Gemstone Team Research

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    Trash: a local solution to a global problem
    (2012) Albrecht, Jessica; Broser, Blair; George, Brendan; Hii, Caleb; Nguyen, Vy; Patel, Rachana; Waseem, Najeff; Chen, Alex
    Waste management is a major concern for our world today. Landfills are unsustainable and have serious environmental, social, and economic consequences. To address the issue of waste, cities must design and implement sustainable waste management practices. Our research focuses on the city of Hyattsville, Maryland and the pilot program implemented in January 2010. We used a mixed methods approach to assess the effectiveness of Hyattsville's pilot program in reducing waste, promoting recycling, and changing residents' attitudes towards waste management. We also explored whether trash output is related to income level. Based on data collected on waste and recycling, we found that the pilot program was effective in reducing waste but had no effect on recycling and trash output does not seem to be correlated with income level. Based on an analysis of data from surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we conclude that residents are generally satisfied with the pilot program, but the program can be improved. We provide recommendations for the city of Hyattsville to increase the efficacy of the pilot program.
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    Crime in College Park: understanding crime levels, perceptions, and environmental design in an off-campus student-occupied neighborhood
    (2011) Alvarado, Camila; Burton, Cal; Chen, Vivey; Cutler, Jessica; Debenedetti, Luciana; Derkacheva, Aleksandra; Lopez, Valentina; von Numers, Stephanie; Wellford, Charles
    Despite recently decreasing crime rates in College Park, fear of crime remains high. Additionally, while the crime rate on the University of Maryland campus is relatively low compared to the national average, crime in off-campus areas continues to be a problem. Crime mapping using spatial analysis techniques allowed the researchers to identify Old Town College Park as a student-occupied, off-campus residential area with a relatively high rate of larcenies, burglaries, and robberies. Through a longitudinal case study, quantitative and qualitative data about crime and students' perceptions of crime in the target were collected. These data were used to identify trends in how the rate of crime and perception changed in response to the implementation of CCTV cameras in Old Town. These data were also used to identify the correlation between crime level and the existing environmental design of the neighborhood's housing properties.
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    The effect of correctional facility programming on nonviolent beliefs
    (2011) Bakhru, Rima; Dobson, Sarah; Ginsburg, Jarren; Jin, Henry; Matuszak, Kevin; Mlawer, Emmy; Nehl, Max; Pancholi, Neha; Rodgers, Zach; Schulte, Jane; Shim, Monica; Weiner, Elizabeth; Wu, Rita; Gaston, Arnett
    To date, little research has made an effort to pinpoint measurable changes in beliefs resulting from correctional facility programming. Peace in Prisons studied the effects of the programs at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility on the inmates' beliefs regarding violence. It was hypothesized that inmates participating in programs would undergo a greater reduction in violent beliefs over time than those not in programs. The team administered the Nonviolence Test to inmates three times over a 3-month period. The primary purpose was to observe differences between those in programs and those not in programs. The team also sought to analyze the effects of other factors, including type of program, age, education, and race. The results demonstrate changes in violent beliefs due to a variety of factors, including involvement in certain types of programs, age, and the jail setting itself. What is more, these findings suggest numerous avenues for further research.