Capstones & Research

A significant independent research project culminates both the major and minor, providing students the opportunity for survey, investigation, research, or creative activity that synthesizes and extends classroom learning. Students must demonstrate an understanding of key concepts; apply relevant methods, theories, and analytical frameworks to researching and evaluating solutions to complex problems; and exhibit the leadership skills necessary to be an “agent for change” on behalf of a more sustainable world.

2024-2025: Capstones (major) and Independent Research Projects (minor)

Blair, Tobin. 2025. Board Games and Sustainability. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 50 pp.

Christensen, Kassie. 2024. Sustainable Purchasing by College Students: A Researched Perspective. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 22 pp.

Lassissi, Bissola. 2025. Designing for Change—Community Composting in Benin, West Africa. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 36 pp.

Manger, Amelie. 2024. Causal Factors and Possible Solutions for East Alton’s Food Desert. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 45 pp.

Murphy, Kian. 2024. The Importance of Wildlife Rehabilitation in the Midwestern United States: A Case Study of a Rural Illinois Facility. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 13 pp.

Needham, Marshall. 2024. Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Ground Source Geothermal Heat Pump System at Principia College. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 39 pp.

Stewart, Rachel. 2025. Growing Potential: Why Green Roofs Haven't Taken Root in St. Louis. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 49 pp.

2022-2023: Capstones (major) and Independent Research Projects (minor)

Christensen, Spencer. 2022. Carbon Sequestration in the Principia Forest - Implications for Carbon Neutrality. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 54 pp.
Hoffman, Daniel. 2022. Home Energy Audits and the Climate Crisis. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 30 pp.
Holt, Abigail. 2022. Stable Water Isotope Analysis of the Matthes-LLewellyn Divide using a Deep Ice Core, with Insights into Climate Change. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 20 pp.
Huss, Kelsie. 2023. Examining the Nexus Between Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) Foraging Landscapes and a Changing Climate. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 37 pp.
Lemon, Anna. 2022. System-Based Farming. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 41 pp.

Matters, Zack. 2022. Greening the Powersports Industry: A Corporate Sustainability Action Plan. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 40 pp.

Ndayishimiye, Grace. 2022. Reducing Single Use of Bioplastics in Principia Dining Services. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College.
Paul, Gracie. 2023. Sustainable Coffee: A Guide for Small Businesses. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 49 pp.
Richards, Geena. 2023. Sustainability and Sovereignty: An Examination of Sustainability and de facto Statehood in North Cyprus. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 38 pp.
Sperr, Kiona. 2022. Is Free-Market Capitalism a Hindrance to Sustainable Development? Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 38 pp.
Tessman, Alana. 2023. Wildlife Conservation and Predator Mangement Strategies. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 25 pp.

2020-2021: Capstones (major) and Independent Research Projects (minor)

Gillett, Caia. 2020. The Influence of Biophilic Design on Mental Health and Sustainable Development in Alton, Illinois. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 36 pp.
Hanson, Benjamin. 2021. Can the Use of Technology Advance Sustainability in the Classroom? Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 31 pp.
McFall, Kaleigh. 2021. Social and Environmental Impacts of Fast Fashion. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 25 pp.
Perse, Valerie. 2021. The Faults of Fast Fashion. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 31 pp.
Peschke, Nadja. 2021. West Quad Apple Tree Landscape Design Proposal. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 16 pp.
Saylor, Mallory. 2021. Tiny House Living! Sustainable Lifestyle Options. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 10 pp.
Ungerleider, Sarah. 2020. Teaching Sustainability at a Summer Camp: An Opportunity for Community-Centric Education. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 47 pp.

2018-2019: Capstones (major) and Independent Research Projects (minor)

Bejar Gutierrez, Vanessa. 2018. KIKIPA: Reducing Inequity in Peru through the Development of Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 47 pp.
Benkoski, Hunter. 2019. Principia College Pollinator Conservation Plan. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 40 pp.
Hathaway, Sophia. 2019. Indigenous Pedagogy: A Tool for a Sustainable Future. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 32 pp.
Jones, Hallie Makai. 2019. Sustainable Interior Design. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 77 pp.
Lesko, Ava. 2019. Sustainable Beauty. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 23 pp.
Meyers, Samson. 2018. Herpetofauna of Principia College: A Series of Researched Pamphlets. 1. Amphibians, 2. Lizards and Turtles. 3. Snakes: Venomous and Non-Venomous. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 18 pp.
Pierce, Allegra. 2019. Urban Forest Inventory at Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 23 pp.
Puduski, Courtney. 2018. Engaging Christian Science Churches in Sustainability Issues: A Series of Articles written for the Christian Science Publishing Society. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 12 pp.
Ross, Jeffrey. 2019. Pathway to Carbon Neutrality through RIN Trading. Sustainability Major Capstone, Principia College. 26 pp.
Tiw-ac, Ronalyn. 2018. Break the Cycle, Sustain the Healing: Sexual Violence Against Women. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 39 pp.

2017: Independent Research Projects (Sustainability minor)

Emden, Mat. 2017. Green Revolving Investment Tracking System (GRITS): An Evaluation of its Utility to Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 36 pp.
Emden, Mat. 2017. GRITS Application: Low-Flow Showerhead Retrofit in Residential Dorms and Athletic Facilities. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 4 pp.
Fulton, Lauren. 2017. Marketing Sustainability: Principia Dining Services. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College.
Keplinger, Jolee. 2017. The Plant-based Menu Project: Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 42 pp.
McEntire, Jason. 2017. The Story of Food @ Principia College: A Narrated Video. Sustainability Research Project. [Watch the video at Zero Waste]
Mehring, Hunter. 2017. "Gold and Blue is Green" - A Podcast Series on Principia Internet Radio. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. [Listen to the podcasts at Find Your Voice]
Robinson, Ben and Josh Keeley. 2017. Solar Array on Principia College’s Cross Country Pavilion. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 36 pp.
Sparkman, Truett. 2017. Charcoal-Forest Dynamics: Understanding the Role of Charcoal in Deforestation. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 60 pp.
Stephenson, Sara. 2017. "Upcycling" - The Future of Fashion. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. [2017 Earth Day Fair featured a runway show of Sara's handcrafted clothing.]
Telschow, Natasha. 2017. Ecological Footprint Analysis of Resource Use for an Omnivore vs. Vegetarian Diet. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 23 pp.
Wright, Deirdre. 2017. Oppression of Indigenous Women in Guatemala. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 59 pp.

2016: Independent Research Projects (Sustainability minor)

Emden, Mat. 2016. The Up-Cycle. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 9 pp.
Jackson, Heather. 2016. The Future of Composting at Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 19 pp.
Lewis, Jeffrey. 2016. Installing a Green Roof on the Science Center, Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. [Video at Use Your Hands]
Oloo, Alice. 2016. Transboundary Flow of Electronics Waste from Developed to Less Developed Countries. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 32 pp.
Silcox, Kevin. 2016. Carbon Sequestration and the Principia Forest: Managing Forest Assets for Carbon Neutrality. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 15 pp. + appendices.
Tidwell, Nadine and Ryan Richardson. 2016. Aquaponics Handbook. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 31 pp. [Watch the video at Use Your Hands]

2015: Independent Research Projects (Sustainability minor)

Bollinger, Conrad, Ryan Richardson and Nadine Tidwell. 2015. Aquaponics at Principia: A Report of Preliminary Findings. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 53 pp.
Dehnert, Jesse. 2015. Residential Energy Use in the United States and a Home Energy Audit of the Principia Guest House. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 30 pp.
Eckert, Adam. 2015. Principia College Greenhouse Gas Inventory. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 27 pp.
Goodsell, Gavin. 2015. Passive Solar Greenhouse: Proposed Concept Drawings and Report. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 13 pp.
Keller, Timon and Anna-Zoe Herr. 2015. Socio-Economic Study of Humane Meat. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 39 pp.
List, Ingrid. 2015. Elementary School Gardens and Teaching for Sustainability. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 38 pp.
Matusek, Conner. 2015. Renovating the Principia Community Garden. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 26 pp.
Milhous, Amanda. 2015. Amanda EcoGirl: A Pinterest Site for Sustainable Living. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College.
Myers, Samson. 2015. Chickens in the Community Garden: Sustainable Food Systems at Principia. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 19 pp.
Nichoson, Tyler. 2015. Principia Beekeepers Association: Apiary Care at Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 23 pp.
Zapata Cornejo, Sergio. 2015. The Benefits of Sustainable Coffee in Decreasing the Activity of Illegal Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 55 pp.

2014: Independent Research Projects (Sustainability minor)

Bollinger, Conrad. 2014. Principia Aquaponics Demonstration Project. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 38 pp.
Jackson, Heather. 2014. Composting at Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 39 pp.
Kreutz, Eifel. 2014. Capturing Stormwater and Mitigating Erosion Damage to the Principia College Watson Staff Parking Lot. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 27 pp.
Lauria, Ally. 2014. A Comparison of Soil Properties Between Paired No-till and Conventional Tillage Systems in Central Illinois. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 28 pp.
Littell, Lauren. 2014. Principia College Sustainability Walking Tour, with a Discussion of the One Planet Principles as an Evaluative Model for Sustainability. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 33 pp.
Marczi, Nadine. 2014. The Use of Rain Gardens in Landscape Design. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 31 pp.
Posson, Chaylee. 2014. Sustainability and Micro-business: A Cradle to Cradle Product Audit. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 120 pp.
Ross, Scott. 2014. African Elephant Poaching and the Illegal Ivory Trade. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 19 pp.
Shepard, Cathrine. 2014. A Green Cleaning Purchasing Standard for Principia. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 85 pp.
Waller, Vanessa. 2014. Achieving Zero Waste at Principia College. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 31 pp.

2013: Independent Research Projects (Sustainability minor)

Barnacle, Robert. 2013. Being Green in an Unsustainable Society. Sustainability Research Project. Principia College. 24 pp.
Kodero, Easter. 2013. Sustainability and the Educating of Girls: A Plan for a School in Bondo County, Kenya. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 24 pp.
Mack, Leah. 2013. A Farm at Principia College: A Feasibility Study. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 40 pp.
Rolph, Adam. 2013. Terraforming: A Solution to the Anthropocene. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 9 pp.
Witters Hicks, Kynan. 2013. A Semester with the Water Resource Action Project (WRAP): Outcomes and Reflections. Sustainability Research Project, Principia College. 26 pp.

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