22.3. Project 2: Solve a Problem Related to Sustainable Development

To identify a real-world problem related to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and create an AI-supported solution using design thinking and data handling.

The objective of this project is to address a real-world issue that correlates with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will use AI to develop a solution. It's important for students to recognize that these global goals encompass various challenges, such as poverty, education, and environmental sustainability. By focusing on a specific problem, students will learn to apply design thinking and manage data.

Think of this project like a treasure hunt. Instead of looking for treasure, students search for problems in their communities that need solving, just as a treasure hunter looks for valuable items. The students act like explorers, using AI as their tools to find solutions to these important problems.

Choose a problem such as:

• Pollution in your area
• Water wastage
• Energy consumption
• Deforestation
• Traffic congestion

In this step, students need to select a specific issue from their surroundings that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals. The list includes pollution, water wastage, energy consumption, deforestation, and traffic congestion. Each of these problems has significant impacts on both local and global scales, making them suitable for exploration and resolution through AI.

Imagine you live in a town where there's a lot of garbage on the streets, leading to pollution. Identifying this problem is similar to finding a leak in a house – you have to address it to stop further damage. By choosing an issue to focus on, students start the process of making their community a better place to live.

The 4Ws canvas helps to understand the problem deeply. W Question Example Who Who is affected? Local residents What What is the problem? Air pollution Where Where is it happening? Industrial area Why Why is it a concern? Causes health problems

The 4Ws (Who, What, Where, Why) canvas is a tool for students to explore the selected problem comprehensively. By identifying who is affected, what the problem is, its location, and why it’s a concern, students gain a clearer understanding of the issue at hand. This structured approach encourages critical thinking and lays the groundwork for developing an effective solution later.

Think of it like solving a mystery. A detective gathers all the clues by asking who was involved, what happened, where it took place, and why it matters. By doing this, students can piece together the full story of their problem, which is essential for coming up with a smart solution.

List the features (data points) that contribute to the problem. Example (for Air Pollution):

• Vehicle count
• Factory emission level
• Tree coverage
• Air Quality Index (AQI)
• Time of day Use a system map to show how these elements are related.

In this step, students identify specific features that contribute to their problem using data points. For example, if air pollution is their chosen issue, they might consider the number of vehicles, factory emissions, and tree coverage. They will also create a system map that visually represents how these elements interconnect, helping them see the big picture of their problem.

Imagine trying to fix a car. You'd need to look at different parts: engine, wheels, fuel system, etc. Each part affects the performance of the car. Similarly, by mapping out features related to their problem, students learn that each element plays a role in the larger picture, just like the parts of a car work together to keep it running smoothly.

Use Spreadsheet software (like Excel or Google Sheets) to:

• Record collected data
• Use graphs (bar, pie, line) to visualize the data
• Find patterns or correlations

In this step, students collect relevant data about their problem and utilize spreadsheet software to organize this information. After entering the data, they can create various types of graphs to visualize the findings. This visualization helps in spotting patterns or trends, which are vital for understanding the scale and details of the problem.

Visualizing data is like telling a story with pictures. If you have a jar of different colored marbles, charting how many of each color you have helps you understand what colors dominate. In the same way, building charts from collected data helps students see their problem more clearly and recognize important patterns that they need to address.

Create or research a prototype solution. Some ideas:

• A mobile app that gives pollution alerts.
• Smart watering systems for water conservation.
• AI-powered garbage sorting systems.

At this stage, students brainstorm and develop potential AI-enabled solutions for the problems they have explored. They can create prototypes using technologies that implement AI to make everyday tasks more efficient or to solve issues like pollution or water waste. This encourages innovation and creativity in practical application.

Imagine inventing a new gadget for your home to help save water, like a smart faucet that knows when you are finished washing your hands. By designing solutions, students become like inventors, using technology to create tools that improve life for everyone, similar to how smartphones have changed communication.

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