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 54
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DescriptionThis project is designed to generate enthusiasm for science among refugee students in hopes of inspiring them to continue learning science as well as to help them with their current understanding of their school science subject matter.
ContributorsSipes, Shannon Paige (Author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Gregg, George (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Division of Teacher Preparation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
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Description
In this article we present a low-cost force-sensing quadrupedal laminate robot platform. The robot has two degrees of freedom on each of four independent legs, allowing for a variety of motion trajectories to be created at each leg, thus creating a rich control space to explore on a relatively low-cost

In this article we present a low-cost force-sensing quadrupedal laminate robot platform. The robot has two degrees of freedom on each of four independent legs, allowing for a variety of motion trajectories to be created at each leg, thus creating a rich control space to explore on a relatively low-cost robot. This platform allows a user to research complex motion and gait analysis control questions, and use different concepts in computer science and control theory methods to permit it to walk. The motion trajectory of each leg has been modeled in Python. Critical design considerations are: the complexity of the laminate design, the rigidity of the materials of which the laminate is constructed, the accuracy of the transmission to control each leg, and the design of the force sensing legs.
ContributorsShuch, Benjamin David (Author) / Aukes, Daniel (Thesis director) / Sodemann, Angela (Committee member) / Engineering Programs (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
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Description
Undergraduate on-campus residential education is a topic of significant inquiry within the field of higher education, and specifically student affairs. It has become commonplace for institutions of higher education in the United States to leverage the intersections between academics and residence life in order to promote student success by offering

Undergraduate on-campus residential education is a topic of significant inquiry within the field of higher education, and specifically student affairs. It has become commonplace for institutions of higher education in the United States to leverage the intersections between academics and residence life in order to promote student success by offering on-campus housing options that strategically place students in residential communities that provide additional connection to the students' academic experience, often by major, college, department, or other focus areas. Such models vary by institution, but are often referred to as living-learning communities or residential colleges, depending upon their structure and goals. For example, Barrett, the Honors College on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University implements a residential college model within its student housing; honors students live and study together, with the addition of three "special communities" designed for students majoring in Engineering, Business, or the Arts. This honors thesis case study describes and investigates the impact the visual and performing arts Barrett residential community has upon its residents in their first-year college experience. Through the lens of student development theory, this research focuses upon examining this specific residential community in detail in order to gain an understanding of its effect upon residents' academic and personal well being.
ContributorsBieschke, Sara Danielle (Author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Rendell, Dawn (Committee member) / School of Art (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
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Description
This project is investigating the impact curvature, buckling, and anisotropy play when used passively to enhance jumping capability. In this paper we employ a curved structure to allow a rigid link to collapse preferentially in one direction when it encounters aerodynamic drag forces. A joint of this nature could be

This project is investigating the impact curvature, buckling, and anisotropy play when used passively to enhance jumping capability. In this paper we employ a curved structure to allow a rigid link to collapse preferentially in one direction when it encounters aerodynamic drag forces. A joint of this nature could be used for passively actuated jump gliding, where wings would collapse immediately on takeoff and passively redeploy during descent, allowing the jumping robot to extend its horizontal range via gliding. A passively actuated joint is simpler and more lightweight than active solutions, allowing for a lighter glider and higher jumps. To test this, several prototype collapsing gliding wings of different diameters were tested by dropping them from a consistent height above the ground and by launching them upwards and recording their initial velocity. A model was constructed in Python using the data gathered through the experiments and was tuned so that its outputs were as close as possible to the experimental results. As expected, increasing the wing diameter increased the total fall time, and increasing the payload mass decreased the total fall time. Orientation of the wings around the vertical axis of the glider relative to the direction of horizontal motion was also found to have an effect on the length of time between when the gliding platform was launched and when it made contact with the ground, with a configuration where the axis between the wings was parallel to the direction of motion granting added stability.
ContributorsLighthouse, Guston Heqian (Author) / Aukes, Daniel (Thesis director) / Sodemann, Angela (Committee member) / Engineering Programs (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
"The Secondary Integration of Somalis in Phoenix" is a multifaceted thesis research project consisting of a full literature review, an economic report, a reflection, and a 30-minute TV Documentary entitled Speak. Speak can be view for free at: https://vimeo.com/148383163 The literature review is divided into three main categories: current literature

"The Secondary Integration of Somalis in Phoenix" is a multifaceted thesis research project consisting of a full literature review, an economic report, a reflection, and a 30-minute TV Documentary entitled Speak. Speak can be view for free at: https://vimeo.com/148383163 The literature review is divided into three main categories: current literature on issues of citizenship and identity, the economic position of Somalis, and basic demographic studies of specific Somali communities. The economic report focuses on job placement and employer data, which greatly connects to Somali housing patterns. The reflection document is a "behind the scenes" look at the project manifestation, process, and meaning. The documentary, Speak, examines the lives of two Somali refugee student's experiences in the Phoenix public school system. Overall, the literature, workplace integration, housing, and education of Somali refugees in Phoenix are examined in this thesis. The majority of the available information focuses on primary integration, not secondary integration. The economic literature currently available only brushes the surface of secondary integration. So, the goal of this thesis is to survey the field of opportunities, but more importantly, start the secondary integration research process. It is argued throughout the thesis that scholars, researchers, and communities would be positively affected if more research focused on the secondary integration of Somali immigrants and/or refugees. Studies of secondary integration have the potential to increase awareness, both informational and cultural, within the Somali community, and to the larger communities they are entering.
ContributorsNetsch, Bailey Layne (Author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Kocherga, Angela (Committee member) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
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Description

In a COVID-19 world, student engagement has suffered drastically as organizations and universities shifted to an online format. Yet, there is still an opportunity and a space for digital content creation to bridge the gap in a virtual and hybrid university lifestyle. This project looks at how student groups can

In a COVID-19 world, student engagement has suffered drastically as organizations and universities shifted to an online format. Yet, there is still an opportunity and a space for digital content creation to bridge the gap in a virtual and hybrid university lifestyle. This project looks at how student groups can still engage students at ASU Tempe through digital content creation and which tools to use to enter the space.

ContributorsJavangula, Rahul (Author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Shipley, Austen (Committee member) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description

The goal of this research was to analyze the impact of consumer behavior on the sustainability of the fast fashion industry, specifically in regards to the framework of the Triple Bottom Line. First, a review of relevant literature investigating the three aspects of the Triple Bottom Line (environmental, social, and

The goal of this research was to analyze the impact of consumer behavior on the sustainability of the fast fashion industry, specifically in regards to the framework of the Triple Bottom Line. First, a review of relevant literature investigating the three aspects of the Triple Bottom Line (environmental, social, and economic) as it pertains to the fast fashion industry was conducted to provide context for this research. Research methods utilized scholarly articles and journals along with companies’ CSR reports to determine the course of development of the fast fashion industry over time. Additionally, the impact of consumer behavior was investigated and linked to trends observed in the production and business practices of the industry over time. Based on the analysis of the influence of past consumer behavior on the industry, it was clear consumers play a major role in the industry and its sustainability in terms of the Triple Bottom Line. This suggests that the unsustainability of the fast fashion industry is due in part to consumer behavior and the retailers themselves, which is important to understand for the industry going forward as it aims to improve overall sustainability.

ContributorsBeltran, Gabriella Maria (Co-author) / Stoller, MacKenzie (Co-author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Sewell, Dennita (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description

The goal of this research was to analyze the impact of consumer behavior on the sustainability of the fast fashion industry, specifically in regards to the framework of the Triple Bottom Line. First, a review of relevant literature investigating the three aspects of the Triple Bottom Line (environmental, social, and

The goal of this research was to analyze the impact of consumer behavior on the sustainability of the fast fashion industry, specifically in regards to the framework of the Triple Bottom Line. First, a review of relevant literature investigating the three aspects of the Triple Bottom Line (environmental, social, and economic) as it pertains to the fast fashion industry was conducted to provide context for this research. Research methods utilized scholarly articles and journals along with companies’ CSR reports to determine the course of development of the fast fashion industry over time. Additionally, the impact of consumer behavior was investigated and linked to trends observed in the production and business practices of the industry over time. Based on the analysis of the influence of past consumer behavior on the industry, it was clear consumers play a major role in the industry and its sustainability in terms of the Triple Bottom Line. This suggests that the unsustainability of the fast fashion industry is due in part to consumer behavior and the retailers themselves, which is important to understand for the industry going forward as it aims to improve overall sustainability.

ContributorsStoller, MacKenzie (Co-author) / Beltran, Gabriella (Co-author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Sewell, Dennita (Committee member) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
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Description

The rising national maternal mortality rate has brought international attention to the United State's maternal healthcare crisis. This literature review consolidates and compares academic research on the best practices for lowering maternal mortality rates and reducing racial disparities in healthcare.

ContributorsDavey, Skylar Lauren (Author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Lynch, Jacquie (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
The goal of this project was to create a nutritional guide for foods commonly found in the Pacific Islands. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases continue to be one of the leading causes of death in the world, but the rates are particularly high in the

The goal of this project was to create a nutritional guide for foods commonly found in the Pacific Islands. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases continue to be one of the leading causes of death in the world, but the rates are particularly high in the Pacific. One of the reasons for this is the increase in consumption of processed foods along with a lack of physical activity. This project created a specific nutritional guide on Pacific-relevant foods to be used as an educational tool for Pacific Islanders who wish to change their dietary habits. Changing dietary habits is a great first step in decreasing the risk of developing an NCD, which in turn can help increase life longevity in the Pacific. The nutritional guide consists of recommendations for salt, sugar, and fat intake from well-established organizations like the American Heart Association, and World Health Organization. Specific nutritional information like protein, fiber, sodium, and total fat is provided in table format in the guide for common foods found in the Pacific. The guide also provides additional resources such as websites and handbooks that were vital in the creation of this guide and can be useful if the consumer is looking for further resources.
ContributorsSikalu, Amelia (Author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / McMullen, Mary (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2023-05