TritonFacts

Our project, TritonFacts, is a website, created with HTML, CSS, and Python, which aims to make data about California's coastlines more accessible to researchers, and uses visualized data to do so.

Comment

Inspiration

We were inspired by the work of many non-profit organizations such as SeaTrees, who work to help the environment by reversing climate change and protecting ocean and coastal ecosystems. We decided to base our project around helping to inform people about environmental issues, and getting people to contribute to the cause.

What it does

Provides a social platform for people to discover, modify, and share data related to ocean ecology.

How we built it

We used HTML to code the website from scratch, and CSS to style the buttons and design. Then, we used Python to create a tool that allows users to import a CSV file and create a histogram using that data. We used drawing tools such as PixlR to create our own graphics. We also searched up data on Google to test the Python program. Due to the scope of this project, as well as our varying expertise, each team member worked on different tasks throughout the project. We helped each other out and asked for help when we got stuck. On the second day, we worked on integrating the various parts of the project.

Challenges we ran into

None of us were completely familiar with HTML or data visualization tools. Neither did any of us know each other prior to this event. We didn't share a common coding language, so we had to compromise and try to learn the basics of each other's languages to be of help to each other. That means that we spent a lot of time reading, experimenting, and trying to familiarize ourselves with the tools. Predictably, we stumbled on a lot of syntax errors and issues. We had to constantly test the code o make sure it worked, especially in regards to making sure the variables and buttons were consistently used and displayed. We also had to communicate a lot to make sure all the facets of this program (webpage, data vis, graphics) integrated well and worked.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite having very little experience with HTML and data manipulation, we managed to get a webpage running within two days. It even had a lot of extra features, like a donate button, submitting, and tools. These took a lot of time, effort, and testing to figure out. We also designed al the images used in the page, and it looks surprisingly good given our experience.

What we learned

Kshitij learned how to use HTML and CSS and JavaScript to create a functional webpage. Alicia learned how to use Google Colab to clean, sort, and create data visualizations from CSV files. Scott learned what it takes to be in a real team of people you don't already know, while also developing skills in JavaScript and HTML.

What's next for TritonFacts

Given more time, we could add some features we ended up dropping which would have reinforced the utility of this website. Some examples could include adding the option to filter graphs (images in submit) by words, which would help the users find the visuals they're looking for. We could add extra links on a resource tab, for our audience to get more information about these topics. We could add an option to comment on and share the images, so the visitors can interact with each other and discuss topics of importance such as ocean pollution and deterioration.

Built With

Share this project:

Updates