Immersive Experience
Immersive Experience
Embedded Files
For this Immersive Experience project, our grade level worked together to design and build a swamp ecosystem. The goal was to create a visually engaging, hands-on model that accurately represented the different components of a swamp environment, while also incorporating artistic creativity and teamwork. Our ecosystem featured several key elements, including lily pads, flowers, trees, and cattails, each made from a variety of materials to give the project depth and texture.
To create the lily pads, we used construction paper in multiple shades of green to give a more realistic and layered effect. Each lily pad was carefully cut and arranged to float or rest on the “water” surface, mimicking the way real lily pads appear in nature. The cattails were built using empty water bottles, brown paint, and Styrofoam, which we shaped and painted to resemble the tall, slender plants typically found at the edges of swampy areas. For the trees, we used toilet paper rolls as the trunks and added leaves and branches using construction paper to complete the look. Finally, for the flowers, we used construction paper petals and placed a small light in the center of each one, creating a glowing effect that added beauty and drew attention to this part of the display.
We tied everything together through the central theme of water, since swamps are wetlands where water plays a vital role in supporting the entire ecosystem. Our layout and material choices helped reflect the interconnectedness of the organisms that live in a swamp, from plants to insects to larger wildlife.
Out of all the elements we created, the part I’m most proud of is the flowers with the light in the middle. They stood out visually and added a special, almost magical feel to the ecosystem, making them a highlight of the entire display. However, one thing I would like to improve is the tree placed on the pole in the PBL lab—it didn’t match the rest of the ecosystem as well as we had hoped, and with more time or planning, it could have been more detailed and consistent with the other trees.
Mali App
Mali App
As part of my Intro to Digital Technology class with Mr. Kitchen, I created an app that explores both the traditional and modern-day versions of the Empire of Mali. I built the app using Code.org, applying the coding and design skills I learned throughout the course. This project allowed me to combine technology with history and culture, while also making connections to literature we studied in other classes. Specifically, I tied in knowledge from 9th Grade Literature with Ms. Klein, where we read and discussed Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali, which gave me deeper insight into the empire's origins, values, and historical significance.
The app is designed to be both educational and interactive, giving users the opportunity to explore how the Empire of Mali evolved over time—from its early roots under rulers like Sundiata Keita to its influence on modern West African culture and geography. I included sections that highlight important aspects such as government, trade, religion, and daily life in both historical and current contexts. I also added images, text, and links to provide a more engaging user experience.
This project helped me develop not only my technical and design skills but also allowed me to make meaningful interdisciplinary connections between history, literature, and computer science. It was a creative way to show what I’ve learned across subjects while using technology as a storytelling tool. The app link is included below for anyone who would like to explore it further.
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