Background

This project involves creating a tool that coordinates volunteers at the Lewisburg pantry. This tool would keep track of volunteer names, level, extent of interest, availability, expectations and training. This tool would also create schedules using these information in a way that prevents volunteer burnouts. It is important to build into this tool the ability to advertise the pantry , increase awareness and the number of volunteers.

Executive Summary

A good computational system to solve this problem is database storing all these information but connected to a website available to the  volunteers and pantry operators. The volunteers enter their information, update their availability and the system is able to automatically create/update a schedule. The pantry operators also have access to this information.  Some aspects of the training can also be moved to the website to increase the number of  qualified number of volunteers. The website can also display information about the pantry that could draw interested volunteers and donations.

Viability Analysis

This project would require knowledge about website design. Since I’m familiar with many languages it would be easy to improve my JavaScript skills. Database skills are also required. After quickly acquiring/brushing up on these skills, solution to this problem can be easily implemented.

Risks and Rewards

Lewisburg is a small place. I envision that most of the volunteers would be older people and the  risk we may run into is an inability of the older volunteers to interact with the designed system. We would have to pay for the domain and the database we would need. A successful implementation of this project would mean giving back to the community for a good cause using my skills.

Closing

Investing in an app as a solution to this problem is viable. It is an efficient, fairly uncomplicated way to solve this problem. The resources required to implement this would not cause any serious financial implications.

Background

Bucknell University is a 4-year college in the middle of nowhere. Many events are organized by different student organizations such as parties, games, dinners, talks, concerts  etc on campus at different times and locations to maintain a healthy social life . There are usually posters advertising some events and students usually have to take pictures or enter events into their google calendar in order to keep track (personal experience). It’s important to have a central location of all these events. For events available to outsiders, more specific location information should be provided as well as useful information that can help them navigate the campus (e.g parking locations).

Executive Summary

A good solution to this problem is a mobile phone application that contains/is regularly updated with  all events on campus. It has event details such as time and location. Google Maps can be added to the app to provide directions for visitors. This app can also be used to push urgent information to the student body.  Events would be pushed to app and students can select the events they’re interested in and would receive reminders about the events.

Viability Analysis

It is possible to build this app but it’s important to determine the system by which the school events get added, the different level of access etc. Another important decision would be to select a platform: android/IOS. This project would require close interaction with the CAP center to learn about the ways events are organized and advertised. We would also have to work with Public Safety to learn about provisions  created for visitors on campus. This app would probably require online access so, it’s important that the “bucknell_guests” WiFi access is always available and working effectively when visitors are on campus. To create this app, knowledge about mobile computing is necessary.

Risks and Rewards

If this is accepted and adopted by the campus community, this would be a game changer in the way social life is organized on campus. As final year students this is an opportunity to leave a legacy in a useful way. This project wouldn’t require too much financial commitment but would require time.  Also, the school may not be in support of some events posted on the app/students may be unwilling to post their events if the app is policed by the school. It’s important to find a compromise.

Closing

The company should consider investing in this app because most of the tools required for building the app are open source. It’s also a fairly uncomplicated solution with a possible large impact.

Background

This project is to create a museum exhibit that would teach children about different topics in physics in a easy/fun way. The children should be able to make a selection of what topic they’re interested in from a list of Newtonian physics, electricity, magnetism, sound waves, EM spectrum etc. This exhibit has to be designed in a way that the children are fully involved in the learning process so, the exhibit has to be interactive and should require multiple actions from the children.

Executive Summary

My proposed solution is to create an application that can run on a device with a huge screen. This application would be heavily graphically oriented with the occasional  use of sound. It would require actions from the children that can be simulated by touching, making a sound and typing. Also, there would be a system that provides rewards (e.g in form of points) to children who complete different sections.

Viability Analysis

This project would require knowledge of mobile computing which I’m currently taking a class in. We’ll also need a resident physics specialist (from the physics department) that would help understand many of these physics concepts. It would be important that the team is knowledgeable about graphics and  how to make the app aesthetically appealing to the students. We should focus on just a few set of topics for the first versions of the app so much time is not wasted on just the physics. Different iterations of the app would include more physics topics.

Risks and Rewards

This would require lots of time, learning new topics  and re-learning old topics but it’s good for the future of the world. It’s important to introduce science to children early and in an easy understandable way. This would also help the team explore a foreign sphere of implementation (physics, museum, children).

Closing

Investing in an app as a solution to this problem is viable. It is an efficient, fairly uncomplicated way to solve this problem. Most resources required to implement this are open source so, this solution would not cause any serious financial implications.