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I am in 11th grade. I want to create a passion project with my academic and personal interest i.e Computer Science and local impact. I have a river(not clean) and also a oldage home nearby. Any tips and ideas?

I am in the junior year and do not have really great ideas that will clearly make a difference.

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Amit’s Answer

Hi Janhavi, That’s a great initiative! Here are a few project ideas that combine your interest in Computer Science with making a local impact:

River Monitoring System:
You could develop a system to monitor the pollution levels in the river. This could involve designing and building sensors to measure various parameters (like pH level, temperature, turbidity, etc.), and then using a microcontroller (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi) to collect this data and send it to a computer. You could then write software to analyze this data, identify trends, and even predict future pollution levels. This could help in taking timely action to clean the river.

Digital Platform for Old Age Home:
You could create a website or an app for the old age home. This platform could serve multiple purposes like:
Providing information about the facilities available at the home, the daily schedule, etc.
Enabling residents to request services or report issues.
Allowing people to donate or volunteer.
Sharing success stories to inspire others.

Connecting Generations:
You could develop a program that helps the elderly at the old age home learn basic computer skills, or even coding! This could be a great way for them to stay mentally active and engaged, and it could also give them a sense of accomplishment. You could develop a simple, user-friendly interface for them to learn from, and perhaps even gamify the learning process to make it more fun!

Remember, the best projects are those that you are passionate about. So choose a project that you find interesting and meaningful. Good luck! 😊
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it. Janhavi
Thank you comment icon you're welcome :) You can also follow/connect with me over Linkedin @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-mittal-1730a867/. Amit Mittal
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Sachin’s Answer

Excellent question and many possibilities. Simplest thing to do could be following

Research about the pollution sources in river. This is important before you start reacting to solution.

Community Awareness and Education:
- Your website skill can be handy, you can also start with asking question about this river specific in various online forums. Mention the river name and location and your concern and people may suggest more amazing things to improve it.
- Raise awareness among local communities about the impact of pollution on this river.
- Educate people about responsible waste disposal practices and the importance of keeping river clean.

Government Support:
- Seek support from government agencies for funding and resources to implement cleanup and restoration projects. This may sound crazy in some countries however asking question to government responsible does not hurt. It also raises awareness and gets attention of active politician for local agenda.
- Advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations at the local and national levels.
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Jerome’s Answer

There are likely non-profits in your area that support both of the ideas you listed. If you reach out and let them know your goals, they may be able to provide resources to help with your goal.

The local govt will sometimes sponsor clean-up days. Reaching out and letting them know you’d like to help guide a River clean up will likely also get support!

Love that you are looking at ways to make a positive impact in the world around you.
Thank you comment icon Jerome, thank you! Janhavi
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James’s Answer

At your stage of growth, passion project ideas are great as a long term goal, but I would be careful about getting too ambitious too quickly. I'd suggest putting ambitious goals on the shelf for the time being and focusing on building skills and knowledge in the kinds of projects you're interested in. If you're gravitating toward web sites, look into web development technologies. If you are more interested in data processing, look into programming languages, patterns, techniques. There is no wrong answer especially when you are this early on your path. You just have to keep your curiosity, patience, and passion and you'll be able to do anything.
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Verna’s Answer

An idea - If possible, get volunteers to help clean up the river site and consider a summer camp teaching basic computer skills on the site. You would have to ensure you have the utilities to support the electrical and WIFI requirements. As a nonprofit, you would be eligible for grants to help build the site.
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Patrick’s Answer

Janhavi, I want to first thank you for reaching out and asking your questions regarding your passion for making a difference in your community as well as seek a computer science degree. Janhavi your desire to create a passion project that combines your academic interest in computer science with making a positive impact in your local community is both admirable and achievable. I hope the information that I have below provides you some insight and/or help.

Considering the nearby river and old age home, there are numerous opportunities for you to apply your computer science skills to address local challenges. One idea could be to create a mobile app or website focused on promoting river cleanliness and environmental conservation. This platform could offer real-time pollution tracking, coordinate volunteer clean-up events, and provide educational resources.

Moreover, you could look into developing software that improves communication and connectivity for the elderly residents, fostering a sense of community and support. Collaborating with local environmental groups or care facilities could offer valuable insights and potential partnerships.

Lastly, I want to emphasize that your computer science skills can significantly contribute to your community, while also enhancing your experience in project development. I urge you to pursue this initiative, as it not only aligns with your academic goals but also demonstrates the positive influence technology can have on your local environment and its residents.
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Sean’s Answer

Lots of great answers here, but you could look at the old age home from a different perspective.

I imagine a large amount of the residents have a wealth of life experience. You could set up a mini Career Village, let residents sign up to provide mentoring in their area of expertise and pair them up to young people looking for mentorship.
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Melanie’s Answer

Janhavi, this is a great initiative!!

I personally am a big advocate bridging the gap between generations so kudos to you for wanting to make a difference in that area!!

A lot of senior people are reaching out to local organizations such as Council on Aging, local AARP or Libraries where classes, or computer workshops are provided.
A couple of ideas that I personally still have in mind for my community:

- Creation of a High School club that would provide Phone, Tablet and Computer assistance. The club would allow students to also count their time spent in assisting elders towards their Community Service Hours requirement
- Students providing free classes at the library for "young seniors" who recently retired but are looking to keep some professional activities and need to be kept up to date on technology including use of devices and software.
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Anthony’s Answer

Hello Janhavi,

What a fantastic era we're living in, where your passion for Computer Science can be harnessed to make a positive difference in the world!

One of the first steps I'd suggest is to explore the initiatives already happening around you. You might want to connect with individuals who have made significant strides in areas you're interested in, such as cleaning our waterways. Remember, you don't need to start from zero. Learning from others can speed up your progress and multiply your impact.

Another perspective I'd like to share is that making a difference doesn't always require grand changes or the creation of new platforms. Often, it's about enhancing and spreading what's already been accomplished. For instance, consider the impact you could make by assisting the elderly with their technology needs. Whether it's teaching them or helping them troubleshoot technical issues, your efforts could have a profound effect on an individual level. Plus, it's a great way to hone your consulting and communication skills.

Good luck with your project!

Wishing you all the best with your project!
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Robert’s Answer

Local businesses may offer minor sponsorship for a few sensors and such. It's incredible what can be achieved with an Arduino and a few IOT sensors. Begin with small steps and think big!
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Lucía’s Answer

You're on the path to an exciting venture, aren't you? From what I gather, you're looking to embark on an eco-friendly project, perhaps focused on river clean-up? If that's the case, there are many innovative ways to approach this.

One popular method involves using fishing nets to collect floating garbage from rivers, guided by navigation devices with proximity sensors. If you're already familiar with coding in languages like C++ or Java, you can easily program a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino to steer an electrically-powered, buoyant device to do the job. Don't worry if you're new to this; there's a wealth of YouTube tutorials available to guide you through the process, whether you're using pcboards or building your prototype with basic components like protoboards, logical gates, and transistors.

To speed up the process, why not rally a team of volunteers? Reach out to coding clubs at schools, universities, or even IT departments at companies. They might be eager to lend a hand.

You could also pitch your project at "startup weekend" bootcamps. These events often attract skilled developers who are more than willing to help code a minimum viable product (MVP) over a weekend.

There's a world of possibilities out there for you. Go for it, and best of luck!
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