Effects of Physical Activity Movement Breaks on Childhood Students

Adriana D’Esposito, Class of 2026, completed major in Early Childhood Education

For my research, I focused on the effects of physical activity movement breaks on children in classroom settings. I was particularly interested in how short periods of movement throughout the school day can impact students’ learning, behavior, and overall well-being. This topic became especially meaningful to me during my classroom observations over the past semesters, where I noticed the positive impact these movement breaks had on students. I also observed that in many classrooms today, students spend long periods sitting and concentrating on academic tasks, which can make it challenging for them to stay engaged and attentive. This is concerning, as physical activity plays an important role in supporting children’s brain development, focus, and emotional health.

At the beginning of this capstone, I expected the process to mainly involve summarizing a few articles and explaining their main ideas. However, the experience I had was much more complex than I anticipated it to be. I had to carefully analyze multiple studies, compare their findings, and identify patterns across different types of research. It required me to think critically about how different pieces of evidence connect and support a larger argument. This made the project more challenging, but also more meaningful.

One of the biggest challenges I faced during this project was organizing the large amount of information I gathered from different sources and bringing it all together into a clear and cohesive paper. There was a wide range of research on movement breaks, and each study focused on slightly different aspects, such as attention, brain development, or academic performance. It was sometimes difficult to decide which information was most important to include and how to group similar ideas across multiple sources. I also had to work on synthesizing the research rather than just summarizing each article individually, which meant finding connections, patterns, and common themes. Combining all this information in a way that flowed logically and supported my main argument required a lot of revision and careful planning, but it ultimately helped strengthen my understanding and knowledge of the topic.

I was surprised by the variety of research methods used to study movement breaks and how each type contributed to a stronger overall understanding of the topic. I came across meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and individual experimental studies, each offering a different perspective. Before this project, I did not fully understand the difference between these types of research or how they build on one another. For example, meta-analyses and systematic reviews combined results from multiple studies, which made the findings more reliable and convincing. At the same time, individual studies provided more detailed insight into how movement breaks were implemented in real classrooms.

Seeing how these different forms of research all pointed to similar conclusions made the evidence credible and well-supported. It helped me understand that strong research is not based on just one study, but on a collection of evidence that works together. This experience deepened my appreciation for how research is conducted and how different types of studies can be used to support educational practices.

If I were to expand on this research, I would want to explore the long-term effects of movement breaks over an entire school year. I would also be interested in focusing more on how these breaks impact students with different learning needs, such as those with ADHD or other attention-related challenges.

Overall, the research I found shows that classroom-based physical activity breaks are an effective and practical way to support children’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. I learned how research can directly inform teaching practices and improve classroom environments. Most importantly, I am taking away the idea that small, simple changes, like adding movement into the school day, can have a powerful impact on student learning, engagement, and overall well-being.

The Impact of Nonpharmacological Pain Relief Strategies on Labor Pain Perception, Maternal Satisfaction, and Psychological Outcomes

Tiffany Zhu, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in Nursing

When I first began my capstone project, I knew I was interested in researching maternal health. During my clinical experiences on labor and delivery, I witnessed a laboring client undergo an epidural procedure. The physical discomfort of the procedure and the anxiety she experienced made me wonder if there are alternative ways of alleviating pain for patients undergoing labor. This led me to explore nonpharmacological pain relief strategies and their impact on pain perception, maternal satisfaction, and psychological outcomes during vaginal birth.

Through this project I learned that nonpharmacological methods, such as labor support, hydrotherapy, breathing techniques, music, massage, acupressure, use of birthing balls, and TENS (electric impulses on the lower back), can reduce anxiety and stress, increase feelings of empowerment, and significantly improve overall birth satisfaction. Nonpharmacological pain management offers much more than simply reducing pain intensity while also shaping the emotional experience of childbirth.

One of the most difficult parts of this project was simply getting started, but once I began putting my thoughts on paper, the ideas started to flow more naturally. Organizing the discussion section was also particularly challenging because some studies reported mixed outcomes regarding pain intensity and I had to analyze why those differences existed, such as study design, sample population, and individual variation in pain perception. Despite the challenges, this project strengthened my understanding of evidence-based practice and its direct impact on patient care. I also became more aware of the systemic barriers that may limit the use of nonpharmacological methods, such as staffing shortages, limited resources, and institutional routines that prioritize medical interventions.

 If I were to expand this research further, I would explore the cultural dimensions of pain perception as this project did not deeply examine specific ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds, although pain tolerance may differ among them. Examining these factors could provide a more holistic understanding of pain management. I also hope this project will raise awareness of the overmedicalization of childbirth and encourage institutions to expand access to comprehensive antepartum childbirth, consider integrating birthing centers within hospital settings, and address healthcare providers' implicit biases toward nonpharmacological pain methods.

Ethics, Fraud, and Financial Reporting: Analyzing Tax Behavior and Scandals

Bryan Li Verrazzano class of 2026, completed majors in Business Management and Accounting, and minor in Finance

Accounting. Audits. Taxation/taxes. Individual income tax rates. Income taxation. Ethics. Ethics in business/financial reporting. Fraud. Financial reporting. Scandals. Tax code. I decided to combine all my accounting interests and the elements mentioned into a full-on capstone research project. The capstone is the most extensive, serious, and longest task I have done in all my academic years, with the research and writing spanning five months. The research area I chose aligns with my interests in accounting, meaning everything to me in my career, as I pursue Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure.

CPAs can specialize in different areas. I’d specialize in tax accounting and audits. I worked with Banu Aslanertik, my professor for ACC332 (Accounting Information Systems). Professor Aslanertik provided critical, extensive intel on accounting and financial reporting, including the rules/standards governing financial reporting, and assisted with investigations into the critical elements of accounting in greater detail, leveraging my tax expertise.

Accountants today utilize a range of technologies, information systems, and modern equipment to streamline their work, completing tasks more efficiently, accurately, and quickly. While completing the capstone and conducting research, I also drew on my job at an accounting firm, providing accounting services and preparing tax returns, fulfilling the work experience requirement set by NYS for new CPA licensure-seeking candidates, in addition to the college credits.

Starting the capstone process very early was the best decision. The timing was critical, allowing me enough time to begin the capstone process without rushing, which in turn reduced stress and pressure. I began the capstone at the end of my junior year, conducting the necessary research and investigations during the summer preceding my senior year. I knew my priorities and what was ahead of me, working through the peak of tax season at an accounting firm.

My capstone brings together federal and state individual income taxes, focusing on federal income taxation, tax rates, the triggers of an IRS audit on individual returns, financial audits, standards, rules, the tax code, changes over the years to tax law, fraud, case studies of some of the major accounting scandals in American History, ethics/ethical standards in accounting, taxation, and financial reporting.

Even though the odds of a tax return being audited by the IRS are very low, the most common causes of an IRS audit are unreported or misreported income and large/suspicious deductions. One of the accounting courses I completed, ACC325 (Federal Income Taxation I), covered the major elements of a federal individual tax return, also known as the 1040, and what is required & not required to be reported on a 1040. I am trained to prepare the 1040 and federal business tax returns professionally, specifically the 1065 (Partnership Tax Return), 1120-S (S-Corporation Tax Return), and 1120-C (C-Corporation Tax Return), as well as the appropriate state and city/local returns.

Over the years, numerous changes have been made to the tax code. The year 2025 brought major federal tax law changes and major relief to many Americans, with major changes, some that never happened before, like no federal income tax on income derived from overtime and tips, and an increase to the state and local tax deduction (SALT) limit, benefiting individuals who have a high state/local tax burden with the passing of One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) in July 2025.

The research process is ongoing due to new developments, as legislators continually revise the tax code. US presidents propose a new tax bill and spending package annually, but they must obtain approval from the legislative body. Every year, the IRS announces adjustments to the standard deduction to keep pace with ongoing inflation, a significant issue, as the cost of our daily necessities increases.

Just War Theory: A Comprehensive Case Study of the American Revolution

Safar-Ali Sheralizoda, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in Political Science and minor in Business Marketing

While studying political science, the topic of war always stood out to me, and I was intrigued by war theory. The topic handled a complex moral and political issue. I wondered if it was truly possible that war could be justified.

After studying the topic during my capstone course, I decided to delve deeper. Just war theory gave me a different understanding of conflicts and wars. Initially, the topic seemed simple, but after studying it deeper, I began to realize that it is much more complex.

Just war theory encompasses political science, philosophy, law, history, theology, and, of course, strategy. From a philosophical point of view, I decided to delve into Jus ad bellum. This included a deeper analysis of each criterion with a more sophisticated understanding of the philosophical debates. Legitimate authority: extensive treatment of the sovereignty question (perhaps the most challenging aspect). Last resort: more thorough examination of diplomatic efforts and their failures. With this information in mind, I expanded on the American Revolution and dissected just ad belum from its original sources - the three philosophers (Aqunius, Suarez, and Vitoria).

I dedicate this capstone project to my late father, Sherali Niyazov (1967–2017). Though he is no longer physically present, his presence remains with me on every step of my journey. His lion-like courage, integrity, and strength shaped the person I hope to be after graduating. My father’s voice guides me in moments of doubt and sustains me through all my struggles. I also honor my mother, whose resilience, sacrifice, and strength carried our family through loss and hardship. Alongside her, my brother Shervon’s constant support and belief in me grounded me during the most challenging moments of my studies. Honoring my family has been my lifelong purpose, and every achievement I reach reflects the legacy they have given me.

 

Determining the Feasibility and Environmental Benefits of Implementing PV Systems to the CSI Campus

Emilia Turek, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in Environmental Science

My capstone project analyzed the benefits of implementing solar energy canopies to the CSI campus. I wanted to learn more about renewable energy and how CSI could benefit if it was implemented on campus.

To do this research, I digitized the parking lots of CSI on ArcGIS Pro to get the area of each row of the parking lots and getting the area of each lot. I then calculated the number of panels that could fit on each parking lot row, the cost of implementation, and the energy that could be generated annually.

From this project, I learned that implementing solar energy is a complex and costly process. Although it is beneficial and the costs will be recouped over time, it is important to research the most efficient ways this can be done to best help the environment while also limiting costs. As part of this project, different programs that could aid CSI with this were considered that would help limit costs. I learned that there are different programs that are specific to helping higher education institutions with decreasing their carbon footprint.

 This project can be developed further by considering different sources of renewable energy that can be implemented on the campus, such as wind energy. In addition, other solar energy companies can be researched, or other assumptions can be made to ensure the most efficient method is used. I found a standard size for solar panels and costs per panel to create calculations on the costs of this, the number of panels that could fit in each row, and the amount of energy that could be produced. These calculations were then used to find the recoup time when CSI would eventually get their return on investment. However, other data can be found and utilized to determine the recoup time.

Future work could also find how much funding this project could receive and use this in calculating the recoup time. I have also learned how to digitize on ArcGIS Pro with maximum accuracy. I precisely mapped out each row to the parking lots by hand using a computer mouse to get as accurate data as possible. It is important for this to be done carefully with as little human error as possible. It was challenging to map out the parking lots as accurately as possible. However, it was easy to do the calculations to find the amount of energy that could be produced.

Overall, from this capstone project, I learned about the many ways CSI would benefit from solar energy on campus. I researched initiatives that other institutions are doing to decrease their carbon footprint, and learned more skills when using ArcGIS Pro.