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- All Subjects: STEAM
- Creators: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program
- Creators: Edmonds, Hallie Margaret
- Member of: Theses and Dissertations
- Status: Published
This study tested hypotheses using two diet categorizations: total consumption percent and food material properties (FMPs). The first hypothesis that cortical bone area (CA) and section moduli (bone strength) are positively correlated with masticatory loading tests whether CA and moduli measures were greatest anteriorly and decreased posteriorly along the arch. The results found these measures adhered to this predicted pattern in the majority of taxa. The second hypothesis examines sutural complexity in the zygomaticotemporal suture as a function of dietary loading differences by calculating fractal dimensions as indices of complexity. No predictable pattern was found linking sutural complexity and diet in this primate sample, though hard object consumers possessed the most complex sutures. Lastly, cross-sectional geometric properties were measured to investigate whether bending and torsional resistance and cross-sectional shape are related to differences in masticatory loading. The highest measures of mechanical resistance tracked with areas of greatest strain in the majority of taxa. Cross-sectional shape differences do appear to reflect dietary differences. FMPs were not correlated with cross-sectional variables, however pairwise comparisons suggest taxa that ingest foods of greater stiffness experience relatively larger measures of bending and torsional resistance. The current study reveals that internal and external morphological factors vary across the arch and in conjunction with diet in primates. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating these mechanical differences in models of zygomatic arch mechanical behavior and primate craniofacial biomechanics.
The goal of themed entertainment is to use activities and environments to tell a story and immerse the guest in a novel experience. By applying these concepts to nonfiction and educational topics, the concept of edutainment is created. In recent years museums have begun utilizing the concept of edutainment and techniques typically found in themed entertainment experiences to capture the attention and focus of guests and create experiences that connect emotionally with them. My goal in this thesis pathway project was to investigate this trend and technique of connecting with an audience and apply it to the STEAMtank project within ASU’s Innovation Space. The goal of STEAMtank is to design and fabricate children’s STEAM museum exhibits in two semesters with focus on accessible design. My team conducted research and interviews exploring current market trends in theme parks and museums, best practice designs and operations, and interests of children to develop the concept for our exhibit, Gust of Dust, which was then fine-tuned, constructed, and installed in the STEAMtank Exhibit Space. Gust of Dust is an exciting exhibit demonstrating the power of a haboob that was developed from preconcept to installation in under a year by two determined and talented interdisciplinary teams. Learning about haboobs connect concepts of environmentalism, earth science, and safety to real concepts in children’s lives.