2026-27 Capstone

Primary research Additional

Research Method:

Semi-Structure Interview

Participant: Home Depot Manager

Research Goal:

The purpose of this interview was to find out more about the kids' workshop activities that Home Depot puts on and whether it would be possible to integrate the scrap material from Marble Plastics into the current system they have. Rather than just asking if they thought the idea was good, we focused on understanding how they operate and what logistical aspects would have to be worked out.

Interview Questions:

How are materials and projects for the Kids Workshop currently selected?

Have recycled or reclaimed materials been used in workshops before?

What would need to happen before a concept like this could realistically be considered?

Do you think parents and children would respond positively to knowing their project was made from local manufacturing waste?

Do workshop materials need to arrive as finished, prefabricated components?

Results:

From the brief interview that I was able to have with the manager at Home Depot, there were a few key points that really stuck out. The first point that stuck out was that everything that had to do with the planning and setup of the events was done at a corporate level. This means that if we were to get any events done between Marble Plastics and Home Depot, it would require various levels of clearance in order to get it set up. As for the reception to the material, the manager was in favor of the idea, and they were able to see the value in introducing another material to work with and learn about. As for the kits that they already use, they all come from corporate and are assembled and prepared outside the store, so they are ready to be built once they arrive. They also thought that it could be fun for kids, with the material not being uniform, as each kid would get to create their own unique project. It seems like the two main issues surrounding the idea would have to be designing a material flow that is safe and reliable and achieving collaboration at the corporate level.

Fabrix: A Sustainable Building Material.

When it comes to the issue of textile waste, the speed at which we accumulate this waste is often attributed to one tangible source: the invention of the synthetic textile. Synthetic textiles cost significantly less in materials and labor to produce. And we’ve become good at it too. The

It’s Not Your Fault: Designing the Connections Behind Sustainability.

You may not realize at first what this tabloid cover is really trying to get at. You might see the less than perfect graphic design, or perhaps the silly nature of the content itself. What do you think it responds to? In reality, this conjecture seems to be promoting some

Inflight Capabilities with Delta Airlines

There are many parallels to be drawn between the possibilities of entertainment systems in cars and airplanes. Many new advancements are being made in both industries but the push for airlines to improve their systems comes with extreme competition from other airlines and with the desire to uphold the needs

Music education and children's brain development

Music in general is an integral part to everyday life. More importantly, music being present in the everyday lives of children can have profound effects on their development as seen in this study from USC. Music instruction appears to accelerate brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of