|
DrivecoDrive away your carbon footprint.
|
|
|
DrivecoDrive away your carbon footprint.
|
|
The data we took was collected by a survey that was sent to Windward students and faculty. First and foremost, it clearly showed that respondents were very concerned about the effects of climate change, with almost ¾ naming it “very much a pressing issue”, with an additional fifth naming it “sort of a pressing issue”. This showed that we had known that the work we strived to do was based in a problem that was genuine and viewed in such a way as well. In addition to that, almost ⅗ of respondents said that an app that would require minimal contribution to climate-related organizations would possibly suit their family, with over ⅕ of respondents guaranteeing this. This was one of the main features of the app, and the positive response to this was quite reassuring! Lastly, about ⅖ of respondents would possibly use an app requiring users to enter miles driven in a given period of time, in order to calculate their carbon footprint. While, this is less than the respondents in this category in the 2nd question, almost 35% of respondents guaranteed that they would do so, much higher than the respondents in this category in the 2nd question. Originally, before we finalized the survey, we included a check-all-that-apply question which asked respondents to select the most reasonable features of the app. However, our science teacher, Kevin, and the members of our group found this to be confusing, and strange, so it was removed. In addition to that, the data could not be as perfect as we had hoped. The app is not meant to affect strictly the Windward community- it is meant to affect any potential users at all. However, we cannot send this survey to random citizens, and the data would have likely been different had it been sent to a more accurate representation of potential users. The data above has demonstrated that the features, goals, and basis for DrivEco’s work were viewed in very high regard by Windward Students and faculty, which shows that the project had a great impact on the school and its values.
During the week, DrivEco members Nicole Wizman and Zack Weitman had been assigned to make the poster for the CBL Forum. Nicole wrote the information, with the feedback from Riley, and Zack had organized the visuals and layout of the poster. Also prior to the event, Eli had found a way to create the Carbon Calculator! As told below, we had previously thought this would be impossible in so little time. However, Eli, the genius that he is, was able to make it, all in approximately 40 minutes! This made sure that the app we presented on Friday was the best it could be. When Friday’s Lunchtime rolled around, and the Forum commenced, we presented our information, with Zack and Nicole discussing the problem and solution, Riley discussing the data and statistics from our survey, and Eli discussing the making of the app. Several visitors downloaded the app onto their phones through the QR code, or the link was sent to them through email. By the time that science teachers Geraldine Loveless and Kevin Kloeker began their speeches at the end, the time had flew by- it seemed impossible that that had been 35 minutes- it felt as if it was ten! Overall, we had a splendid time creating the app, and presenting our work. We would like to thank Kevin for his wonderful guidance and teachings through this process and the entire school year. Thank you for reading these posts, and remember, you can drive away your carbon footprint! We’ve now activated the QR code that will allow people to use the app! They can scan it, then open a web page, then copy it to a Web Browser, and then save it to their home screen, where it will function as an app. The carbon calculator is not functionable, but users can see the table to find their donation amounts. They can take the survey about their driving habits, read about how the app works. They can view five suggested donation sites (the number was chosen to not underwhelm or overwhelm users). A list of environmentally friendly cars approved by Driveco is also available. 5 frequently asked questions are asked, and a link to this blog is available. The code will be available for download at the upcoming Forum event. We are very pleased with this new success and we are excited to make it available to anyone who desires it. Before you know it, users will be able Drive Away Their Carbon Footprin
We’ve progressed greatly since our last post. We’ve developed almost almost all of the eight features of our app, and as of now, (11:52 AM, Friday, May 4, 2017) we are adding the several suggested donation websites. We have created “How It Works”, (about the app’s procedures) “About”, (about the creators) “Survey”, (to learn about our user’s habits) “ Table”, (for users to see the calculations we use) “Donation Sites”, (suggested websites for donations) “Blog Link”, (a link to this blog), “FAQ”, (frequently asked questions) and “Recommended Cars (the cars we recommend for the users who want to go the extra mile)” sections. We have not been able to acquire the use of imagery for some of our selected charities, but we have found imagery online that will do. We have learned that at the Forum, visitors will be able to scan a code to access the app on their phone to use as long as they please. These charities include “Terrapass”, “The Nature Conservancy”, “One Tree Planted” and “The Carbon Fund”. Very soon it will be available for consumer use. How splendid!
Upon deciding our solution, we began using the program named “App Shed” to assist us in creating a wooden desk. We’re kidding, of course, the program assists in creating an app! We’ve decided what sections of the app will exist- About; Survey; FAQ; Learn More; Calculator; and Suggested Organizations. We’ve created the About page and the Survey. We’ve also contacted many fantastic organizations like the National Resource Defense Council and Greenpeace to request use of their imagery as a suggestion for the user’s donation. They have not replied, but Director of Technology Jim Bologna has informed us that we can suggest their website without their permission as long as we don't use their imagery. Jim has also told us that it likely won’t make it to the App Store due to the bureaucratic delay. We’ve also spent a great deal of time on improving the design of this website- what do you think?
We selected Climate Action as the most pressing issue of our time, because, if we don’t have a temperate planet to live on, simply put, we won’t have a planet to live on! Since then, we’ve researched the greatest contributors to this problem tirelessly. We’ve identified carbon emissions from automobiles as a key contributing factor for the change in climate. After debating solutions from contacting government to improve public transit and more, we’ve reached our destination in the best possible one: Driveco. This app would allow the user to enter their daily driving commutes. It would combine the miles in this drive with the type of vehicle to determine how much carbon was emitted. From there, it would suggest an amount of money to donate to a charity that would offset the carbon emissions. The solution has had many dissimilar versions of itself, all of which have been rejected by ourselves: one that suggests an amount of miles to drive in public transportation or walking (too much like Google maps), one that suggests products to purchase (not enough products to purchase; would become useless soon) and one that simply summons us, the group, to plant trees instead of organization's (way too much labor for us!). Jim Bologna, the Director of Technology at the Windward School, has been informing us as to what is and what is not possible to create in three weeks, so we’ve decided that a GPS system that would calculate miles driven on its own would be impossible, as well as direct charity donations through the app. His feedback has insured that we do not become overly ambitious in our goals for this project, and our final product is both successful and reasonable. This is why the current version is the most viable, original and sustainable solution possible .
|
|