Inspiration: Our initial idea stemmed from a genuine concern for student safety during nights out. We aimed to develop a safety tool that would not only assist students in monitoring their alcohol consumption but also make it enjoyable and engaging. This idea acted as a catalyst for a flurry of creative brainstorming sessions. Inspired by existing games like 'Finch: Self Care Pet,' which promote mental and personal health through caring for a virtual animal, we envisioned creating a similar app.
Functionality: Flourish is a versatile platform where users can log in, earn points for self-care activities, connect with friends, and nurture their personal gardens. It offers different thematic "modes," each presenting users with unique tasks to complete and earn points. For instance, the "Academics" theme includes tasks like "Study for your exam," while the "Night Out" theme prompts users to "Check in on your friends, how much have they drank?" Users accumulate points for completing tasks, which can then be redeemed in the Shop for new plants to adorn their gardens. Additionally, Flourish features a group function, allowing users to team up with friends to track their progress and provide support.
Development Process: We developed the website using JavaScript (React) and CSS, leveraging GitHub for version control and collaboration. Despite facing challenges with learning new tools and navigating GitHub branches, we persisted and successfully built a functional and visually appealing website within the allotted time frame.
Future Plans: The journey doesn't end here for Flourish; in fact, it's just the beginning. Our vision is to expand Flourish into a fully-fledged app where users can form groups, earn points for supporting each other, and cultivate multiple gardens. We aim to implement a dynamic point system that rewards different activities within groups, fostering a sense of camaraderie and achievement.
Ethical Considerations
In the development of our project, Flourish, we adhered to ethical guidelines to ensure the integrity and safety of our application. From inception to implementation, we prioritized the responsible use of technology and the ethical considerations inherent in creating software that interacts with users' personal data. We took proactive measures to safeguard user privacy and data security, implementing encryption protocols and robust authentication mechanisms to protect sensitive information. Moreover, we are committed to transparency and accountability in our practices, providing users with clear and accessible terms of service and privacy policies. Throughout the development process, we adhered to best practices in software engineering, employing version control systems like Git to manage code changes and collaborating effectively as a team to address challenges and resolve issues. We recognize the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in technology, and we made deliberate efforts to design Flourish in a way that is accessible to users of all backgrounds and abilities. As responsible computer engineers, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in our work, striving to create software that enhances the well-being and safety of our users while respecting their rights and autonomy.
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