Digital Commons Network^™

Cooking Made Clear: Accessible Cookbook Design For Older Audiences, Brennan Tyra Cole

Graphic Communication

This project explores accessibility-focused print and digital design features for older audiences within the cookbook and graphic communication industries. While cookbooks are widely produced, they rarely consider the physical, visual, and ergonomic experiences of aging users. Inspired by my grandmother’s 1980s church cookbook, I researched accessible design practices and communicated my findings through an infographic and a poster, highlighting features such as minimum 12–14 point body text, warm color palettes, high-contrast layouts, clear hierarchy, increased line spacing, simplified ingredient lists, columns, and lay-flat binding. I applied these learned features to several redesigned spreads from the original cookbook. This project demonstrates …

Greekmate: Communicating Startup Value Through Design And Marketing, Cameron Do-Khanh

Graphic Communication

This project examines how design and marketing can improve communication for early-stage software by applying these principles to GreekMate, a candidate management tool built for student organizations. The software functioned well but lacked a strong brand identity and clear value communication. Using Diffusion of Innovation Theory and research on UX strategy, the project focused on redesigning the brand system and marketing website to make the product easier to understand and more appealing to its audience. The redesign included a new visual direction, updated hierarchy, clearer feature explanations, and a more energetic style that aligned with student expectations. Informal user feedback …

Power Distribution Controller For Formula Sae Vehicles, Michael Yuen

Electrical Engineering

The Power Distribution Controller (PDC) is designed for low-voltage (12V) automotive applications, specifically Formula SAE vehicles. It aims to replace the current and outdated MOSFET-based system, which suffers from inefficiencies such as lossy current sense resistors and limited configurability. Instead, this new system uses a PROFET-based architecture controlled over the Controller Area Network (CAN) and an updated microcontroller, enabling intelligent power management and data logging.

Designed with FSAE regulations in mind, the PDC not only enhances the reliability of low-voltage systems but also provides a quickly adaptable solution to fuse boxes. It achieves this by providing firmware-adjustable overcurrent protection, incorporating …

The Finite Fourier Transform: Realizing The Irreducible Complex Representations Of The Special Linear Group Over A Finite Field, Kelly Jane Lyle

Master's Theses

Classically, one of the central methods of understanding an abstract group has been through its representations in other structures, such as permutations of sets or linear transformations of vector spaces. As a detailed illustration of this method, we will focus on the matrix group SL(2,q), which consists of all invertible 2x2 matrices with entries in a finite field with q elements. We will outline the explicit construction of every (irreducible) complex representation of this group. Along the way we will also touch on foundational concepts in representation theory, such as characters and induced representations.

Cal Poly Semester Conversion Time Capsule, Maximus La Via, Matthieu Gol, Viki Sarmasi, Tuyetthuc Nguyen

Mechanical Engineering

As Cal Poly transitions from the quarter system to the semester system, aligning itself with the other California universities, the idea has been proposed to commemorate this moment in the history of the university with a time capsule. The time capsule will be on display on the first floor of the library for a few years and later moved into the library’s archive room for permanent storage. 50 years after the completion of the semester conversion project, the time capsule will be opened. This project aims to create a secure and aesthetic device capable of storing and protecting memorabilia from …

Exploratory Diver Geotechnical Equipment (Edge), Angel Villicana, Merrick Zellers, Erik Heuchert, Lucas Heuchert

Mechanical Engineering

The goal of this report is to showcase how our final Core Sampler design and prototype address the needs of Navy Divers. Geotechnical equipment for Navy divers has not been updated since the early to mid-1980s, resulting in imprecise and outdated sampling methods. The primary purpose of this project is to enhance, modernize, and redesign a tool to collect a minimally disturbed core sample of the seabed for geotechnical evaluation. This report presents the full development of our project from concept to verification and final outcomes. It begins with the statement of disclaimer, followed by a four-panel executive summary and …

Deterministic Methods To Improve The Field-Of-View For Direction Finding Using Sparse Digital Arrays, Nolan J. Egging

Master's Theses

Direction finding algorithms are used with digital phased arrays to determine the incoming angle of arrival (AoA) of an incident signal. These algorithms, and direction finding as a whole, have a wide range of civilian and military applications from radar, electronic reconnaissance, mobile communication, et cetera. However, for situations where the spacing between antenna elements needs to be large, gating lobes appear in the radiation pattern of analog arrays. This work demonstrates that for digital beamforming algorithms, the field of view (FoV) of a uniform linear digital array matches the grating lobe free range of a similarly spaced analog array. …

Development And Test Of An Automatic Mass Balancing System For Cal Poly's Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics Simulator, Cameron B. Zorio

Master's Theses

The Cal Poly Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics Simulator (SADS) is an ongoing project to develop an air-bearing platform capable of recreating on-orbit rotational dynamics with near frictionless and torque-free rotations. However, any offset between the platform's center of rotation and its center of mass will introduce a torque due to gravity.

This thesis presents the design, implementation, and experimental evaluation of a low-cost, automatic mass balancing system for the SADS to address this challenge. A new modular sliding mass system was developed that overcomes issues faced in previous iterations of the SADS, providing real-time positional control of the masses and a …

Marsanywhere: Dataset And Cross-View Diffusion Model For Satellite-To-Ground View Synthesis With Mars Data, Benjamin T. Hinchliff

Master's Theses

Satellite-to-ground view synthesis aims to create a realistic ground view image from a corresponding satellite view image. This is a well-studied problem for street level imagery, with good results being achieved by using modern image synthesis techniques such as diffusion models. However, despite the public availability of satellite and ground level imagery on Mars, these techniques have yet to be applied to the domain due to difficulties in collating and processing the data into a usable form. We address this deficiency by creating a dataset consisting of ground view panorama imagery from the Perseverance rover, along with associated satellite view …

Signature-Based Attribution Of Images Generated By Stable Diffusion, Bella White

Master's Theses

Generative AI is powerful yet controversial technology capable of spreading misinformation, non-consensual imagery, and offensive materials when not properly safeguarded against such abuse. Synthetic image alteration and generation have always been abused, from photo editing software to Generative Adversarial Nets, and now Diffusion Models. The Internet Watch Foundation and the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children have reported a consistent increase in reported AI generated child sexual assault materials (CSAM) and sextortion scams since the introduction of DMs. New digital forensics tools must evolve to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of AIG CSAM abuse. This work provides a comprehensive …

Why The Long Face? The Distribution And Niche Of The Imperiled Narrow-Faced Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys Venustus), Garrett L. Gimbel

Master's Theses

Distribution models provide a practical use case of connecting ecological niche theory with species’ occurrence and assemblages. By explicitly linking Hutchinson’s “niche space” with geographic space researchers can gain valuable information on a species’ niche characteristics and interactions, thereby informing conservation and management practices. The narrow-faced kangaroo rat (Dipodomys venustus) is a highly understudied kangaroo rat species endemic to the central coast of California and is an ideal species to explore niche theory in distribution modeling. Three subspecies are currently recognized: The Santa Cruz kangaroo rat (D. v. venustus), the elephant-eared kangaroo rat (D. v. …

Using Hydraulic And Hydrologic Modeling To Determine Scour At Toro Creek Under Climate Change Conditions, Gabriel E. Alaniz

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates bridge scour at the Toro Creek crossing of Highway 1 in Morro Bay, California, under present conditions and future climate conditions with more frequent extreme rainfall events. California infrastructure is becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme storm events and increased intense precipitation events brought by climate change. This analysis focuses on the calculation of scour for both the northbound and southbound spans. Highway 1 plays a vital role in California’s coastal transportation infrastructure by carrying more than 20,000 vehicles daily (Caltrans, 2017). In this thesis, a hydrological model (HEC-HMS) is used to simulate runoff under present-day and …

The Edge Of The World: An Examination Of The Wild West In California, 1840-1880, Chloe J. Cushing

Master's Theses

“The Edge of the World” revolves around the history of the Wild West in California through the lens of Richard Maxwell Brown’s Western War of Incorporation theory. Rather than being a mythology sensationalized by Hollywood and literature, for the Golden State, the Wild West was a very real and tangible part of its early-American era, characterized by U.S. imperialism, high murder rates, anti-authoritarianism, and other rampant forms of chaos that affected the state for generations. By examining the conditions and effects of the late Mexican period, the Gold Rush, Confederate sympathizers, and the Southern Pacific Railroad, this thesis highlights the …

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report - Johansen High School, Damaris N. Perdue

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) are a foundational component of agricultural education, yet inconsistent implementation and assessment practices can limit their instructional impact. This project presents the development and implementation of a standardized SAE project framework designed to support equitable, work-based learning experiences across a secondary agricultural education department. The framework includes a unified student guide, analytic grading rubric, reflective components, and aligned assessment tools that emphasize accurate recordkeeping, skill development, and professional communication. By establishing consistent expectations for annual SAE completion across all agricultural courses, this project promotes student accountability, clarity, and fairness while strengthening alignment with the National FFA …

Aged 539 Graduate Internship Report- Liberty High School, Brittany N. Johnson

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This document documents the AGED 539 Internship in Agricultural Education and examines the Liberty High School–Brentwood FFA and Agriculture Department’s alignment with the three-component model of agricultural education: classroom instruction, FFA leadership development, and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Grounded in experiential learning theory, the report reflects on program strengths, challenges, and growth across all twelve California Career Technical Education (CTE) Quality Criteria, supported by narrative reflection and evidence. The internship project focused on developing a formal FFA Program of Activities (POA) to improve chapter organization, goal-setting, and long-term sustainability. Overall, the project highlights intentional program planning and leadership development as …

Beyond The Csu Ai Initiative Rollout: Exploring The Continued Uses, Gratifications, And Literacy Of Generative Artificial Intelligence Integration At Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Marshall Piros, Kaylie Marrs

Communication Studies

This case study examines the use of ChatGPT on the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (hereafter referred to as Cal Poly or Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) campus as part of the system-wide CSU AI Initiative. This is a follow-up study to previous work in which the researchers examined AI usage and gratifications during the early rollout of the CSU AI Initiative during Spring 2025. Using a qualitative approach, we used semi-structured interviews (N = 24) to gather in-depth perspectives on AI usage, gratifications, concerns, and definitions of AI literacy from students and faculty. Findings indicate that while …

Mozgus, Damian Cerda, Madison Lopez

Computer Science and Software Engineering

The indie game market is flooded with genre experiments, yet few successfully combine fast-paced action with meaningful strategic decision-making. Our project aims to fill this gap by creating a game that fuses top-down action combat with resource-management tycoon mechanics. We found that in many games, the management phases lack mechanical stakes. Our goal was to intertwine these systems so that choices made in one phase meaningfully impact the other.

Psychological Effects Of Health Disparities: A Multi-Identity Understanding, Shayda Shokooh, Kiana Hosseinzadeh, Olivia Copeland, Katie Wong

Psychology and Child Development

The United States has a long history of public health inequities which continue to impact individuals based on their varying intersectional identities. These systemic obstacles often impede access to healthcare, comprehensive treatment by physicians, and preventative care, among other factors. Disparities within healthcare consequently result in decreased overall well-being and negative psychological impacts, based on identity. We reviewed a variety of academic peer-reviewed studies, both empirical and systematic, investigating three identity factors: racial and ethnic minorities, socioeconomic status, and cognitive disabilities, and examining how these facets influence a person’s mental state and experience of healthcare. We analyzed each of these …

Integrating Machine Learning With An Fps Aim Trainer For Optimal Sensitivity Finding, Sharan Krishna

Computer Science and Software Engineering

First-person shooter (FPS) games often demand high levels of skill in aiming, which leads players to look for external tools to improve their performance. This is where the concepts of aim training and aim trainers come in, becoming an easily accessible outside source for players to strengthen their performance with custom scenarios outside a set game. While many aim trainers exist, they offer limited insight into player performance metrics or adaptability to varying aiming styles. Furthermore, most existing aim trainers lack a standardized way of correlating aim skill with real-world performance or personalized feedback. This aim trainer addresses these limitations …

Concrete Masonry Unit Construction: Creating Educational Modules On Sustainability, Eric Dam

Construction Management

Concrete Masonry Units are one of the most widely used building materials due to their durability, fire resistance, low maintenance, and specifications. With the growing trend for sustainable construction, it is necessary to teach students how CMUs can contribute to improving environmental performance and dive deeper into multiple resource efficiency. This project developed an instructional module that introduces CMU materials, reviews performance and durability attributes of these materials, and how they are linked to well-known rating systems. The final module includes a presentation, three assignments, and one quiz that will reinforce student learning and refresh industry professionals' knowledge. The following …

Life Cycle Assessment Of A Prefabricated Modular Timber Building, Bryan Mai

Construction Management

Traditional concrete construction carries a high carbon footprint, motivating interest in lower-impact alternatives such as prefabricated modular timber systems. This project conducts a process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) using OpenLCA to evaluate the environmental impacts of a modular timber building. Material quantities from major processes were modeled as flow inputs and converted into standardized OpenLCA units. Impact categories—including acidification potential, human toxicity, and energy/resource use—were analyzed to determine which materials and processes contribute most to overall environmental burden. Results show that transportation and plumbing materials drive the largest acidification impacts, while interior finishes dominate human toxicity. This LCA establishes a …

Building Kit For K-8 Education: An Introduction To Construction Fundamentals, Marc Joynt

Construction Management

Introducing construction concepts to young students requires tools that are both engaging and easy to use, which led to the development of a laser-cut building kit designed for K–8 classrooms. The process began with hand-drawn sketches to establish a simple, age-appropriate structure. The design was then modeled in AutoCAD, where each individual component was drafted for fabrication. After completing the digital model, the files were transferred into Rhino and organized by layer to ensure accurate communication with the laser cutters used to produce the final basswood pieces. Throughout the project, challenges such as material limitations, tolerance adjustments, and simplifying complex …

Assessing Technology Adoption In The Construction Industry, Lucas D. Gibbons

Construction Management

The construction industry is steadily integrating new technologies, yet adoption varies widely depending on company size, market sector, and internal readiness. This study examines how common technologies such as drones (UAVs), Building Information Modeling (BIM), robotics and automated equipment, laser scanning/LiDAR, AI-driven scheduling or analytics tools, and augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR) are being applied in practice, and what benefits they are delivering to construction organizations. To better understand the factors shaping adoption, a survey was administered to members of the CMAC (Construction Management Advisory Council) board representing a range of contractors and industry stakeholders. The survey assessed current technology …

Isolated Dc-Dc Converter For An Ev Microgrid, Oscar Yu, William Leiker

Electrical Engineering

This product is a redesign of a DC-DC buck-boost converter which utilizes a new topology, the flyback converter, for use in an electric vehicle (EV) as a microgrid. The main driver behind the redesign is to provide electrical isolation between elements in the microgrid. The EV microgrid consists of the battery, motor, external DC and AC ports, and the power electronics (DC-DC converter and AC-DC inverter) which were designed and built in previous senior projects. Using EV’s as microgrids can help relieve stress from the main power grid caused by charging electric vehicles. Implementing EV’s as a microgrid enables the …

Associations Between Food Insecurity And Gpa Among Full-Time California State University Undergraduates During Covid-19: The Impact Of Mental Health, Lindsey Jones

Master's Theses

Food insecurity is a persistent public health concern among college students that has been associated with student’s academic and mental health outcomes. This thesis examined the associations between food insecurity, academic performance (measured by GPA) and mental health (using Kessler 6 psychological distress and self-perceived mental health impacts on academic performance), among full-time undergraduate students within the California State University (CSU) system. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using data from the Spring 2021 CSU National College Health Assessment, administered across all 23 campuses. Of the 20,167 respondents, 12,899 students were included in the analytical sample. Bivariate analyses were conducted to analyze …

Multi-Cater Pack Heat Sealer, Ivan Medina-Zepeda, Laurent Hirakata, Donovan Furtado, Cody Ngan

Mechanical Engineering

The Multi-Cater Pack Heat Sealer was developed to support Achievement House, a non-profit organization that employs adults with intellectual and physical disabilities and is facing increasing demand for sealed cater packs. Existing single-pack sealers limited both throughput and accessibility, which led to the creation of a 3D printed attachment for a 40-inch impulse heat sealer. The attachment allows nine packs to be sealed at the same time and includes a tray-style trapdoor that allows for quick unloading. The need for accessibility and usability guided the design throughout the process. Alignment guides improve placement consistency, and the ergonomic layout accommodates both …

Water Bottle Lid Co Detector, Zeke Bukovansky, Jake Siegel, Jack Wisegarver, Cody Rudman

Mechanical Engineering

This project introduces a portable carbon monoxide detector integrated into a water bottle lid to give users a simple way to stay aware of CO exposure in daily life. The design packages an electrochemical sensor, onboard electronics, and clear visual and audible alerts into a compact form that fits standard bottles. By embedding sensing into an object people already carry, the device offers a practical path toward reducing unrecognized CO risks and improving personal safety.

Itadakimasu: Recipes From Japanese American Internment Camps, Alexander K. Nishida

Graphic Communication

This project presents a historical narrative told through the format of a cookbook, exploring the relationship between food, memory, and resilience during the Japanese American Internment of World War II. Using primary resources such as news publications from within the camps (Topaz Times,1943), historical interviews (Herzig, 1994), and secondary resources from an archival podcast (Campu, 2021) to highlight how food served as both a means of survival and an expression of identity under confinement.

The cookbook will combine recipes inspired by documented internment-era meals with stories and reflections gathered from interviews, archival materials, and community voices. Each section will contextualize …

Educational Ai Agents In Vr, Jake Eichenseer

Graphic Communication

AI powered educational agents are programs that are capable of interpreting their environment and then making decisions based on that (Cordova-Esparza, 2025). Agentic programs like these can be helpful in an educational setting because they can be used to provide personalized feedback to students, assist instructors with grading, and adapt learning materials in real time to match each student’s progress. However, there are a multitude of concerns raised by agentic programs as well, causing experts to consider the ethical implications of integrating them into school curricula. The Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department wanted to study how participants would respond when …

Communicating Change: A Visual Analysis Of American Political And Activist Posters, Hana Sage Morshedi

Graphic Communication

Across U.S. history, posters have helped movements inform, persuade, and mobilize the public, going beyond information to signal identity and values. In this project, I analyze 40 historically significant American political and activist posters, from wartime propaganda to civil rights and queer liberation, to explore how visual choices shape public opinion and drive social change. I focus on elements such as community/heritage colors, typography, composition, and cultural or movement-specific motifs to see how they signal identity, guide action, and contribute to a “successful” poster.