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Lipscomb professor advocates for depth over speed in gifted learning programs
In honors classrooms, fostering deeper understanding should take precedence over rushing through content, argues Dr. Emily Mofield, Assistant Professor of Education at Lipscomb University. She proposes a new foundational model aimed at enhancing critical thinking and meaningful exploration for gifted students. Honors classes often fail to meet their potential by prioritizing speed over substance. These courses, designed to provide advanced learners with accelerated material, often mistakenly equate rigor with pace. However, true enrichment comes not from moving quickly, but from diving deeply into subjects and challenging students to think critically. Many students assume honors courses are more rigorous than standard classes. Yet, without a structured framework, these courses often cover…
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Lipscomb study links caffeine to to increased body image concerns among college women
A new Lipscomb University study reveals that caffeine consumption may heighten body image concerns and anxiety among college-aged women, particularly impacting their social physique anxiety (SPA)—the anxiety one feels about how others perceive their body. The research, led by Rachel Shannon, a 2024 psychology graduate, and supervised by Dr. Jaclyn Spivey, head of Lipscomb’s undergraduate psychology program, explores the effects caffeine-containing items like coffee and dark chocolate may have. Shannon’s findings suggest that caffeine could contribute to body dysmorphia and heightened SPA among women. “I wanted to focus on body image dissatisfaction because there is a lot more literature already on women with body image dissatisfaction,” said Shannon, explaining her…
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Chemistry professor’s research could help you avoid getting sick all the time
It’s 7 am, and you just woke up an hour before class, only to find out you have a sore throat. “Is it possible to stop getting sick so often?” you wonder. The answer is yes. Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Brian Cavitt discovered through research that it’s possible to stop infections before they even begin by disrupting biological formation in medical devices such as catheters. Cavitt was inspired to work on this project after the 2004 tsunami that struck the Indian coast and through his work in Indonesian hospitals. He noticed an increase in infection rates and discovered that bacteria procreate primarily through biofilms, which are colonies of microfilms…
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Kickin’ It – The data behind NFL kickers, how they make and how they miss
Not many positions in pro sports are as much as an anomaly as an NFL kicker. Kicking in the NFL isn’t just as simple as having a strong leg. It’s about accuracy and refinement. It’s about your other ten teammates stepping up and doing their job correctly; from the snap, to the hold, to the blocking, all the way to the kick itself. And even if some of those things go perfectly, a simple push of wind can turn a game-winning field goal that leaves you a hero, into a missed opportunity that sees millions calling for your job. It’s a job that despite all of these factors, it’s comes…
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Dirt may be more important than you think
Lipscomb University’s 12th annual Student Scholars Symposium celebrates the original works and research of students. The presentations include scientific, artistic, and musical works. Isabella Whitt, a sophomore Environmental Sustainable Science major from Lebanon, TN gives us the dirt on regenerative agriculture and soil health. Regenerative agriculture is an approach to food and farming systems using conservation and rehabilitation. “This is something people should know because if we don’t integrate this process into our current agricultural society we won’t have enough soil,” Regenerative agriculture is a practice which generates soil through nutrient cycling, carbon transformation, and support through the physical and chemical structure of soil. Soil may not be something that…
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Black holes may be capable of resonance
The only two Physics majors at Lipscomb University presented at the annual Student Symposium on Thursday, April 13th. This year, Jocelyn Howland and Søren Thompson walked through several different theories and equations that led them to their final conclusion- that spacetime may be capable of resonance. If that doesn’t make sense to you yet- hang on, we’ll get there. To make this final conclusion, the two Physics majors used thermal physics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics- all of which they had little or no experience with prior to their time working on this presentation. Now, what is a black hole anyway? A black hole is created when a star collapses…
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Can you dig it?
Archaeology is the study of past humanity. Archaeologists study those things that were used, changed, and created by humans. The thing about finding an ancient artifact like a pyramid or an aged skeleton is that you can’t put a price on it. Every artifact has a story, according to Dr. Thomas Davis. He says his route to this career “was an interest in history…I realized that the thing about archaeology is that archeology doesn’t lie.” Dr. Thomas Davis is an Archaeologist and Professor here at Lipscomb who has traveled the world to find these great artifacts. Dr. Davis has journeyed to many different places in his 40-year archaeologist career, including…
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Compassion fatigue: “eventually the foundation will collapse”
Compassion is the concern for another person’s suffering, but according to Dr. Cayce Watson, we only have so much to give. Dr. Watson has been a social work practitioner for more than 20 years and a professor at Lipscomb University for 12. Watson suspects she may be the first person with a doctorate in Social Work to teach at the University. In the late 90s, she began her work in behavioral health and substance misuse where she provided counseling and eventually found her passion for research. Watson said one of the reasons she loves her field is its ability to counter social issues with advocacy and analysis. Watson like many…
