Women in militaries worldwide face prejudice, not enemies, as their greatest challenge. Despite having equal skill and dedication, they encounter obstacles men don’t. Why do these inequalities persist in institutions built on honor and patriotism? Studies indicate that gender-based discrimination disproportionately impacts women, with female service members facing barriers to career progression, higher risks of mental health problems, and lower retention rates (MacDonald et al., 2020). Data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2022) suggests that 1 in 3 veteran women report experiencing military sexual trauma (MST) to their VA healthcare provider. Despite advancements in gender equality, women in the military still face challenges such as sexual assaults, harassment, lower promotion rates, and reduced expectations, which impact their effectiveness and the overall preparedness of military units (Smith, 2024). This study will interview a therapist specializing in gender-based trauma at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center to understand professionals' experiences with affected veterans, while ensuring privacy. It will also compare global military gender discrimination, focusing on countries like Israel, China, the UK, and India, using academic studies and credible reports to identify patterns and solutions.

In recent years, pickleball has experienced a huge increase in popularity across the world, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds to the courts. The accessibility of this sport and the small amount of strain on the joints is very appealing to adults. Research shows that regular physical activity can extend someone's lifespan up to 10 years, providing not only physical health benefits but also an increase in one's mental health. Pickleball, out of other sports, is distinguished by its gentle learning curve and is easily suited for anyone to be a successful player. Additionally, pickleball accessibility and slow playing dynamic make it very practical by encouraging health and also social interaction, which builds communities within the sport. This report examines the impact of playing pickleball on someone's lifespan, with particular attention to the benefits for adults. By exploring its physical, mental, and social effects, this report seeks to demonstrate how pickleball may serve as a fun and valuable tool to have a longer, healthier life. Through a hybrid research approach of quantitative and qualitative data, this research project aims to tackle the question of: How does playing pickleball affect the health of adults?

The average special education teacher makes less money than the average general education teacherBut ifSPED teachers have financial incentives that GenEd teachers don't, why do they make less money? The answer is that SPED teacher retention is shorter than those in GenED. This means that SPED teachers leave the field at such a rate that the average SPED teacher doesn't reach higher pay scales leading to more SPED teachers being new to their job therefore making less money. There are many possible reasons for the lack of SPED teachers, one such possibility is a lack of preparation/training. I chose to study that aspect of the problem because special education teachers usually leave within their first five years teaching. To gather data I'm surveying teachers in California about how prepared they feel for teaching and how the system could be improved. The survey will include multiple choice questions and free responses to get both qualitative and quantitative data. After gathering data coding will be used to find themes and statistical analysis will be used to summarize the themes.

Farmer's markets are often seen as the centerpiece of sustainable produce consumption and production… but are they? In many suburban and urban communities, farmer’s markets serve as a vital source of local produce and contribute to social, economic, and community wellness. However, existing research and preliminary findings from this project suggest otherwise, highlighting that many Americans perceive farmer’s markets as expensive and inaccessible. This study investigates how affordability and accessibility (location, timing, and other logistical factors) influence the reliance of local produce for its benefits by analyzing consumer behavior. The research examines definitions of locality, sustainable agricultural methods, life cycle assessments, and key factors affecting the carbon footprint of produce. By comparing consumer behaviors—such as purchasing decisions, preferred locations, and income levels—with contributing factors of sustainability, this study seeks to determine whether affordability and accessibility correlate with agricultural environmental benefits. Additionally, data is collected from farmers’ markets in high-, middle-, and low-income areas to explore whether farmer’s markets truly benefit both communities and the environment. The ultimate goal is to assess whether farmer’s markets effectively bridge the gap between environmental sustainability and equitable access to local produce.

The American education system has a problem. Academic statistics have a clear distinction between race, class, and economic status. There is especially a difference between African American students and white students. One of the issues that affects African American students' academic performance is the constant microaggressions that they face on a day-to-day basis. These are often seen as harmless and non-impactful, but the reality is these microaggressions aren't harmless, and may be quite far from that. I chose this topic because of personal experiences as an African American student in a predominantly white high school system. Theres been a disproportionate amount of African American students struggling academically in many different areas of school. There will be a research experiment conducted to find exactly the negative effects of microaggressions on African American students. Through interviews with members of PAUSD equity boardes there will be qualitative data collected to see if the themes correlated with Microaggressions correlate with the struggles many African Americans face in our education system.

Education in foster care presents unique challenges for children's academic development. According to the National Working Group on Foster Care and Education, only 50% of foster youth graduate high school by age 18, compared to 84% of their peers. The instability inherent in the foster care system often disrupts children's education, making it difficult to maintain academic progress or develop a strong educational identity. Foster children may struggle with motivation due to numerous commitments interfering with their studies, such as court appearances, therapy sessions, and family visitations. These obligations, along with frequent placement changes, can disrupt school attendance and study routines. Additionally, foster youth often face enrollment and credit transfer issues, leading to academic setbacks and frustration. The achievement gap is significant, with only 24% of foster students meeting standards in English language arts and 15% in mathematics, compared to 51% and 40% respectively for other students. Online or homeschool formats could provide beneficial alternatives, offering flexibility while maintaining educational consistency. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between child welfare agencies, schools, and community partners to ensure foster children receive the support needed to succeed academically and beyond.

COVID-19 heavily impacted India's economy in 2020, as it caused a 23.9% year-on-year drop in India's GDP in Q2 2020. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic caused massive drops in the quantities of agricultural commodities shipped to wholesale markets due to lockdown policies put in place during the first wave disrupting the transport of goods. A lot of research has examined the effects of the nation-wide lockdown during the first COVID-19 wave on agricultural markets, but there has been a dearth of research on the effects of later waves of COVID-19 lockdowns on agricultural markets. This paper aims to analyze the effects of the second and third lockdowns on agricultural prices and quantities in the wholesale markets by conducting a regression analysis comparing the prices and quantities during the lockdowns and outside the lockdowns across multiple commodities and states. An analysis of the lockdown policies in each state will then be conducted to explain the statistical results.

This paper explores the evolving role of data analytics in balancing the technical and creative dimensions of filmmaking. While data-driven approaches have long been used to improve financial forecasting, casting decisions, and marketing strategies, their influence is now extending into the early creative stages, including scriptwriting and direction. Tools such as sentiment analysis and predictive modeling help filmmakers align narratives with audience preferences, yet concerns remain about the potential loss of originality and artistic freedom. The study examines how data can be used as a supportive tool—enhancing, rather than replacing, creative instincts. Through content and thematic analysis of academic literature, industry reports, and case studies, the research highlights the need for a balanced approach that leverages data insights without compromising the director’s vision. Findings suggest that the most effective use of analytics occurs when data supports risk-taking and innovation, rather than reinforcing formulaic content. This work has implications not only for filmmakers but also for other storytelling industries, emphasizing the importance of ethical data use and the preservation of creative autonomy.

On average, people with bachelor’s degrees earn about $765,000 more than people with only a highschool education over a lifetime (Education and Lifetime Earnings), proving that further education is instrumental in upward social mobility; however, students that struggle to receive proper primary and secondary education have much lower rates of pursuing higher education (The impacts of socioeconomic status and educational attainment on youth success, 2022). This is in part due to the fact that the schools that serve students in low-income school districts struggle to receive the same quality of education as those in high-income neighborhoods due to lack of school funding (Logan et al., 2012). Despite the fact that this topic has been widely discussed and studied, there is a lack of progress on supporting specifically special needs students in low-income areas. Action Research will be crucial for the project because it accomplishes two main goals: identifying the problem of the lack of progress in helping special needs students in low-income areas and proposing a way to solve the issue, creating a resource for teachers to better understand and help their students. Needs Assessment Research will be crucial since the project targets a certain demographic and requires understanding of their situation in order to create a personalized solution.

This research paper highlights the pressing issue of inadequate sustainable practices in affordable housing, with over 40% of global emissions originating from real estate and a significant portion of Americans lacking access to affordable housing. Despite advancements in sustainable architecture, there is a noticeable gap in integrating these innovations into affordable housing designs, negatively impacting both the environment and the health of residents. The study emphasizes the positive impact of sustainable renovations, including increased overall health and substantial reductions in CO2 emissions and utility costs. To address these challenges, the research proposes a comprehensive investigation into new sustainable affordable housing designs, materials, and implementation methods. The approach involves content analysis and needs assessment, utilizing scientific journals and coding techniques to inform the development of a cost-effective, durable, and eco-friendly affordable housing solution that garners community support while contributing to environmental sustainability.