{"id":1588,"date":"2020-10-30T16:15:01","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T16:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kidsengineer.com\/?p=1588"},"modified":"2020-10-31T09:22:24","modified_gmt":"2020-10-31T09:22:24","slug":"pioneer-computer-science-students-design-apps-that-could-combat-pandemic-aspects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kidsengineer.com\/?p=1588","title":{"rendered":"Pioneer computer science students design apps that could combat pandemic aspects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

https:\/\/www.recorder.com\/Pioneer-computer-science-students-design-apps-that-could-combat-real-world-pandemic-aspects-37000584<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By ZACK DeLUCA<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff WriterPublished: 10\/29\/2020 4:43:18 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NORTHFIELD \u2014 Students in Pioneer Valley Regional School\u2019s computer science program have spent the last two months developing apps that could be applied to real-world aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Innovation Center teacher Dr. John Heffernan, a former engineer and computer scientist, said he is impressed by how each student designed an app that reflected their own concerns and interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted students to be empowered to create solutions to a pressing real-world problem,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is our end goal ultimately, so why not start now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the new computer science curriculum, called Computer Science Discoveries from code.org, students study key concepts of problem scoping, input, output, processing and storage. Seventh-graders who have a year-long computer science and engineering course, and a subset of eighth-graders who have a shorter rotation of computer science, all developed app concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first unit, Heffernan said it was important to clearly communicate the concepts and objective of each app, as well as create an icon and portray the app layout. Students who continue into the second computer science unit will  learn more about website design and app programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are excited to see our Innovation Center continue to expand, providing students the opportunities to use today\u2019s technology to find solutions to present-day problems,\u201d  Pioneer Principal Kevin Burke said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenting virtually Wednesday, seventh-grader Lauryn Kalinowski explained that her app concept, \u201cCustom Made Masks,\u201d is for all ages and helps those who trust that masks are an effective way to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The idea to create a sales outlet for masks was inspired by the work she has already been doing to combat the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI make masks with my mom a lot at home,\u201d Lauryn explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said the inputs \u2014 information a user gives to the computer or app \u2014 would include their name, shipping and payment information, and mask fabric choices. The outputs \u2014 information provided to the user by the app \u2014 would include the cost of the mask and images of the possible mask designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellow seventh-grader Bryanna May\u2019s app \u201cThe Refiller\u201d is meant for all audiences, and informs the user of retail locations with sanitization products in stock. Going to stores that may not have items can increase a person\u2019s risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Refiller app is designed to solve this problem by informing you when a product that you need is in stock so you get in and out of the store without as much exposure or risk,\u201d Bryanna said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Users would input a list of needed supplies, connect to their phone\u2019s GPS and add their mode of transportation, whether it be a personal vehicle or public bus. The Refiller app would then tell them stores stocked with these supplies, compare prices and list closest locations and transportation options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eighth-grader Sarah LaRocque said she enjoyed \u201cfeeling involved in real-world\u201d solutions by working on her project. Sarah, who plays soccer, basketball and softball, said it felt discouraging to be unable to play sports during the pandemic, and noted that physical activity is linked to mental health. So, she created \u201cMove With Your Mood,\u201d an app that targets people of all ages who may be struggling to maintain a positive mindset or motivate themselves to be active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Move With Your Mood has users input their age, current emotional state, location and access to exercise equipment. Processing this information, the app will suggest activities based on the inputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you were feeling depressed, you might not have the motivation or you wouldn\u2019t be in the correct mindset to go on a run,\u201d Sarah said, \u201cbut you might do yoga or meditate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eighth-graders Rachel Wood and Jerad Goulston both designed apps that would use a quiz to collect users\u2019 input information. Jerad\u2019s \u201cSocial Distant Activity Generator,\u201d or SDAG, is designed to help eliminate stress by providing enjoyable and safe, socially distanced activities. All activities are suggested at the start of the quiz and as users input their answers, the suggestions are narrowed down to a few activities. Suggestions may include fishing, having a picnic or going for a hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rachel\u2019s \u201cCoronavirus Prevention App\u201d asks users questions related to COVID-19 health safety, such as \u201cHow many days should you quarantine if you go out of town?\u201d or \u201cHow much distance should you keep between yourself and others?\u201d If a user answers incorrectly, the app provides the correct answer to further the user\u2019s knowledge of COVID-19 safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the computer science project to create an app, high school robotics students used the LEGO Education EV3 robot and EV3 motor sensors for their own COVID-19-related projects. Heffernan explained some of the robotics are meant to mimic a wearable device that can act as a warning system when people come within safe social distancing limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.recorder.com\/Pioneer-computer-science-students-design-apps-that-could-combat-real-world-pandemic-aspects-37000584 By ZACK DeLUCA Staff WriterPublished: 10\/29\/2020 4:43:18 PM NORTHFIELD \u2014 Students in Pioneer Valley Regional School\u2019s computer science program have spent the last two months developing apps that could be applied to real-world aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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