Inspiration Living in Toronto as a student isn't just about studying; it’s a high-stakes survival game. We were inspired by the daily "domino effect" we see around us: how a single TTC delay can lead to a missed exam, or how rising grocery prices slowly erode a student's mental health and GPA. We wanted to build MapleRadar to visualize these invisible causal chains and show that student success is deeply tied to urban stability.
What it does MapleRadar is a causality mapping tool and simulator. It allows users to trigger specific "Toronto Scenarios"—such as TTC service cuts, housing price hikes, or Loblaws inflation—and see a real-time visualization of how these factors ripple through a student's life. It tracks metrics like GPA Risk, Financial Stress, and Mental Bandwidth, using a node-based graph to show exactly where things start to fall apart.
How we built it
We utilized a tech stack focused on data clarity and interactivity:
Python for the core simulation logic.
Streamlit to create a clean, responsive dashboard.
NetworkX and Pyvis to model the complex relationship between urban variables as a directed graph.
Challenges we ran into
The biggest challenge was quantifying "vague" stressors into logical data points. How much does a 2-hour transit delay actually impact a student's probability of academic probation? We had to balance social reality with algorithmic logic to ensure the simulation felt grounded yet functional.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are incredibly proud of our Causality Graph. It’s one thing to say "everything is expensive," but seeing a visual map where a "Rent Increase" node directly triggers "Extended Work Hours" which then dims the "Study Time" node makes the crisis feel much more real and urgent.
What we learned
We learned the power of Vibe Coding—that with the right AI collaboration, a small team of three can move from a project proposal to a functional, interactive simulation in a very tight timeframe. We also deepened our understanding of graph theory and how it can be applied to social advocacy.
What's next for Untitled
We hope to expand the MapleRadar knowledge base to include more specific GTA regions like Scarborough and Etobicoke. We also want to integrate real-time API data from the TTC and rental listings to make the simulation move from "scenario-based" to "live-data driven."
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