Welcome to the AIR
The Alma College Institutional Repository contains the publicly available digital materials and archives created by Alma College students, faculty and staff. The Alma College Digital Photo Archive, the entire run of Almanian Student newspaper, and all of the Alma College Yearbooks are available here.
Recent Submissions
Item Operation: Sky Seed(2026)In this project, we explore the design space of renewable tree delivery systems. Working with the company MiON Forest, we worked on designing “tree pods” that deliver saplings to recently burned areas via a drone. The drone is mounted with artificial intelligence that can determine the optimal planting location for the pod. We were tasked with finding a biodegradable and cost effective material to mass produce. Additionally, we were tasked with decreasing the size of the pod while maintaining the effectiveness of the current design. Achieving this allows the company to 5x the capacity of the drone, making it financially viable to take more contracts and in as a result, plant more trees in the reforestation effort. Our designs take inspiration from things such as lawn darts, bullets, and even competitors of MiON Forest. We use the Fusion 360 suite to find terminal velocities, and air drag to find a design with the highest chance of firmly embedding into the ground. We expect to have multiple designs of varying designs, shapes, and materials from which we will test using static force programs and deliver these designs to the company for them to review and ultimately pick to use in their drone. This research into the aerodynamics of the seed pod is of the upmost importance as this allows trees to be planted in places that would normally be dangerous for humans to get to. Additionally, these seed pods will have much higher survival rates than other methods available, leading to a fast, safe, and effective way to reforest Canada one tree at a time.Item Art and Design Senior Show(2026)The Art and Design Senior Show is a combination of individual research, artistic experimentation, and creative development of work over two semesters or more by the 2026 graduating senior class. Our show is brought together by a diverse range of works across multiple mediums, reflecting our diverse approaches, interests, and personal perspectives from each artist and designer. Over the course of two semesters, students engaged in independent demonstrations of skills, research, critique, and hard work to refine our own creative plans and technical abilities. The works presented spans a wide array of mediums, including painting, graphic design, animation, photography, comics, nail art, and other mixed medias. While each student’s collection is distinct, our projects share a community of thoughtful self exploration and a strong desire to uplift creative practices at Alma College. As students, we were challenged to investigate themes meaningful to our own experiences and perspectives, allowing personal identity, cultural influence, and social awareness to inform both concept and execution. This exhibition emphasizes the importance of artistic expression and knowledge of your practice. Each senior curated their own bodies of work, demonstrating an ability to make informed creative decisions while navigating both professional criticisms and personal challenges. These works highlight the many diverse creative pathways that both art and design can be expressed, communicated, and experienced. The Art and Design Department is an inclusive and diverse community of artists, The Senior Show is meant to reflect, uplift and support not only that environment but also each student individually and unite through our community of creatives. The Art and Design Senior Show serves not only as a celebration of individual progress, but also as a collective reflection of growth, resilience, knowledge, and creative exploration.Item Examining The Relationship Between Bone Reoxygenation and Bone Mineral Density Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry(2026)The research being presented is unique within its subject field because it is aimed at a specific and younger demographic than previous studies. The study aims to explore the relationship between bone reoxygenation and bone mineral density. It seeks to determine if it is possible to make conclusions about bone mineral density based on hemodynamic responses, measured using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA).. This work is novel in its approach of using one method, NIRS, a non-invasive technology, to measure blood flow to the bone tissue. NIRS can measure the oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations. It is able to track various variables surrounding the desaturation and reperfusion of oxygen (by measuring oxyhemoglobin concentrations) in the given tissue. Subjects undergo an occlusion protocol while wearing the NIRS probe on their right proximal tibia. The NIRS is able to record the occlusion, and analysis is conducted of the first three seconds post occlusion, as well as the maximum hyperemic response. The DXA scanner is used to scan the right proximal tibia of the participant and from there, a localized bone mineral density reading is recorded. The data analysis involves using results from the participant’s intake demographic surveys, their NIRS results, and the bone density results. They are analyzed with a two-sample T-test. The hypotheses being explored look at the correlation of the reoxygenation rate of bone to the bone mineral density, then additionally from a sex-based perspective, as well as from an activity level perspective. Current results may be indicative of a positive trend for a sex-based correlation.Item The Development of Modern American Politics Through Three Lenses(2026)Modern American politics are drastically different from the politics of the past. Our goal in POL-401 is to understand the development of modern American politics through three separate lenses, these being financialization, polarization, and the presidency. Financialization relates to the development of the modern finance economy and all that came with it. This helps to understand the development of modern American economic politics, or in some ways a dismantling or lack-thereof. Polarization explores how the public has grown more divided and what the consequences of this division are for modern politics. Growing polarization leads to changes in how politics is exercised, changing various aspects of the US system. The presidency is observed through a trend of growing executive authority at the expense of other branches of government. Rising executive authority presents various challenges to the American public, and understanding the debates surrounding executive authority helps to understand the development of politics as a whole.Item Live Cello Accompaniment as a Therapeutic Modality in Dance: Does it aid in Physical and Mental Well-Being in College Students?(2026)Music has an imperative role in dance, but how music and dance work together to affect the body emotionally, physically, and mentally is crucial for the understanding of the mind-body connection required for movement. Dancers inadvertently explore this idea throughout every class period or practice, but oftentimes, the accompaniment of music is prerecorded and played through technology such as speakers and phones. Live accompaniment is rare to come by for dancers, but the Alma College Dance Department is fortunate to offer it in select dance classes through percussion instruments and the piano. The cello, a large, low-pitched bowed string instrument, has a rich history in dance, contributing to melodic lines heard in professional ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, but is not utilized as accompaniment to classes at Alma. In conjunction with this, the cello, with its rich timbre, is often used in meditative, relaxation, and sound healing music.
Communities in AIR
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