In this computer science class, taught by Ms. Taricco, we focus on learning the fundamentals of programming using Java. Throughout the course, I've gained hands-on experience with coding concepts, problem-solving, and software development techniques. I will also be showcasing some of the programs I've created as part of the class to give you a better idea of the skills and projects that we have worked on.
One of my favorite exercises this year was Bulgarian Solitaire as me and my friends were able to work really well together in completing this and building upon our programming skills. The game begins with a random triangular number of cards, N, such as 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, or 45. These cards are subsequently divided into a random number of randomly sized piles. For example, if N was 21 there could be three piles of 2, 6, and 13. Each turn after this one is subtracted from each pile and added to a new pile. So for the 2, 6, and 13 example the piles on the next turn would be 1, 5, 12, and 3. The solitaire is over when the piles have size 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, in some order, although with the example of 21 cards the highest number in this sequence would be 6.
Another program I completed this year involved designing a
class that represents a star and using a filled polygon to draw the
star in applet. Ten stars were drawn and randomly distributed across
the screen, each with its own random size. I liked this program as
it required a lot of mathematical work and improved my understanding
of the geometry behind polygons.
Sample Output: 
In 2024, approximately 332 million people traveled some distance, whether it was a couple of minutes down the road, across multiple states, or from out of the country, with a common goal in mind: to see the breathtaking and iconic sites that we have designated as National Parks (National Park Service, 2025). In the United States, there are 63 of these official National Parks and over 400 other sites managed by the National Park Service (Chernikoff & Chen, 2024). Over 100 million pounds of garbage are generated by the hundreds of millions of visitors each year, which poses a significant threat to the National Parks themselves and the surrounding communities if not handled properly (Lawhon et al., 2018). Not only does wildlife suffer, but an individual’s experience is negatively impacted by this waste (Lawhon et al., 2018). Across the globe, waste is a significant issue, contributing to global warming and increased natural disasters, as well as directly harming the health of animals through toxic chemicals like microplastics (Earthday.org, 2025). It is possible to reduce waste overall with techniques like reusing and recycling materials; however, these mainly limit the amount of waste in the environment in future years and do not account for the trash that is already out there. It is equally necessary to clean up the spaces that have waste actively causing damage. National Parks, in particular, are some of the rare preserved and protected natural areas left that are home to thousands of wildlife species and deserve to continue to thrive for years to come (National Park Service, n.d.). This way, both future people and wildlife can enjoy these spaces just as much as those that came before them
A potential solution for waste reduction in National Parks is an application that targets park visitors, including but not limited to solo travelers, couples, and entire families. A study done by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics aimed to understand the motivations behind proper waste disposal and how National Park visitors view waste practices across the board (Lawhon et al., 2018). The study found that park-goers were likely and willing to dispose of their waste in the appropriate receptacles when provided, including sorting landfill items from recyclables; however, much of the waste generated within the park was non-recyclable plastic, which is an issue in and of itself (Lawhon et al., 2018). Visitors that sought out information themselves or saw signage within the park were more likely to properly dispose of their waste as well, which provides good evidence that informational material targeting park visitors from all backgrounds is helpful and needed (Lawhon et al., 2018).