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What computer science passion project should I do?
I am a junior in high school and want to do a passion project. I am interested in computer science and business as a career and my hobbies include reading, art/crafts, and crocheting (I'm still a beginner so I'm not that good at it + I've been taking a break because of school). What kind of passion projects should I do that will use these skills and look good on college applications? If they don't include my hobbies that's also okay but I want it to be related to mainly computer science.
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David’s Answer
Hey, the main way to maximize value on a project like this isn't so much what topic you choose to do it on (pick whatever you're most passionate about!) but rather if you actually go ahead and publish it. Highly recommend taking the extra step to publish a website you make (Vercel makes this insanely easy just by connecting to your Github repo and you can buy a cheap domain name to make it really official) or publishing an app to the App Store.
By having a live website/app it makes the work count for so much more - exponentially more if you then take it a step further and do a little marketing to get some users and then can list it on your resume as having cofounded that startup on the side.
By having a live website/app it makes the work count for so much more - exponentially more if you then take it a step further and do a little marketing to get some users and then can list it on your resume as having cofounded that startup on the side.
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Eddy’s Answer
If you want to focus purely on computer science, a great passion project could involve developing a productivity or organizational tool for students. For instance, you could create a web or mobile app that helps students manage their schedules, track assignments, or plan group projects more efficiently. To stand out, you could incorporate features like an AI assistant for personalized study tips, visual data analytics to track progress, or a collaborative workspace for group tasks. This project would highlight your programming skills, ability to solve real-world problems, and understanding of user experience—all while appealing to both computer science and business interests. Additionally, you could make it open-source, allowing others to contribute and showcasing your teamwork and leadership skills, which would look excellent on college applications.
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James Patterson’s Answer
Passion projects are a fantastic way to nurture your creativity, enhance your skills, foster personal growth, and achieve a sense of fulfillment. As a junior, you're already juggling a full academic load, so it's wise to choose a passion project that complements your studies and interests.
Taking into account previous suggestions, I propose you develop a crocheting tutorial app using platforms like ChatGPT and Canvas. This app could offer interactive guides, engaging videos, and vivid animations demonstrating crochet techniques for novices. You could also incorporate elements of gamification, such as rewarding achievements upon the completion of tutorials. As a budding business enthusiast, you can even monetize the app by selling crochet patterns that can help beginners like yourself to hone their skills. Not only will this app serve as a learning tool for users, but it will also provide you with a valuable opportunity to refine your programming skills.
Some may caution against using a ChatGPT/Canvas platform for beginners, citing valid concerns. As an educator and former developer, I believe it's important to strike a balance. While it's not ideal for a high school junior to stay up till 2:00 am debugging a passion project (a common scenario for novice computer scientists), it's also crucial to stay abreast of emerging trends. AI-assisted development is fast becoming the standard, and this project could offer you a sneak peek into the future. It's a chance to learn how AI can amplify a developer's capabilities, while also understanding that it can't fully replace the expertise of a skilled developer or UX/UI engineer.
Taking into account previous suggestions, I propose you develop a crocheting tutorial app using platforms like ChatGPT and Canvas. This app could offer interactive guides, engaging videos, and vivid animations demonstrating crochet techniques for novices. You could also incorporate elements of gamification, such as rewarding achievements upon the completion of tutorials. As a budding business enthusiast, you can even monetize the app by selling crochet patterns that can help beginners like yourself to hone their skills. Not only will this app serve as a learning tool for users, but it will also provide you with a valuable opportunity to refine your programming skills.
Some may caution against using a ChatGPT/Canvas platform for beginners, citing valid concerns. As an educator and former developer, I believe it's important to strike a balance. While it's not ideal for a high school junior to stay up till 2:00 am debugging a passion project (a common scenario for novice computer scientists), it's also crucial to stay abreast of emerging trends. AI-assisted development is fast becoming the standard, and this project could offer you a sneak peek into the future. It's a chance to learn how AI can amplify a developer's capabilities, while also understanding that it can't fully replace the expertise of a skilled developer or UX/UI engineer.
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Angel’s Answer
A great passion project could be creating a website or app that combines your interest in computer science and business. You could design an online marketplace for handmade crafts or crocheted items, allowing people to sell their creations. This project would showcase your coding, UX/UI design, and entrepreneurial skills. Alternatively, you could develop a tool to help small businesses manage their inventory or sales, which ties in your business interest. It would be a valuable addition to your portfolio, demonstrating technical and problem-solving abilities.
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Teklemuz’s Answer
First of all, you should identify your passion project and pursue technical skills, learn programming languages, do personal projects, participate in workshops, and practical experience. Choose Passion project ideas wisely that align with your goals. Based on your interest here are some project ideas that you may be interested in:
Crochet Learning App/Website: Create an interactive platform to help beginners learn crochet, with tutorials, patterns, and a community.
Skills: Web/mobile development, UI/UX design.
Business: Monetize through premium features or selling supplies.
E-Commerce for Niche Hobbies: Build an e-commerce site for crafting or niche markets (like crochet).
Skills: Full-stack web development, business strategy.
Business: Sell products or offer personalized services.
Personal Finance App for Teens: Develop an app to help high schoolers manage budgets and savings.
Skills: Mobile development, data analysis.
Business: Monetize through ads or premium features.
Crochet Chatbot: Build a chatbot that guides users through crochet tips and patterns.
Skills: Chatbot development, NLP.
Business: Integrate with e-commerce or offer paid premium content.
Tech Blog/YouTube Channel: Create content about computer science, business, or tech, and monetize it.
Skills: Content creation, web development, video editing.
Business: Monetize through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.
Website for Local Artists: Design websites for local artists or small businesses, focusing on online presence.
Skills: Web development, client management.
Business: Charge for website services or add e-commerce features.
Inventory System for Small Businesses: Build an app to manage inventory for local craftspeople or small businesses.
Skills: Software development, database management.
Business: Offer as a service with a subscription model.
Interactive Art Gallery Website: Create a platform for digital or physical art, with interactive features.
Skills: Web development, 3D graphics.
Business: Sell artwork or offer features like paid exhibitions
Crochet Learning App/Website: Create an interactive platform to help beginners learn crochet, with tutorials, patterns, and a community.
Skills: Web/mobile development, UI/UX design.
Business: Monetize through premium features or selling supplies.
E-Commerce for Niche Hobbies: Build an e-commerce site for crafting or niche markets (like crochet).
Skills: Full-stack web development, business strategy.
Business: Sell products or offer personalized services.
Personal Finance App for Teens: Develop an app to help high schoolers manage budgets and savings.
Skills: Mobile development, data analysis.
Business: Monetize through ads or premium features.
Crochet Chatbot: Build a chatbot that guides users through crochet tips and patterns.
Skills: Chatbot development, NLP.
Business: Integrate with e-commerce or offer paid premium content.
Tech Blog/YouTube Channel: Create content about computer science, business, or tech, and monetize it.
Skills: Content creation, web development, video editing.
Business: Monetize through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.
Website for Local Artists: Design websites for local artists or small businesses, focusing on online presence.
Skills: Web development, client management.
Business: Charge for website services or add e-commerce features.
Inventory System for Small Businesses: Build an app to manage inventory for local craftspeople or small businesses.
Skills: Software development, database management.
Business: Offer as a service with a subscription model.
Interactive Art Gallery Website: Create a platform for digital or physical art, with interactive features.
Skills: Web development, 3D graphics.
Business: Sell artwork or offer features like paid exhibitions
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Vinay’s Answer
The beauty of computers and, by extension, computer science, is their universal application. They're used in every field imaginable. Your passion project can be a platform to apply computer science in a specific industry that you're passionate about.
When choosing a passion project, let your interests guide you. Your enthusiasm will be the fuel that drives your problem-solving abilities in your chosen field. Reflect on any personal challenges you've faced that could've been eased with an app or a solution. This could be the perfect starting point for your project.
Here's an example to inspire you, based on your interests:
1. Reading - Every dedicated reader could use a tool to manage their notes. There's a wealth of note-taking methods out there, and you can discover them through blogs, videos, and more. For instance, you could learn to use the Zettelkasten method to take notes and link them together, enabling you to perform intricate analyses on any topic you're reading about. This could range from a straightforward note-taking program to a sophisticated AI-powered analysis tool!
Pick an area of passion and a problem within it that you've personally encountered or wanted to solve.
When choosing a passion project, let your interests guide you. Your enthusiasm will be the fuel that drives your problem-solving abilities in your chosen field. Reflect on any personal challenges you've faced that could've been eased with an app or a solution. This could be the perfect starting point for your project.
Here's an example to inspire you, based on your interests:
1. Reading - Every dedicated reader could use a tool to manage their notes. There's a wealth of note-taking methods out there, and you can discover them through blogs, videos, and more. For instance, you could learn to use the Zettelkasten method to take notes and link them together, enabling you to perform intricate analyses on any topic you're reading about. This could range from a straightforward note-taking program to a sophisticated AI-powered analysis tool!
Vinay recommends the following next steps: