Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University proudly showcases the work of undergraduate honors students by sharing this collection exclusively with the ASU community.
Barrett accepts high performing, academically engaged undergraduate students and works with them in collaboration with all of the other academic units at Arizona State University. All Barrett students complete a thesis or creative project which is an opportunity to explore an intellectual interest and produce an original piece of scholarly research. The thesis or creative project is supervised and defended in front of a faculty committee. Students are able to engage with professors who are nationally recognized in their fields and committed to working with honors students. Completing a Barrett thesis or creative project is an opportunity for undergraduate honors students to contribute to the ASU academic community in a meaningful way.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 12
Description
The Founders Lab Thesis tasked each team with taking an idea and trying to form a business out of it. In the process, the thesis director would be there to guide each team and provide expertise where needed. The venture that was assigned originally to our team was a posture correcting device, however after numerous attempts to correspond reliably with the developers of this technology, it was decided that the team should move on to a new idea. Therefore, our team took on a venture named Altion Security: an initiative with the main goal being the safekeeping of customers interests. The product that we were tasked with is a bike alarm that simply rings out when it detects someone tampering with it. This product is a solution to the problem of bike thefts. 2 million bikes are stolen each year in North America, which translates roughly to a theft every 30 seconds (Project 529).
There are quite a few readily available products that one can buy if one looks past some of their flaws. A lot of these alarms either require a user to carry an extra communication device, or they are too big or expensive. The proposed solution merges all desirable features of a bike alarm into one module. In light of this, surveys were conducted to ascertain what these qualities would need to be. The top considerations for purchasing this alarm were how costly it would be, the false detection rate, and also the battery life. Additionally, the features that were most requested was the inclusion of a GPS and a camera. In order to incorporate these features, a three year plan was formulated which would culminate into a bike network in which each bike could communicate with other bikes. This would allow for an IOT network to be established, thus far exceeding expectations. The price point for this alarm is USD $10.00-15.00 and can come in a variety of colors. Additionally, this concept can be applied to many different scenarios, from protecting boats/jet skis and other aquatic vehicles, to houses as well. Furthermore, one could miniaturize this technology to be used in jewelry or accessories.
There are quite a few readily available products that one can buy if one looks past some of their flaws. A lot of these alarms either require a user to carry an extra communication device, or they are too big or expensive. The proposed solution merges all desirable features of a bike alarm into one module. In light of this, surveys were conducted to ascertain what these qualities would need to be. The top considerations for purchasing this alarm were how costly it would be, the false detection rate, and also the battery life. Additionally, the features that were most requested was the inclusion of a GPS and a camera. In order to incorporate these features, a three year plan was formulated which would culminate into a bike network in which each bike could communicate with other bikes. This would allow for an IOT network to be established, thus far exceeding expectations. The price point for this alarm is USD $10.00-15.00 and can come in a variety of colors. Additionally, this concept can be applied to many different scenarios, from protecting boats/jet skis and other aquatic vehicles, to houses as well. Furthermore, one could miniaturize this technology to be used in jewelry or accessories.
ContributorsOgunmefun, Adeoluwa (Co-author) / Gong, Alan (Co-author) / Parra, Rocio Ivette (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Attending a university is a stressful transition for many students leaving their respective support systems. Many universities attempt to mitigate this stress by offering numerous campus resources such as, tutoring services, counseling services, and health services. However, research has shown that many of these resources are under utilized by the general student population because of barriers that include student perception, awareness, and access. Being able to understand these barriers that lead to the under utilization of campus resources can assist with creating resources that are more visible, engaging, and attractive to student populations on many campuses. The question being asked is: how to create an engaging health resource that is attractive, visible, and accessible to students?
Based on research analyzed on the barriers between students and campus resources, the optimization of student outreach, and marketing strategies directed towards students, the creation of a student-led campus health resource followed. Analysis of this research showcased that the medium in which students resources were promoted, and the framework of the resource have an impact on students' awareness of the resource, attractiveness of the student resource, and student resource engagement. Based on these analyses and results, the creation of HealthU occurred to provide a visible, engaging, and attractive student resource to the Arizona State University student body.
Based on research analyzed on the barriers between students and campus resources, the optimization of student outreach, and marketing strategies directed towards students, the creation of a student-led campus health resource followed. Analysis of this research showcased that the medium in which students resources were promoted, and the framework of the resource have an impact on students' awareness of the resource, attractiveness of the student resource, and student resource engagement. Based on these analyses and results, the creation of HealthU occurred to provide a visible, engaging, and attractive student resource to the Arizona State University student body.
ContributorsAlcazar, Ivan (Co-author) / Mora, Leslie (Co-author) / Freeman, Javon (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This honors thesis aims to outline and present a business plan for a start-up. Working with the Founders Lab, as part of the W. P. Carey Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, three students identified an issue in their community and brainstormed an idea to form a solution. The problem identified was in the textile industry where fabric waste created as a byproduct of production, harms the environment as it ends up in landfills, instead of being recycled. In an effort to create a circular economy, the start-up, Circular Comfort, came into fruition. The mission of this business is to reduce waste by repurposing fabric scraps into products that can be marketed and sold. The first product was created, a beach bag, out of fabric scraps gathered from a fashion incubator. The following will outline the formation of the start-up including research, business plan, market strategy, and the overall journey. By working with a thesis director, the team was able to prepare this pitch deck in hopes to combat an ongoing problem in our community.
ContributorsKattan, Nadeen (Co-author) / Curran, Chris (Co-author) / Thompson, Cassandra (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The Student Impact Coalition for Knowledge, also known as SICK, is a student coalition run by three undergraduates who sought to create an outlet for students to vote on their favorite places on and around campus. They noticed that there was no easily accessible place to share their recommendations with other students. Because of this, SICK presents awards to the coffee shop, fast food restaurant, hiking spot, podcast, or brunch place that receives the most votes.
With the solution, the team was able to create a mission statement for the Student Impact Coalition for Knowledge. The SICK awards allow students to make an impact by voting on their favorite things on and off campus in order to provide recommendations for others. Through extensive market research, the team identified the target audience and how this coalition would be beneficial to the student population. Currently, SICK is limited to Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, but there are goals to expand to ASU’s other campuses before moving to other universities nationwide. Through growth and financial sustainability, the team hopes that the coalition will become a useful tool for students across many campuses to share and receive recommendations for must-visit places around their college.
With the solution, the team was able to create a mission statement for the Student Impact Coalition for Knowledge. The SICK awards allow students to make an impact by voting on their favorite things on and off campus in order to provide recommendations for others. Through extensive market research, the team identified the target audience and how this coalition would be beneficial to the student population. Currently, SICK is limited to Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, but there are goals to expand to ASU’s other campuses before moving to other universities nationwide. Through growth and financial sustainability, the team hopes that the coalition will become a useful tool for students across many campuses to share and receive recommendations for must-visit places around their college.
ContributorsMara, Danielle (Co-author) / Cotter, Kristen (Co-author) / Amer, Azza (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Throughout the two semesters of the Founder’s Lab program, we developed and practiced our entrepreneurship skills by working to solve the issue of diversity and polarization. In the first semester, our task was to help a corporate entrepreneurial venture create and execute a marketing plan to diversify their target audience. We worked with the lead professors developing the World War II Studies Master’s Program for ASU’s School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies. During our collaboration with the World War II program, we realized that their issue with finding diverse students stemmed from an institutional problem with cultural diversity and polarization.
While working with the World War II Studies program, we primarily conducted market research, which eventually led us to pivot into starting our own venture. The data from the surveys we created indicated that the target market for a World War II Master’s Program was too narrow, and only appealed to people with specific cultural backgrounds. We concluded that a simple marketing plan would not be able to solve the lack of diversity, and decided to start up our own business to combat the issue. In the spring semester we created Platter Chatter, a social venture dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural awareness through food.
We believe that Platter Chatter has future potential as a social venture due to its unique position in the market, as well as the diverse perspectives and social capital that we bring as founders of the company. Some unexpected events have disrupted our original plans for testing and launching our venture, but with future work we are sure that our company and product will be able to succeed.
While working with the World War II Studies program, we primarily conducted market research, which eventually led us to pivot into starting our own venture. The data from the surveys we created indicated that the target market for a World War II Master’s Program was too narrow, and only appealed to people with specific cultural backgrounds. We concluded that a simple marketing plan would not be able to solve the lack of diversity, and decided to start up our own business to combat the issue. In the spring semester we created Platter Chatter, a social venture dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural awareness through food.
We believe that Platter Chatter has future potential as a social venture due to its unique position in the market, as well as the diverse perspectives and social capital that we bring as founders of the company. Some unexpected events have disrupted our original plans for testing and launching our venture, but with future work we are sure that our company and product will be able to succeed.
ContributorsChotalla, Maanik (Co-author) / Joe, Jona (Co-author) / Sauma MasÃs, Melania (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
In 2017 alone, over 250,00 patients died due to medical errors and is the 3rd leading cause of death in America. These errors attributed to incorrect diagnosis and treatment of illnesses can be preventable. The solution to this major issue is the creation of an app called HealthKeep. Primary market research done during the first semester of the study included the creation of a school-wide survey across all ASU campuses that consisted of key questions for people of all ages in regards to their healthcare. These questions include how often patients of specific age ranges visit the doctor, their overall experience during appointments, and their attitudes towards the creation of a mobile health application that would be able to tabulate all your medical information neatly and securely. The overwhelming response stated that patient’s from all ranges would be open to the idea of having such an application. Further development included the creation of a business plan and application storyboard used when interviewing potential customers about the application. All of these tools aided in the first entry for Venture Devils in the first semester leading to the disappointing failure of winning funding. However, the feedback on the website created, executive summary, expanded pitch deck, and market research aided in the successful key revisions of the venture during this second semester and has resulted in placement in the final round of Pitch Playoffs where funding can be awarded.
ContributorsSiraj, Salim (Co-author) / Undrill, Grayson (Co-author) / Ott, Madison (Co-author) / Smith, Keaton (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
With the rising growth of makerspaces in the United States, many are at the leading edge of innovation but are struggling to adequately keep track of and maintain the supplies required to make those innovations come to fruition. Due to most makerspaces being publically funded by local governments, universities, or designated grant money, approval for purchase and implementation of a proper inventory management system takes time. We have created an application called Introventoria that assists these businesses to manage their materials, tools, customers, etc.
ContributorsMead, Emily (Co-author) / Dupre, Sulivan (Co-author) / Ferguson, Rene (Co-author) / Saitta, Sophia Angela (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
This work explores the viability of creating purchasing consortia among ethically sourcing coffee businesses in the greater Phoenix, AZ area. The two primary models reflected in our research are joining an active consortium or the self-governance and creation of such; both have potential to improve multiple business dimensions. In delivering the models, the objective is to cater the best options for ethically sourcing coffee businesses, specifically. The study references a sample group of local coffee businesses who drive sustainable and ethical sourcing practices at the core of their operations. Thus, we sought to concatenate our empirical research with the published research of others to derive efficient group purchasing models. As an entrepreneurial research project, this work served to deliver two viable models in a Socratic workshop format to coffee business owners who have shown prior interest in such models (Weber 2020). COVID-19 hindered the final workshop and it was not able to be completed as most small businesses we wanted to include were entirely focused on the survival of their businesses. The workshop is included for reference and would have gathered feedback from our beachhead market. However, the literature research shows how group purchasing organizations offer improvement across multiple business dimensions, especially within small, sustainable coffee businesses.
ContributorsWoods, Cole Joseph (Co-author) / Labelle, James (Co-author) / Anigwe, Krystal (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Seabold, Brent (Committee member) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
There are issues at the Arizona State University Tempe campus with the culture of food and many of these issues stem from the dining halls. To determine the extent of this problem, our group conducted research on the Tempe campus through student surveys and in person discussions. What we found were limitations in both the healthy options and hours of operations at the dining halls. Students also showed general dissatisfaction with their diets. Our solution is the Devil Crate, a subscription box that conveniently delivers healthy food along with a personal touch. The recipes, health information and tips inside the subscription box are given to motivate students to eat healthy. We also realized that this solution could potentially solve another issue facing our community, which is food waste. The sustainably sourced food allows the price of Devil Crate to be lowered while eliminating the waste of produce. Once this solution was formulated, a test trial was conducted to measure the demand for such a product among students. The Devil Crate was produced, sold, and delivered to 2 students, both of whom were pleased and willing to recommend Devil Crate to others. The end goal is to incorporate Devil Crate into the meal plans to offer more options in this limited food environment and promote healthy eating among students.
ContributorsDemangone, Michael Richard (Co-author) / Pham, Emily (Co-author) / Anderson, Andrew (Co-author) / Van Vleck, Calista (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
As ASU students, we saw that our peers had opinions regarding sustainable issues, but did not feel like their voices were being heard by the university. We saw a space we could fill to promote engagement and let students know that they could participate in finding sustainable solutions to problems they faced around campus. This created our venture which works to promote engagement through sustainable solutions. We ran a successful competition with students and local professionals by focusing on sustainability topics students were interested in. Promoting engagement can often come across as disingenuous and thus serve the opposite effect of its function. By centering around the topic of tailored sustainability related competitions, we can direct goodwill to the organizations by harnessing the positive feelings individuals have toward sustainability topics.
ContributorsDesmond, Sarah C (Co-author) / Williams, Brock (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Miller, Clark (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05