The Do Good Institute and its Do Good Challenge are excited to announce the selection of six 2017 Do Good Challenge finalists.
The six teams were selected from more than 90 teams who aim to do good on campus, in the community, and globally. Teams are addressing social issues ranging from children’s health to medication recovery to sexual assault prevention. Teams include students from seven colleges and schools, including College of Arts and Humanities, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, College of Education, James Clark School of Engineering, School of Public Health and the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
On April 26, the final teams will pitch their project or venture to a panel of judges and an audience of hundreds and share the impact they’ve made for the chance to win a share of more than $20,000 in prize money.
Do Good Challenge Prizes:
- 1st Place Project: $5,000
- 2nd Place Project: $2,500
- 3rd Place Project: $1,000
- 1st Place Venture: $5,000
- 2nd Place Venture: $2,500
- 3rd Place Venture: $1,000
- BSOS Be the Solution Finalist Showcase Audience Choice Award: $1,500
- BSOS Be the Solution Finalist Showcase Audience Choice Award: $1,500
- BSOS Be the Solution Showcase Audience Choice Award: $1,000
- BSOS Be the Solution Showcase Audience Choice Award Runnerup: $750
2017 VENTURES
James Hollister Wellness Foundation: James Hollister Wellness Foundation saves viable medications for developing nations while reducing the toxic pollutants resulting from pharmaceutical and medical waste. Through a three-pronged approach, James Hollister recovers medications that have been labeled as expired, tests them to ensure they are still viable by FDA standards, and distributes them for charitable purposes in accordance with the World Health Organization. James Hollister Wellness Foundation was able to fundraise more than $10,000 to purchase medications at reduced rates, will provide medications for an estimated 11,000 low-income citizens during mission trips to Ghana and Honduras and began the clearance process to continue negotiations with divisions of the Federal Drug Administration in order to scale their impact.
- Matthew Hollister, Junior, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Stefano Brugnerotto, Junior, Finance, Loyola University Maryland
Kodactive: Kodactive aims to make computer science more accessible through a project-based platform that uses interactive, immersive, programmable STEM toys. Kodactive’s first toy is a RC car, equipped with sensors that can be programmed through a mobile application and a drag and drop coding interface. Students move through lessons on the app, starting with basic fundamentals and advancing to more complex concepts to make the toy car self-driving. Kodactive conducted a workshop with 20 students at the Community School and has been able to secure $2,000 in funding from CG Ventures. Through feedback sessions with HopHacks and Women in Computing and upcoming workshops scheduled for Charles Carroll Middle School, Kodactive is prototyping and iterating their curriculum and products to move towards mass production.
- Zachariyya Khan, Freshman, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Tamer Bader, Sophomore, James Clark School of Engineering
- Travis Ho, Freshman, James Clark School of Engineering
Symbiont Health: Symbiont Health LLCis developingan automated fall detection system to reduce the number of geriatric falls. Unlike the popular medical alert system Life Alert, this device would detect falls through motion sensor and gyroscopic technology. By connecting primary care physicians with their patients, the device will also collect real-time, vital diagnostic information used to reduce emergency responder time. Symbiont Health has been able to develop a minimally viable product, conducted interviews with more than 50 stakeholders, developed partnerships with Arden Courts Memory Care Communities in Kensington, Maryland, and MedStar Innovation Institute, and is on their way to clinical trials.
- Erich Meissner, Junior, James Clark School of Engineering
- Maria Chen, Sophomore, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Daniel Rosenberry, Junior, James Clark School of Engineering
- Nick Hricz, Sophomore, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Kyle Liu, Freshman, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
2017 PROJECTS
Preventing Sexual Assault: Preventing Sexual Assault (PSA)aspires to change the culture of sexual assault in all communities at the University of Maryland by educating the community, supporting survivors and advocating for change. PSA works to make certain the voices of survivors are heard, rape culture is combated and every new class of students can have equal access to education free from sexual violence. PSA raised more than $9,000 and hosted several events through the year, including the Occupy McKeldin 12-hour sit-in, fundraisers at College Park restaurants and a “Slut Walk” to end victim blaming. One event, Real Talk, will be featured in a NBC Universal documentary titled Tamron Hall Investigates: Campus Sexual Assault.
- Alanna DeLeon, Senior, School of Public Health
- Natalie Cabezas, Senior, Robert H. Smith School of Business
- Colleen Connolly, Senior, School of Public Health
- Jillian McGrath, Senior, College of Arts and Humanities
- Ariel Sirota, Junior, College of Education
TerpThon: TerpThon is the largest student-run philanthropic organization at the University of Maryland. Year-round fundraising efforts culminate in a 12-hour Dance Marathon each March where students stand in support of current and former patient families of Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. TerpThon hosted various events, fundraising activities, and awareness campaigns including Hoops for The Kids: Lights n’ Sirens Edition, in partnership with the College Park Police and Fire Departments and Rush to Raise, a Greek chapter competition that raised more than $60,000 in just 24 hours. All funds go directly to the Children’s National Health System with previous years’ contributions resulting in the opening of the Fetal Medicine Institute and the purchase of new echocardiograms for the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. TerpThon engaged with more than 30 patient families, registered more than 3,000 University of Maryland students for the Dance Marathon, and raised over $1,000,000 – all For the Kids.
- Kevin Bock, Senior, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Bianca Fiore, Junior, School of Public Health
- Amara Fox, Sophomore, School of Public Health
Vintage Voices: Vintage Voices aims to improve the mental health and quality of life for elderly living in long-term care facilities through the power of music. With an increasing aging population long-term care communities are experiencing an increase in residents. With physical health as the priority for caregivers, senior residents may miss out on activities to stimulate their mental and emotional health and wellbeing and improve their quality of life. Music has been shown to provide a positive outlet for stimulation, relaxation, reminiscence, and socialization and helps make meaningful connections. Vintage Voices partnered with 7 senior living communities in the College Park area and hosted sing-along performances featuring music from resident’s youth, like What a Wonderful World and Bugle Boy, and spent time with residents. Between rehearsals, performing, and visiting with the residents, Vintage Voices logged 546 volunteer hours this year alone. After these performances, residents showed an improvement in mood, memory for distant events, sociability and activity level. To further their reach and impact, Vintage Voices held fundraising events to raise money for iPods for residents, so they can continue to listen to their favorite music after performances. In addition, the group held “GeriTalks” to educate and engage more than 200 college students.
- Becky Goodridge, Junior, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Michelle Glazer, Senior, College of Arts and Humanities
- Jennifer Holler, Junior, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- Anabel Reynolds, Junior, School of Public Health
- Andrew Lazara, Sophomore, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
