Mountain Scholar

Mountain Scholar is an open access repository service that collects, preserves, and provides access to digitized library collections and other scholarly and creative works from Colorado State University and the University Press of Colorado. It also serves as a dark archive for the Open Textbook Library.

Communities in Mountain Scholar

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Colorado State University, Fort Collins 28096
Explore the Colorado State University community’s scholarly output as well as items from the University at large and the CSU Libraries.
Open Textbook Library Archive 25
A limited number of titles are available here. To see all OTL titles, please visit the Open Textbook Library at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks. Only Open Textbook Library staff have access to all OTL Archive titles held in Mountain Scholar.
University Press of Colorado 1088
Access is limited to University Press of Colorado members. Non-members: to purchase books, please visit https://upcolorado.com/.

Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
Rebuilding the social space: the revitalization of third spaces in post-pandemic communities
(2026-05) Serra, Abigail, author; King, Hillary, advisor; Zwick-Tapley, Sarah, committee member
This thesis aims to investigate the loss in contemporary society of community-centered "third spaces" and examine how architectural design can reintroduce and sustain them. Third spaces have been a hidden power playing a critical role in sustaining social cohesion and community identity, however, modern research indicates an exponential decline in these spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research culminated and in this paper will extensively contribute to the development of a 60,000+ square foot senior capstone project, grounding the design in evidence-based design strategies that will prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, and social engagement. The methodology used in this paper includes a comprehensive scholarly review of existing literature and theories as well as a voluntary survey examining the following: generational perspectives on social space, an analysis of post-pandemic behavioral shifts, and preferred remedies and designs in typical users of the space. Additionally, three observational case studies were conducted ranging from methods of direct observation to secondary sources to truly understand how a modern user interacts with labeled "third spaces". Research also considers an in-depth examination of how well each case study utilizes the design theories discussed. This study has found that there is a substantial dissatisfaction in community spaces. Factors contributing to this are influenced by generational divergences severely intensified by the pandemic, economic barriers decreasing the ability to have non-commercialized practices, and an increased reliance on digital platforms for social connection. These factors have significantly reshaped social behaviors, particularly among younger generations. In turn, this has shifted design preferences and comfortability more towards outdoor spaces that escape the tension of an interior environment. Design preferences have also shifted to include more flexible structure, free flowing circulation, and areas that create experiences rather than uphold tradition. This research will contribute to the field of interior architecture by identifying how the upcoming generation facilitates meaningful connection post-pandemic, reintroduce weak-ties, and support common interaction people are hesitant to approach. This thesis also will explore how to design strategies that favor the surrounding community and make society a much more pleasant and comfortable environment.
Access status: Open Access ,
Rambots: robust robotic systems for outreach
(2026-05) Serff, Everett, author; Fatehiboroujeni, Soheil, advisor; Bailey, Ryan, committee member
The use of robotics in outreach and education has been shown to play an important role in motivating student interest in STEM, particularly when interactive experiences and mentorship are involved. Building on this foundation, the Rambot project is a multi-year, multidisciplinary effort focused on developing an accessible quadrupedal robot platform known as Sparky, which the team brings to K-12 STEM outreach events. This year’s project focuses on improving the robot’s functionality and outreach impact through the addition of new capabilities and forward-looking design work. Specifically, the team developed a manipulator arm capable of picking up objects and began early-stage design of a next-generation Rambot Mark II. The arm was designed using decision matrices, static analysis, and inverse kinematics, with validation through simulation in MATLAB, Python, and MuJoCo, along with CAD modeling, additive manufacturing, and custom PCB development. In parallel, the Mark II effort involved defining design requirements, creating conceptual models, and evaluating alternative leg architectures. Simulation results demonstrate that the manipulator arm can reliably reach target positions and perform object interaction tasks, supporting its potential use in automation and interactive demonstrations. Additionally, outreach experiences suggest that the addition of interactive features such as the arm increases engagement and interest among participants. The Mark II design process further identified a ball screw-driven leg mechanism as a promising approach for improving performance and robustness. This work contributes to the continued development of accessible robotics platforms by expanding functionality and strengthening their effectiveness as educational tools, while also laying the groundwork for a more advanced and capable system in future iterations.
Access status: Open Access ,
Reframing rest: the importance of sleep and interactive education for children and adolescents
(2026-05) White, Elizabeth, author; Meyer, Carolyn, advisor; Ivie, Kenny, committee member
Sleep is a critical physiological process that lays the foundation for health and prosperity. Regulated by the circadian rhythm and sleep drive, it consists of four stages that cycle throughout the night, each serving distinct physiological functions. Various areas of the brain work in concert to coordinate sleep, including the hypothalamus, pineal gland, basal forebrain, brainstem, and amygdala. Because sleep affects every system in the body, its quality and duration profoundly influence both mental and physical health, contributing to various risks spanning from cardiovascular disease to depression. In today’s world of efficiency, technology, and early school start times, sleep is increasingly deprioritized—especially among adolescents, 77% of whom experience sleep deprivation. By leveraging the effectiveness of interactive and visual learning, sleep education for children can be used to combat sleep deprivation among adolescents. After researching the anatomy, mechanisms, and importance of sleep, as well as the science behind youth learning, I developed a project to educate children of Fort Collins and encourage early development of positive sleep habits.
Access status: Open Access ,
Physician, suffragist, and citizen: Dr. Margaret Long and early twentieth-century feminism
(2026-05-08) Davisson, Makena, author; Orsi, Jared, advisor; Thomas, Adam, committee member
Dr. Margaret Long (1873-1957) was a medical philanthropist, an activist in the suffragist movement, and a notable travel writer. Long demonstrated that women's progress required simultaneous action across all spheres of society, challenging gender norms and creating space for women. With financial and family support, Long dedicated her early life to pursuing an education, bypassing domestic expectations for women. She established her career as a physician in Denver, working alongside a non-profit sanatorium to advance women's progress in society through focused public health efforts that improved conditions for women. Her professional career and dedication to social progress frame her as a representation of feminist ideals that sought equality in education, the workforce, and society. Long believed in bold political action, using suffrage as a platform for equality, and she dedicated her time to national suffrage campaigns through leadership in radical and militant organizations. Her legacy of historical writings and maps highlights her dedication to recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of women and other trailblazers in the American West. She defied gender norms by attending college, obtaining a medical degree, practicing medicine, advocating for women’s suffrage, having same-sex relationships, and traveling alone. Long’s contributions during her life represent a shift in societal expectations for women and a leading example for generations of women to come. Long’s biography helps us understand the early wave of feminism through the life of a woman who embodied feminist ideology. Drawing on oral histories and archival collections, this paper examines how Long’s public activities demonstrate the tenor of twentieth-century feminism.
Access status: Open Access ,
Comparative morphological analysis of a Leopard frog complex in Colorado
(2026-05) Ward, Finnegan E., author; Bailey, Larissa L., advisor; Newmark, Elena R., committee member
Hybridization is a unique conservation issue that can lead to reduced fitness and loss of local adaptation and may influence management practices, especially for species of conservation concern. The ability to distinguish hybrids with morphological features is helpful for wildlife managers but often requires confirmation via genomic information. The Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens; NLF) and Plains Leopard Frog (Lithobates blairi; PLF) are two native species of leopard frogs in Colorado which are known to hybridize in areas where their ranges overlap in the southeastern region of the state. NLFs are listed as a Tier 1 species of conservation concern in Colorado, with significant population declines throughout the state but especially on the Front Range. In contrast, PLF populations are thought to be stable, and the species is not of conservation concern (CPW, 2026). The goal of this study is to determine the morphological characteristics that distinguish between NLFs, PLFs, and putative hybrid individuals. The Funk Lab and CPW biologists collected tissue samples and photographs of leopard frogs throughout Colorado. I randomly selected 20 individuals of each species and 4 putative hybrids for this study. Characteristics from sampled individuals were categorically scored on a variety of traits that are hypothesized to distinguish between the species. I used two analyses to evaluate traits that best predicted species identity: logistic regression and Random Forest computer learning algorithm. Both logistic regression and Random Forest suggest the tympanum spot is the best predictor of the NLF species, with the dorsolateral fold also showing importance for identification. Additionally, the Random Forest shows strong predictive ability between species, but accuracy is negatively influenced with the inclusion of putative hybrids. Eventually, we will be able to use genetic data to determine true species identity and whether hybrids can be identified morphologically. If they can, we will be able to establish the best combination of traits for field identification of species.