Computer Science, taught by Ms. Taricco, focuses on learning web development and Java. In this class, we learn by practicing through different projects and exercises. We learned HTML and CSS by creating our own personal websites, and built our Java knowledge by writing different programs that you can check out below! In CS, we also participate in the American Computer Science League and learn topics like number systems, boolean algebra, and recursive functions for the competition. Computer Science mostly follows the AP CSA curriculum.
One of our units focused on graphical art, where we use Java to draw various images. At the same time, we also
learned for loops. To practice these skills, we were challenged to recreate this image using only lines, in the
most efficient way possible. After a lot of manual drawing, trial and error, and studying the image, I was
successfully able to recreate the image using Java.
Not able to view the PDF? Check out my code here!
Another exercise we completed to practice array lists is to compute prime numbers in the most efficient way possible.
To do this, I used a boolean array and set every composite number to false by looping through every multiple.
Then, I printed out all the true numbers. My program can compute the prime numbers up to 10,000 in 0.3108 seconds!
Not able to view the PDF? Check out my code here!
In Computer Science, we spend the second half of the year working on designing and developing our own apps in groups for Apps for Good. My group, including Naaisha Agarwal, Dasha Vo, and I worked on creating an app called CityCiv. Our app was coded in JavaScript, HTML, and CSS as a web application. Read more below to learn about our app, CityCiv!
Problem
In the age of technology, the decline in human interaction in local communities leaves
many feeling disconnected from those around them (Belle Booth, 2025). Additionally, busy
adults and younger generations have limited working knowledge of how to engage with their
town (Belle Booth, 2025). In Worcester, only 22% of eligible voters cast
ballots in the previous election, as stated by Varun Ganesan, Assistant Chief of Staff for the
City of Worcester. This problem is especially prevalent among teens and young adults, as they are often
unaware of how they can engage in their town.
Solution
CityCiv is a new app that
connects people within a local community, increases civic engagement, and fosters connections
with local government, designed specifically for teenagers and young adults. Its main feature is a
Community Dashboard that enables users to easily discover local events, share ideas, and
actively participate in their local community in real time. CityCiv redefines connection, fostering
connection in local communities and making civic engagement a part of daily life.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP):
To foster a sense of community, our MVP is a Community
Dashboard featuring events that residents have posted and responded to, as well as questions or
posts where local residents can interact with each other. Because of this, the two main features
will be the interactive dashboard with all the local events in the town that residents post to and
react to, and the ability to communicate with each other.
To create posts, users will need to provide details of their event, including
date and time, location, and description.
Target Audience:
In line with our main problem, our project is aimed at teens and young adults, 16 to 25
years old. This is because adults and senior citizens are disproportionately represented in their
town’s civic life through town meetings and board meetings (V Ganesan, personal
communication, February 20, 2026). Specifically, we are
targeting the young residents of our local town, Worcester, Massachusetts. Our app aims to
rekindle civic engagement at this age group and make it both accessible and fun for young users.
Civic Lessons
These lessons teach users about their duties and rights, forms of town engagement,
how local, state, and federal elections work, and a legal glossary of terms commonly used during
town meetings. These lessons help citizens better understand how their town government
functions and their role. The lessons take the form of flashcards, informational content, as well as links to town resources.
Not able to view the PDF? Check out my CityCiv poster here!