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Capstone Projects

photo of students with bees

The Environmental Studies Capstone Project is a three credit group research project. The Capstone Project meets the Finishing Foundation (FF) requirements for the Foundational Studies Program. All capstone projects have an external sponsor, and culminate with a poster presentation at the (spring) Undergraduate Research Conference at Boise State. Past project sponsors have included the National Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Green Building Council, to name but a few. In addition


2020

Boise State’s Path to Carbon Neutrality: A Climate Action Plan
Morgan Brummund, Dr. John Gardner, Kat Davis, Dr. Jennifer Pierce, Dr. Stephanie Lenhart, Jason Hermes

Idaho Beaver Outreach Plan
Lillianne French, Rosio Ojeda, Melissa Symmes, Dr. Emily Wakild

A Clean and Green Boise School District. Student Involvement Within a Collaborative Focus Group
Benjamin Gage, Dr. Jennifer Pierce, Dr. Janet Kaufman, Chris Taylor, Eric Willadsen

Restoration of Idaho’s Lands: Why Beaver History is Important to the wellbeing of Idaho
Nick Hougaard, Katelyn Thom, Dr. Emily Wakild

Idaho’s 6th Graders in STEM
Rachel Anne Lindsey, Pamella A. Cedillo, Dr. Jen Pierce, Dr. Cheryl Finley, Hannah Courtright, Chris Taylor

Developing New Elementary Climate Science Curriculum Strategies for K-6 Students at the Boise Watershed
Dustin Lukehart, Dr, Jen Pierce, Cindy Busche, Augusto Gabrielli, Tristan Harris

The Comeback Kid: Caster Canadensis. Opportunities and Challenges to Reintegrating Beavers in Ada County and Owyhee County
Alicia E. Martin, Dr. Emily Wakild


2017-2018

Air Quality in the Treasure Valley
Scott Woodworth, Rachel Pollreis, Chandler Craft and Kevin Townsley

Building an Arduino Weather Station
Emma Chard

Erosion Management in Boise Hillside to Hollow Reserve
Kelsea Donahue, Ben Vering, Cassie Connolly

People and Nature: Urban Life and Wetland Use
Jacob Lang and Ryan Knutzen

Habitat Restoration at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve
Kendra Rebal, Shawna Embry, Aubri Kelly. Hannah Wynn

Sustainable Solutions to Disposal of Solar Batteries in Kakamega, Kenya
Alex Dey, Britt Gable, and Travis Spring

Creating Sustainable Solar Energy Solutions in Kakamega, Kenya
Tevrin Fuller, Megan Foster, Mitchell Huffman, Natalie Chopko

Boise Open Spaces
Michael Garrett and Sander Taylor

Bare-naked Automobiles: Safer Alternatives for Paint Stripping
Natalie Hui, Miranda McCall, Corey Rich

Spatio-temporal differences in particulate matter pollution in Boise
Javier Luna, Eric Swider, Zachary Traylor, Kevin Townsley

Effects of vegetation treatments on soil invertebrate populations in the Great Basin rangelands
William Sipe

Boise Open Space – Stack Rock Reserve Recreational Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment
Bryan Brown

Sustainability Reporting & Practices Across BSU
Calen Beaudoin, Jonathan Rodriguez, Jennifer Lightfoot


2016-2017

Effects of Noise Pollution from F-35A Aircraft at Gowen Field Air Base
Rebecca Frey, John Carlson & John Clayton

Boise Air Quality: Assessing Health Risks at Elementary Schools
Colton Braatz, Kelly Tarantino, and Heath Chisholm

Effects of Urban Sprawl on the Water Infrastructure and Agricultural Production in the Treasure Valley
Gaylen Edmo, Ridge Baldner, Bailey Rogers, and Alli Olson

The Importance of Preserving Farmland in the Treasure Valley
Austin Lewis, Danielle Warnke, Colby Behr, Cassidy Bremer

Is Your Refrigerator Running? Treasure Valley Grocery Store HFCs
Matt Clark, Jace Parker, and Rebekah Triolo

Going GREEN With LEAN
Zachary Metzger, Savannah Richardson, Marta Söderlund, and Erika Vaudrin

Snake River Stewardship Program Feasibility Study
Tyler Jenson, Christine Smithand Melissa Wagner

The Central Addition: Boise’s LIV District
Kellie Dugdale, Kailee Bales, Sebrina Mortensen, James Teget

Youth Water Summit
Lisa Barry, Kymber Hunt, Darby Kenyon, Drew Riemersma


2015-2016

College of Health Sciences Environmental Sustainability Report
Holly Catt, James Pavelek, Joel Matheson, and Tasha Smagula

Solvent Alternatives
Chelsy Melander, Conner Grossman, Sam Cooper, and Jordan Lemons

Recyclemania
Garrett Young, Jake Cordtz, Johnny Whittemore, and Josh Walters

Stormwater GIS Project
Athena Brown, Ed Graves, and Sarah Hurt

GreenGame Recycling Project
Austin Valceshini, Jacob Cryer, Kevin Brizzi, and Taylor West

Earth Week Organizing Project
Gina Sturiale, Patrick Baker, Sarah Boyd, and Tyler Tahmann

E3 Sustainability & Process Improvement Project
Elissa Day, Kit Woras, and Tucker Feyder

Vehicle Idling Reduction at Treasure Valley Elementary Schools
Chance Covillon, Lynn Cronin, Trace Blackstone, and Tyana Weaver

Brownfields Project
Alex Mark, Amy Kent, Evan Pierce, and Max Duffy

Boise State University Bee Team
Courtnie Carter, Jamie Lynch, and Jerrad Nelson


2014-2015

Brewery Sustainability and Process Improvement
Emily Berg, Conner Thorsen, and Corey Wageman

Boise Urban Garden School Design Project
Ashlynn Goody, Brittany Crewse, and Chris Manning

Idling Awareness at Elementary Schools
Dani Niswander and Brandon Sims

Lifecycle Analysis of Lunch Waste in Boise Schools
Brianna Strodtbeck, Case Hegg-James, Marissa Burton, and Wyatt Edgerton

Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway Management Plan
Michelle DeBard, Elise Thiel, and Brian Crowley

United States Green Building Council Discovery Center Project
Christopher Pacold and Kellie Joyce

Highway 21 Interpretive Video Project
Jennifer Higgins, John Cole, and Richard Martinez

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Site Analysis in Downtown Boise
Sara Kososik, Anders Pace, and Azad Mohammed


2013-2014

Blacks Creek Bird Reserve: Outdoor Classroom and Service Learning Proposal
Kristin Araki, Nick Bevers, Maren Watkins, and Shaun Wheeler

Boise River Phosphorous Loading & Community Outreach Program
Ben Blamires, Kamay Emele, Matt Kintol, and Jason Kittridge

Mores Creek Watershed Restoration
Sarah Sneider and Joe Thiessen

Solutions for Nonpoint Source Pollution in the Boise River
Matthew Date, Cassidy Eby, Emily McClintock

Boise State Pop-Up Farmer’s Market
Russell Bridges, Joseph Rush, and Kodi Sims

Solar Lighting at Boise State University
Michelle Gordon, Toby Mogavero, Emily Montague, and Lindsey Walters

Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste
Wesley Koster, Kyla Griffin, and Marc Callister


2012-2013

Boise State University Bike Share Program
Lela Work, Pete Gardner, and Kyle DeGoey

Vermiculture at Boise State University
Katy Hudson, Nancy Simonds, Kimberly Tate, and Sara Meyer

Water Conservation Techniques in Municipal Landscaping
Max Showers, Christine Hummer, and Corey Courchane

A Capacity Analysis for the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness and Wild & Scenic Rivers
Mykal Eden and Christine Raininger

Reducing Water Use Through Behavioral Changes in Residential Landscaping Practices in Arid Parts of Idaho
Colleen Asher and Marc Cnossen


2011-2012

Proposal For Carbon Neutrality Policy At BSU
Dixie Brown, Sarah Cross, Chase Cusack, Brock Lipple, and Jordan Scott

Green Hub in the SUB
William Hunt, Julian Lindsay, Quinn McDonald, Kyle Robb, and Riki Sears

Transportation at Boise State University
Cord Roth, Austin Owens, Cass Jones, Paul Augustine, and Brittany Crossen


2009-2010

Resource Conservation Through Landscape Techniques
Dakota Lynch, Ajara Dias, and Camille Kirkpatrick

Examination of the Energy Usage by Computers and Associated Peripherals on the BSU Campus
Lynn Bartlett

The Water’s Fine
Lori Gibbs

Feasibility Study: Vermicomposting at Boise State University
Samantha Hobdey, Scott Sievers, and Chris Robison

Night Class Redistribution to Reduce Energy Consumption
Billie Laughtland