have been some of the more famous alumni actors.

Homestead Origination Study. Hickory Ridge Homestead needs to ascertain more information on the full history of the current cabins on site. Topics to research include where each cabin came from, how it was built and by whom, specific techniques used in the building process and other pertinent data about the time period in which the home was built and occupied. The data will be used to further the living history available to the public, as well as inform staff on how best to maintain/repair the cabins for historical accuracy.

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Hospice of Watauga County

Hospice Home Feasibility: Hospice would like to conduct an assessment to determine the feasibility of creating a "Hospice House" of Boone, a comfortable place where patients can spend their final hours in the company of others. A focus on the need, use, and funding of the project would be beneficial.

Palliative Care Viability: Hospice would like to gather more information about the feasibility of moving into more palliative (long term) care for local families. A needs assessment and cost analysis of such a program would be important components.

Contact: Kimberly Setzer, Social Work Coordinator of Hospice at 828-265-3926.

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Middlefork Greenway Association

MiddleFork Greenway Association is a collaborative effort among a group of voluntary local citizens to promote an expansion of the current greenway to include an 8 mile path stretching from Boone to Blowing Rock. This multi-purpose trail will follow the MiddleFork River and feature parks and picnic tables along the way and connect to other multi-purpose trails such as the Moses Cone and Mountains to Sea trail.

Master Plan Creation. Assist in the creation of a master plan that can guide the greenway project as supporters seek to determine potential economic and health benefits, the public's interest in the trail, right of way, zoning, and engineering issues, as well as possible funding sources.

  • Timeline. Flexible
  • Funding from Community Partner. Unavailable at this time
  • Contact. Dick or Joan Hearn, 828-295-4767, toads@goboone.net

Mountain Alliance

Outcome Measures Study: Impact studies need to be created and conducted for the current students (and alumni) of Mt. Alliances youth adventure program. The project needs to focus on specific outcome measures (e.g. academic performance, confidence levels, increased health, etc.) that are associated with the program's goals.

Market Analysis Project: A market study on how similar groups market themselves and raise funds in their respective communities would be extremely beneficial. This information would help inform Mt. Alliance as they position themselves in the community and apply for funding in the future.

Contact: Todd Nolt, Executive Director at 828-263-0383.

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Project on Aging

The Project on Aging serves as the focal point for Aging Services in Watauga County and is a department of County Government. The agency encourages independence and promotes wellness by providing supportive services to the county's older adults.

Senior Needs Assessment Study: The Project on Aging would like to conduct an in-depth survey of older adults in the county to determine their needs and wants regarding services adn activities both received and not received. This survey will measure the effectiveness of current programming as well as determine where the gaps and unmet needs are in services not currently provided such as out of town medical transportation and dental care.

Students will help in the creation, administration, and data analysis of the survey to both active and infirm older adults. Surveys targeting non-participants in the community should ask about awareness of the senior centers, barriers to attending, and opinions about services and programs they would like to see.

Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes

A food pantry and food delivery program in Wilkes County . Samaritan Kitchen is a faith based program that works with everyone regardless of religious status. They prepare and deliver 1600 meals every Saturday to 500 families and serve others with free groceries throughout the week.

Wilkes County Employability Study. Ability to work and earn a living is critical to an individual's well-being. This study will seek to determine what percent of the County's population is employable but not working and the reasons behind non employment: lack of jobs, education, motivation issues, etc. This data will help Samaritan Kitchen identify and treat the root causes of hunger in Wilkes County .

New Client Outreach Strategy. In seeking out how best to expand their services, Samaritan Kitchen needs specific information regarding how many people in and outside their current distribution area are in need but not receiving services, e.g. elderly living at home, single parents, disabled citizens, outlying rural communities. Compiling this data and presenting various outreach strategies will help focus the growth of the food delivery program on the most critical needs.

Client Improvement Study. Samaritan Kitchen is interested to learn if long-term recipients of their meals are benefiting in ways beyond physical nourishment. Data collection on the number of meals received, in-depth client interviews, and measuring past vs. present client health and well-being are possible methods that could be utilized.

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Sugar Grove Developmental Day School

Sugar Grove Developmental Day School is a day care center that serves approx. 32 families in the Cove Creek part of Watauga County . In providing day care for these families, it enables the parents to work which in turn helps the economic status of the community. The center includes services for children with special needs and from low income families.

Pre-Kindergarten Achievement Gap Study. SGDDS is interested in learning what the differences are in dial screen test scores for children entering kindergarten. The study will look at children who were enrolled (and not enrolled) in daycare programs, as well as varying socio economic conditions, among other factors, in an effort to compare/contrast scores with the kind of care received prior to entering kindergarten.

  • Timeline. 06/07
  • Funding from Community Partner. Unavailable at current time
  • Contact. Pat Birdsong, Interim Director, 828-297-4226, sgdds@skybest.com, www.sgdds.org

TDA District U (Tourism Development Authority)

The TDA District U is a newly formed TDA, which encompasses all unincorporated areas of Watauga County. An occupancy tax for people staying at B&B's, hotel, etc. will generate approximately $200,000 each year. Two thirds of this money will be spent directly on tourism and travel promotion. One third will be spent on capital projects designed to enhance tourism, e.g., parks, trails, greenways, or other recreational and cultural opportunities.

Tourism Assessment & Marketing Survey (Watauga County): The TDA currently needs a detailed assessment on tourists. Surveys need to be created, implemented and analyzed to discover who visits our area, where they come from, what they enjoy doing, and perhaps what they would like to do if available. Recruiting zip code information from lodging and businesses in District U will complement the survey. Information from these surveys will help the TDA decide how to market the area and which capital improvement projects should be funded in the next and coming years, thereby dramatically improving the quality of life for both visitors and residents alike. This valuable project for the High Country will have strong business support.

  • Timeline. ASAP. Potential for ongoing related projects in the future.
  • Funding from Community Partner. Yes! Funding is available to cover costs of project/survey/materials, etc.
  • Contact. Missy Harrill , 828-773-3286, harrillm@bellsouth.net

Two Rivers Community School

A public charter school that supports each student's continuing discovery and development of self and community by providing a learning environment that is relevant, active and project oriented. All aspects of the student's experience at Two Rivers Community School will enhance his/her natural learning power. Our small school climate fosters respect, responsibility and a sense of community.

Brain Research Models & School Implementation. Two Rivers Community School is interested in using the most current information about brain research in order to improve their curriculum and teaching methods. Research is needed to document the latest findings in this emerging field and to work with school staff to determine an effective strategy for implementing appropriate models into a variety of classroom and out of classroom/experiential settings.

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WAMY Community Action

WAMY Community Action, Inc. was chartered to promote individual and family self-sufficiency in order to alleviate poverty at the root level and enhance the quality of life of the residents of Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. To accomplish this challenging purpose, WAMY has developed and operated a wide variety of programs over the past thirty-five years.

Community Resource Center Feasibility Study. WAMY is partnering with other non-profit agencies in the area to determine the feasibility of a joint community resource center that would house a number of service agencies, thus allowing people in need to get help at one location as opposed to driving to multiple places around the county. Research is needed to gauge the current need of such a facility, predict future costs savings for agencies, and determine best practices from similar centers around the State (e.g. Family Central in Ashe County).

Watauga County Healthy Carolinians (WCHC)

A partnership comprised of key community leaders, health care providers, local government, non-profit agencies, businesses, and communities of faith who come together to mobilize resources around a shared vision of health and safety.

Patient Health Improvement Study. The Appalachian Healthcare Project is a WCHC initiative to provide comprehensive healthcare to the low income and uninsured persons of Watauga & Avery County . A patient survey is needed in order to determine the level of health improvement members have received since joining the program. Statistics on overall health, number of visits to doctor, physical activity, past vs. present illness rates, emotional well-being, etc. need to be tracked and analyzed so that WCHC can plan for future programming needs.

  • Timeline. Flexible
  • Funding from Community Partner. Unavailable at this time
  • Contact. Alice Salthouse , Director of Community Outreach, 828-268-8959, asalthouse@apprhs.org,
  • Additional Contact. Kelly Welsh, Manager of WCHC, 828-268-8961, kwelsh@apprhs.org

Watauga County Humane Society

Spayed & Neutered Statistics: Statistics need to be gathered on how many unaltered (not spayed) animals there are in the county and the reasons for this. Collected information will be used to educate the community about the current problem as well as future solutions.

Contact: Lynn Northrup, Manager at 828-264-7865.

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Watauga County Library

Serves greater Watauga County with two fully functioning libraries and related services such as one on one computer classes, internet research, and special programming for children and seniors.

Community Outreach/Services Effectiveness Study. The Library is wondering how effective they are in meeting the needs of individual users as well as the broader community. What services are patrons desiring, what could be improved, how could non-users be drawn in, and how can the Library stay current in the face of new technologies making paperback books more obsolete are all important questions. Creating user surveys, interpreting data, and making suggestions for new programs and/or strategic directions are needed.

  • Timeline. 06/07, Flexible
  • Funding from Community Partner. Potentially available depending on qualifying grants
  • Contact. John Blake, County Librarian, 828-264-8784, jblake@arlibrary.org, www.arlibrary.org

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Watauga Education Foundation

The Watauga Education Foundation has been working to support local teachers and enhance learning in the classroom for more than 15 years. We do this by raising funds for projects not funded through regular state or local budgets - worthwhile projects that introduce and reinforce arts and enrichment activities to our children, improve graduation rates, and increase community participation in each of our public schools.

Education Investment: A Community Portfolio. This is a multi-tiered project that would first establish the total dollar investment that community members of Watauga County make toward local education. Data on private and commercial giving, local grants, as well as school fundraisers, etc., needs to be compiled to arrive at a total dollar figure. Secondly, this figure would be compared to other counties across the state, as well as the nation, in order to determine how Watauga County compares with their counterparts. Thirdly, research is needed on the amount of money school systems spend on professional development for their staff and the resulting level of staff turnover, job satisfaction, and successful student achievement.

  • Timeline. Fall 07-Spring 08
  • Funding from Community Partner. Dependent on available grants at the time
  • Contact. Sara Massey, Executive Director, 828-268-1273, wefnc@hotmail.com, www.wefnc.org

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