Student projects

Nestled in the Pinaleno Mountains, also known as Mount Graham in Southeast Arizona, USA, lives the ‘endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis), a unique subspecies of the North American Red Squirrel. These squirrels thrive in mixed-conifer forests, where dense woods and rich understories provide vital food and shelter. However, their survival is critically threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-induced pressures.

Driven by a passion for sustainability and climate change, our team was determined to find a solution to this pressing environmental issue.

Meeting your role models, chatting with experts, shaking hands with leading figures in your field -- all these remarkable opportunities have the potential to make a huge difference in someone's career trajectory and renew their excitement for their goals. But traditional learning environments are limited in how they can bring these experiences to learners. Funding, travel, scheduling, and other logistics are all major barriers.

So how can we motivate students and inspire confidence, helping transform "I can't do this" to "I can and I will"? Perhaps an innovative intersection of Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could make this dream a reality.

It's no mystery that universities are constantly striving to create a nurturing environment where every student can thrive. Even so, the transition is hard on students: new academic expectations, new people to meet, and potentially being on their own for the first time in their lives.

Our team wants to uplift spirits and cultivate a positive self-image among first-year students, providing a sanctuary of reassurance and empowerment that's so often sought after in a brand-new college environment. We had confidence that, if we could instill belief in their capabilities and worth, we could help other students unlock their full potential, conquer obstacles, and embrace their unique journey with newfound courage and confidence.

Immigration policy has a huge impact on international students trying to obtain work visas in the US, such as pursuing post-graduation employment. At the same time, broader discussions are occurring around immigration reform, including debates on visa regulations, employment eligibility, and pathways to citizenship. With all these dynamics at play, it's crucial to implement policy that balances national security concerns with the economic and cultural contributions of international students. Our team understood that addressing these challenges requires different approaches that prioritize both immigration control and keeping talent and merit in the US workforce.

As part of an urbanizing world, we are experiencing growth and development at an unprecedented rate within our cities. But, look around: see the tall, glass skyscraper at the heart of any metropolitan city and ask yourself, “Do these buildings have any life in them?” Well, the answer for our team was a definitive "No." This phenomenon, also known as Monotonous Urban Landscaping, describes how repetitive architecture, boring colors, and lack of culture can drain our built environments of liveliness and character. As we move towards increasing urbanization, it is vital that our built environments showcase our rich history and stimulate the mind. That’s why we’re making it possible for urban residents to get involved in shaping their own communities.

Our oceans are faced with staggering amounts of debris. The pollution is inescapable, littering everywhere from the sea's surface to the ocean floor. It threatens marine life and disrupts the equilibrium of our ecosystem. A number of issues, like poor trash management and continued pollution -- from both land and sea -- worsen the situation. Our team is pushing to restore the health and vitality of our oceans, and to inspire others to do our part in securing our global future.

In an age where technology intertwines with daily life, our older adults face unprecedented challenges, particularly from scam calls that prey on their trust and potential lack of tech-savviness. These fraudulent calls threaten their not only their financial security but also their peace of mind.

In today’s world, lakes and rivers can be polluted with trash, affecting us both recreationally and ecologically. Not only does surface trash in lakes and rivers impact its image, but it also leads to larger problems, such as poisoning the water when it sinks and breaks down into microplastics. This can lead to biomagnification, creating safety hazards for wildlife (and humans), and can create run-off into the ocean, where it is much more difficult to clean.

Many undergraduates enter college without clear goals and plans. As a result, some students might enroll in irrelevant courses and pursue degrees that don't align with their future careers. The feeling of uncertainty can take a toll, academically and beyond. With the hopes of helping students find their path, our team began to think about ways we could support students in their career goals -- especially if it means figuring out what that goal is.