Colloquium Topics 23-24 by Maria Bolner https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e Explain what you're planning on investigating in Colloquium this year. Start by stating the field you'll be working in and identifying the problem/area of need that you'll be working towards. Then, list 2-4 research questions that you plan to explore. Finish with a description of the final product you're hoping to reach by the end of the year! en-us 2023-09-20 11:28:16 UTC 2023-11-30 12:47:13 UTC hello@padlet.com The field I will be working in is engineering. The problem I am investigating is figuring out the cleanest form of energy that can be used to power a vehicle. I will take an online course for the first half of the year and by the end of the year I hope to make a vehicle of some sort that represents the method that I find most efficient. 25simse https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2728525495 2023-10-02 13:01:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2728525495 Ionic Propulsion Engine 24bistlineh https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2730732579 I intend to explore the field of aerospace engineering and propulsion technologies. At the moment, jets and spacecraft produce insanely high quantities of pollution, and I believe an ionic propulsion system could help in reducing that.
Research Questions:
1. How does an ionic propulsion engine work, and how could one be constructed?
2. Is it feasible to utilize ionic propulsion on a conventional aircraft design?
3. If current designs can not sustain flight using ionic propulsion, what kind of design could, if any?
4. What would be the benefits and drawbacks of ionic propulsion compared to regular jet/rocket propulsion?
At the end of the year, I hope to have created a model displaying an ionic propulsion system, along with a presentation detailing the benefits of implementing ionic propulsion over conventional jet/rocket propulsion.]]> 2023-10-03 18:08:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2730732579 Market Intelligence Strategies with WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Notices 25zaleskiolivaresj https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732478030 In the upcoming year, my project will center around the meticulous creation of a comprehensive database sourced from WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices (Required by WARN Act of 1988), systematically organized by state. This database seamlessly integrates historical data with real-time updates, promising a transformative impact on corporate performance analysis and market assessment.
In the pursuit of advancing labor market analytics, several pivotal research questions arise:
  1. To what extent can predictive modeling of layoff data extracted from WARN notices offer insights into a company's future performance metrics?
  2. How does the geographic distribution of layoffs, as illuminated by state-level data, influence a corporation's market positioning and financial stability?
  3. Are there discernible patterns within WARN notices that can be harnessed for proactive risk assessment across different company locations?
  4. Can the application of data-driven risk mitigation strategies, informed by WARN data, enhance a company's resilience and adaptability in response to economic challenges?
The ultimate output of this research endeavor will be a dynamic, user-friendly database that provides invaluable insights into company performance and risk assessment. Beyond academic utility, this database can significantly contribute to market analysis, enabling businesses to make more informed decisions regarding investments, partnerships, and competitive positioning. 
]]> 2023-10-04 17:11:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732478030 Alexandra Barnes - Alzheimer's/Primary Progressive Aphasia Communication Aid App (Continued Project) https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732518876 Field:
My project falls in the computer science field, as it involves app development. I will be continuing and finishing my project from last year.

Problem: 
Individuals who suffer from Primary Progressive Aphasia struggle with vocabulary and communication loss as their disease progresses. Especially towards the end stages of these diseases, it can be a struggle for both the individual and their caretaker to communicate their basic needs and wants to each other, something that can be frustrating for all involved. Speech therapists tend to recommend that the caretaker make a book containing images of essentials in the affected individual's daily life and routine, so that they are able to point out what it is that they want when they can't find the words. These images may include things like various foods and drinks, different actions, specific locations, or people close to them. This is something that has been proven to work well for the individuals impacted by these diseases, and something I have personally seen the benefits of. This book, however, is very time consuming to create and requires a lot of materials, so for older caretakers this project can be difficult to complete. Not only this, but these books have to be made specially tailored for each person; for example, the font size and type that will work best depends on how much vision the individual has lost. All of these factors make communicating simple needs very difficult for these affected individuals. While there are some apps and resources for helping individuals try to maintain as much of their speech as they can in the early stages of the disease, nothing is widely available to help them once most of their speech and communication is gone.  

Research Questions:
1. How can I go about testing my app so that I am thorough in making sure it will be successful in helping this problem?
2. How can I publish this to a wider audience/what will the process look like? 

Product: 
I will be continuing the development of my ios app, Visual Communicare, that enables people to upload the images that would typically go into the physical communication book. It will act as a virtual format that is easier to make and operate for caretakers. I hope to add in settings that can be adjusted to fit the specific needs of the individual as their condition progresses, and to work with therapists and experts who specialize in these diseases to test my app. Ultimately, I hope to complete my app and be able to publish it to a wider audience before the end of the year.]]> 2023-10-04 17:37:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732518876 GRACE SLUSSER - Political Commentary and Student Engagement, through a Visual Novel https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732520210 The area of need my project will center around involves the lack of diverse and direct commentary within the realm of dystopian literature. Most of what we read in school is vague and unentertaining to students, despite the ideas behind the medium being very interesting at their core, so my project will make dystopian commentaries more accessible and understandable to students and will keep them more entertained through visual elements. More people seemed to be confused by books like farenheight 451 than not, ad hated the book as a result, so I will work to make a story that is very specific in its themes while still hopefully keeping the audience engaged and introspective.
 1. Which specific issues would I like to showcase in my comic, and how will I relate these modern political issues to the fictional setting? 
 2. How will the growth of the characters instill positivity in the minds of the readers and bring attention to solutions and comradery among readers?
3. How can I direct my novel towards students specifically?
In the upcoming year, I will be developing a comic that tells a fictional story alluding to modern culture and politics in America. The project will develop world-building skills with visuals and dialogue to prepare me to enter the game design field and practice my storytelling abilities. The project will start with a short story, to better organize myself and the characters, and will later be adapted into a single-issue comic/visual novel in the second marking period.]]> 2023-10-04 17:38:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732520210 Zach Lowe- Programming and Utilizing a realistic genetics system and machine learning system to simulate natural selection and other things 25lowez https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732564717 Despite the technological capabilities of artificial intelligence vastly increasing in recent years, the general understanding of it has not. I want to be capable of understanding the inner workings of self learning artificial intelligence and be able to teach others about this topic. On top of creating artificial brains using neural networks and training the AI, I will finish programming a realistic genetics system using DNA, chromosomes, alleles, etc. This helps show both natural selection and the complex relationship between the developement of advantagous traits as well as more comlpex strategies and brains. I will make this a nice and polished project.]]> 2023-10-04 18:07:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732564717 Children's Book on Economics 25helfertyj https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732564793 I am planning on creating an introductory children's book with illustrations and a consistent format utilizing Adobe Publisher. There is a big need for a book like such, as I don't remember anything like such when I was a kid, and the options online are limited and outdated. In our every changing economy, educating the youth early on is a must and a great opportunity to scale. When completed and printed, there are many opportunities to send my project to local school libraries or online publishing. I also want the theme to be with Benjamin Franklin narrating it, and his face on the 100 bill as the cover.  

Research Questions
How can we best address our every changing economy in a elementary style publication? 
What specific topics are essential to discuss? ]]> 2023-10-04 18:07:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732564793 Alex Chen - Continuation of WCASD SMOB work https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732649182 The field I'll be working in is student representation. Given the limited roles of student representatives in the WCASD school district and school board, I will continue my work from last year in expanding their roles through the use of the newly formed Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC). 

Research Questions
How can the SSAC be a medium for enhancing the responsibilities and efficacy of SR in WCASD?
How can I best achieve points 2 and 3 of the SMOB responsibilities identifier from my research last year?

Final product: N/A]]> 2023-10-04 19:06:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732649182 Chemistry and Baking 24devitom https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732702070 There are so many complex processes behind everyday activities, like baking, that no one knows about or understands. I want to make a little book or an interactive website that has different recipes and explains the science behind how each dessert is made. It will be a fun way to learn about chemistry while making delicious treats.

Research Questions:
1. How can I explain the chemistry simply without leaving out important details?
2. Which recipes will I use and how can I make each one teach something different?
3. Where will I get the images that show each step of the recipe? Online or will I take my own pictures?]]> 2023-10-04 19:49:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732702070 Nuclear Disarmament Board Game https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732789232 For my Colloquium project this year, I will be looking into the field of foreign affairs and international relations. A pervasive geopolitical issue in the modern world is nuclear weaponry, and more specifically getting rid of it. Almost everyone can agree that having the constant threat of global annihilation hanging above our heads is not an ideal way to live, but they stick around anyways. 
Research Questions:
1.) What factors prevent countries like the USA and Russia from getting rid of their nuclear stockpiles?
2.) How can the international community overcome these factors?
3.) What is the safest way to dispose of nuclear weaponry?
I plan on learning more about these topics through thorough research, building off of what I have from my English research project last year, but further down the line, I would like to make the concepts surrounding nuclear disarmament more accessible by creating a card game centered around it. I hope that the ideas will be much easier to understand through card game form than if I had only presented them through something like a slideshow.

]]> 2023-10-04 21:29:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732789232 Kevin Movie https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732792161 I intend to create a movie that that will be created by myself and others. The big problem is how I will create the movie and the different problems I will need to overcome in order to finance and produce the movie.
1. What is the plot/story of my movie?
2. How do I plan to finance and pay for production and equipment needed?
3. What techniques and creative decisions can I make to film the movie
At the end I hope to have an hour and a half long movie to show to others.]]> 2023-10-04 21:33:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732792161 Music Psychology 25cherrym https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732821223 Many people think that multitasking doesn't exist, or that listening to music while doing homework makes it harder to complete. For my project, I plan to look into if those statements are really true and explore ways in which music affects the brain positively.
Research Questions:
1. Does music positively affect focus? Attention span?
2. How does music therapy work?
3. Why do different types of music make people feel different emotions?
4. How does hearing and/or playing music alter brain structure and/or function?
I am planning for my final project to be some sort of presentation or research paper on how music positively affects the brain and how people can utilize music to improve their lives.]]> 2023-10-04 22:19:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2732821223 On the meaning of life and other useless drivel https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733059623 People say that philosophy is outdated, emo, useless, and will never make you any money. Maybe three of those things are true; however, the critical thinking involved in philosophy is a valuable resource to those looking to go into law. My goal is to delve into the idea of philosophy and explore the abstract way people think in a more pragmatic way.
  1. What is philosophy and how does it impact our actions today? (Is it even relevant?)
  2. What is the meaning of our lives?
  3. Is the act of thinking a virtue?
  4. How does the origin of philosophy relate to the hard sciences? How does philosophy relate to politics? To legal systems?
  5. How do my life experiences impact the way I think?
  6. What philosophical texts are still applicable today?
I hope to turn these questions into a series of journals that chronicle my understanding of the world. I’d like to see how that changes throughout the period of my reading and research. Maybe philosophy never works toward a real goal because “everything is subjective,” but even so, I would like to form a definitive, albeit personal, answer as to what we are even doing on Earth. Even if I end up despising this project, I think it will be an opportunity to grow in terms of writing sensitive essays and narratives.

Or:
I hope to turn my research into an online lesson for students interested in philosophy (or law or ethics). I've always been so jealous of students from IB schools that are able to take philosophy, and it would be cute to make a website. Maybe it'll be on notion!
- Sophia Fu
]]> 2023-10-05 02:07:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733059623 Evan Murray - Creative Writing/Jewelry Production https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733076198 The fields that I indent to explore with my project are creative writing and jewelry design and production. One important problem area that I hope to address in my story is poor work conditions and mistreatment of workers at different stages of the jewelry making process, namely those working in mines that collect precious materials. 
1. How prevalent is mistreatment in modern mines across the world and to what degree?
2. How viable are alternatives to naturally mined materials like synthetic jewels?
3. How can fiction be used to convey important messages about the real world and spur change?
I hope that by the end of the year, I am able to produce and original work of fiction in the form of a short story/novella. This story will use certain characters and plot points to highlight and draw attention to poor treatment of people in different stages of the jewelry-making business. Additionally, time permitting, I'd like to try and explore and develop my artistic abilities by creating illustrations that would accompany the story. ]]> 2023-10-05 02:18:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733076198 Neuroscience/Mental Health 25cooperj2 https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733094595 The fields that I intend to work within are neuroscience and mental health. I hope to investigate the physical causes of different mental health disorders to understand how mental health issues can be impacted by defects or abnormalities within the brains. Additionally, I could explore how certain treatments and medications impact the brain to help eliminate mental health issues.  Lastly, I'm hoping to be able to address racial disparities in neuroscience research and talk about how it is harmful to focus research of the brain on one particular race. Because these three topics are all pretty vast, in the next few weeks I'm hoping to narrow down my ideas.
1. What mental health disorders have neurological research to explain them?
2. What positive and negative effects does (specific mental health disorder) medication have on the brain?
3. How can we address systematic racism within the neurological field? 
For a final project, I'd like to complete a research paper that I could get published or host a fundraiser whose funds could go towards mental health charities. ]]> 2023-10-05 02:30:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733094595 Water outreach- Cole Aubart https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733118611 I plan to work in the field of engineering and particularly look at the problem of the lack of water in certain areas of the world. I hope to look at the problem from a variety of perspectives to really investigate what causes this issue and what solution can be found and implemented in the future. Some research questions I would like to address are:
1) How can water be produced more efficiently or with the resources in a specific area that needs water?
2) What geographic, political, or economic limitations are there in providing water to others?
3) What are the current solutions proposed to this problem and how can they be improved?
By the end of the year I hope to produce a product or idea that could produce water for these less fortunate areas or provide a presentation on the current limitations of our water supply and how these limitations can be lessened or eradicated. ]]> 2023-10-05 02:48:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733118611 Physical Effects of Music https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733770279 Questions I'd like to answer:
 - How does music affect humans physically (in positive/negative ways, as a stressor/relaxant, etc)
 - How do different frequencies, rhythms, or motifs in music affect our heart rate, breathing, etc.
focus on the science behind music - sound waves, effect of timing, how are different elements processed
 - How do the emotions we feel while listening to music correlate to the physical changes that we observe?

Bigger Context:
 - can we use music to manipulate ourselves to feel calmer, more alert, sleepy, etc.
 - How can this play a role in music therapy?
 - Can/how can music be used to aid physical treatments?

Planned processes:
 - find relevant data from existing studies/papers and run my own correlation analysis
 - connect data from existing studies to try to put it into a larger context
 - final product: written paper/report


Sneha Mahadevan]]> 2023-10-05 11:42:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733770279 Death, taxes, and more taxes 24duggann https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733808014
The field of interest that I will be working in is finance. The problem I will attempt to solve is teens entering the adult world unable to do their taxes, often not even knowing how they work. I will solve this problem by creating an easy-to-follow, step-by-step explanation of how to do your taxes. I will supplement the explanation with information on why taxes exist, who exactly you are paying, and what exactly your money is going towards.

Research Questions:
1. What are the differences between state taxes and federal taxes?
2. What are tax brackets and how do they work?
3. How do taxes on a part-time/hourly job differ from those of a salaried position?
4. What is the easiest way for a teen to understand taxes?]]> 2023-10-05 12:11:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2733808014 Fidelis Lan - Nurturing Artistic Passion Through Creation and Collection of Hobbyist Art Pieces https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2734819788 I will be working in the field of creative arts and writing. A pervasive problem in modern art is the lack of support and esteem for artists; the archetype of the starving artist is often accepted as an inevitability, and those with creative aspirations are often told that their passions have no value unless they are profitable. Elitism often factors into these attitudes, as art is often considered meaningless unless the artist is extremely talented, and artists are expected not to ask for proper payment or compensation to sustain themselves. I want to create art that, while amateur and easily reproduced by others, still accentuates the value of creativity for its own sake, and not for profit or fame, in the hopes of inspiring others to acknowledge their own artistic passions.
Questions:
1. Why is creativity undervalued unless it is at a prodigial level? When people describe themselves as "not creative," are they downplaying their ability because it isn't world-class?
2. How can publicity and awareness translate into more support for full-time artists? How will they help hobbyist artists who may not have the time or resources to dedicate to their works?
My final product will take the form of an anthology of different types of art, ranging from short stories and poems to pencil sketches, paintings, and collages. I expect to create most of the art myself, though I will incorporate others' art if they want me to. ]]> 2023-10-06 01:52:06 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2734819788 Ojas Mishra - Useful Engineering Project https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2738230795 I intend to explore the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering to create a product that will be of use to humanity, specifically students if possible. I hope to improve an existing design of a product that is used widely. 
1. What are some products that can be improved in some way to make them easier to use/more useful?
2. How can I find a solution to the problem in the product that I wish to improve?
3. How will this innovation improve the lives of others?
By the end, I hope to at least have a working prototype of the product ready, as well as lots of research and a paper to back my designs and innovations.]]> 2023-10-09 14:05:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2738230795 Ben Gao- National Economics Competition https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2741680141 I intend to explore my interest in economics by competing in the National Economics Challenge and taking online courses to further my knowledge. 
1. What specific topics are essential to learn about?
2. How can I communicate my findings to increase online resources for the competition?
3. How current events affect the economic state of the world?
4. How can I use a variety of resources to facilitate my learning?
For a final project, I'd like to create an in-depth guide to the competition with a lot of resources for future students.]]> 2023-10-11 11:58:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2741680141 The Future of Medical Technology with increasing AI, VR, ML, and Robotics developments for people with disabilities 24tirumamidil https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2744216972 Field: Biomedical engineering, concentration in medical technology. Specifically including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Machine Learning (ML), and Robotics Engineering. 

Problem/Area of Need: I would be working towards the research and engineering design of medical technology to help persons with disabilities and maintain accessibility. 

Research Questions:
1. What do existing or in progress technological solutions look like for people with disabilities?
2. In which areas is there a need for new medical technology necessary?
3. How can the implementation of such technologies affect the future of medical technology in all aspects, including the economy, general population, and employment?
4. What other concentrations of bioengineering, not including medical technology, are affected by the technological advancements in society today?

Final Product: Compile research on current, in progress, and futuristic medical devices to bridge this gap. Develop proposals and high-level products to solve 3 identified areas of need. 

]]> 2023-10-12 20:46:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mbolner/ndd3agnlnncg698e/wish/2744216972