Project-MOONSHOT ACADEMY

Start-up Game Studio Experience

Disciplines/Subjects: Computer Science, Art Key Themes: Game Development, Unity Game Engine, 3D Modeling, Blender, Game Design This project aims to provide a comprehensive start-up game studio experience by integrating computer science and art. Students will begin with the history and theory of game design, gradually mastering key skills such as 3D modeling and map design, and ultimately apply their knowledge in a simulated game studio environment to develop a 2D anti-war-themed game called "Dark Forest." The game tells the story of a kitten traversing a nuclear radiation-contaminated forest in a desolate world after a nuclear explosion, searching for its dog companion and seeking refuge. Through this game, students will learn how to combine programming techniques with creative design, solve technical challenges, and maintain the uniqueness of the game while meeting market demands. Throughout the project, students will experience the entire game development process, from concept to completion, which not only hone their project management and teamwork skills but also deepen their understanding of game design and development in practice. "Dark Forest," with its profound social significance and engaging storyline, becomes a medium for students to convey messages of peace and anti-war, while also exercising their ability to balance creative expression with technical implementation. Ultimately, students will emerge with a complete game project and a range of transferable skills, preparing them for future careers or entrepreneurial paths. This project is not only an educational innovation but also a transformation that combines technology, art, and social responsibility, aiming to cultivate the next generation of game developers and improve education and social awareness through technology.

AI-Controlled Tabletop Greenhouse

Disciplines/Subjects: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Robotics Key Themes: Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Models, Model Design, Sustainable Technology In this innovative final project, students will design and build an AI-controlled tabletop greenhouse that integrates modern technology with sustainable agriculture. The project begins with students brainstorming and sketching potential designs, considering functionality, aesthetics, and structural integrity. Using CAD software, they will create precise digital blueprints of their greenhouse. These designs will then be brought to life using a laser cutter to fabricate the structure’s components. Once cut, students will assemble the pieces, ensuring the greenhouse is sturdy and waterproof, which may involve sealing edges with silicon or other waterproofing materials. The interior of the greenhouse will be filled with soil and planted with real vegetation. The heart of the project lies in integrating an AI-controlled environment to optimize plant growth. Students will install a series of sensors, including a soil moisture sensor to monitor water content. If the soil becomes too dry, a microcontroller, such as a Micro: bit, will automatically activate a watering system. To ensure plants receive adequate light, LED grow lights will be programmed to turn on and off based on a preset schedule or environmental feedback. To maintain an optimal temperature, the greenhouse will include fans for cooling and windows that can be opened automatically based on temperature readings. Students will program these systems using the Micro: bit, combining coding with hardware integration. Throughout the project, students will test, refine, and troubleshoot their prototypes to achieve an efficient, self-sustaining system. This project combines design, engineering, and environmental science while fostering skills in CAD, laser cutting, circuitry, coding, and problem-solving. By the end of the project, students will have a functional tabletop greenhouse and a deeper understanding of how AI and technology can contribute to sustainable agriculture. This hands-on experience will prepare them for real-world applications of STEM disciplines.

AIGC at hand

Disciplines/Subjects: User Experience Design, Product Design Key Themes: Interest-driven, Mobile-end products, AIGC, Innovation UX design, as an applied discipline, is constantly evolving due to technological and social developments. The aim of the "AIGC at hand" project is to enable learners to focus on the cutting-edge trends of technological development within a specific period. Through designing AIGC products, while getting to know new technologies, they can deeply understand and learn to apply how technologies serve daily life, achieving an effective connection between knowledge and practice, and cultivating their acute perception and practical ability in technological application. The theme of the project is open but with certain restrictions. During the project implementation, learners can deeply explore user needs in the fields they are passionate about and transform these needs into services of mobile products. The crucial limiting factor is that AIGC technology must be used. Moreover, the integration of technology and product should not be a rigid and forced insertion, but rather a natural and smooth incorporation into the product design, effectively enhancing user experience and product value. For example, the "Journey" product created by learners - specifically serving the particular scenario of multi-person travel among young people, based on the AI large model, helps users jointly customize personalized travel itineraries and plans. Because the product precisely targets user pain points and enables the skillful application of AIGC technology, it has received recognition from enterprises and school experts.

AI Unraveled: Delving Into the Debates on Artificial Intelligence

Disciplines/Subjects: Pre-Advanced English - Nonfiction Key Themes: Human Relationship with Technology, Machine Intelligence, Computational Creativity, AI Ethics, Narrative (Media Representation) of AI This project invites students to become thought leaders by exploring the complexities of AI and its connections to intelligence, creativity, and ethics. Tackling controversial topics, they aim to spark curiosity, challenge misconceptions, and inspire critical thinking about AI's impact on the future. Students begin by selecting a contested issue in artificial intelligence to investigate. They gather perspectives through surveys, informal conversations, and real-world examples, using their findings to shape a thesis and driving question. To support their position, students are required to use case examples to illustrate and support their argument. The project culminates in an 800–1200-word essay, complemented by a creative cover page, showcasing their insights and discoveries. Students are also expected to share their views in an engaging presentation that raises awareness about the AI issue and encourages personal reflection on their learning journey. To extend their advocacy, they design a compelling postcard to communicate their message and spark dialogue beyond the classroom. Through this work, students develop expertise, promote informed perspectives, and inspire meaningful conversations about one of the most critical topics of our time.

Finding the Right Location with GIS

Discipline/ Subject：GIS, Design Key Themes: GIS Campus Map, Sign Design This was initially a "boarding project" course, where the teacher designed the research questions, project outcomes, and all the acceptance criteria in advance. However, the teacher, Mora, found this approach uninteresting. So, after analyzing examples of how GIS can impact everyday life, she would always ask the learners, "Do you have any issues you want to vent about, or projects you'd like to tackle, or problems you think can be solved using geographical thinking? Let's work on them together. If not, you can work on the project I've prepared. Your choice." In the fall semester of the 2024-2025 school year, a group of 9th-grade freshmen who wanted to create their projects found an area of interest: modifying the school's map and wayfinding system (landmarks and signage). As freshmen, they often found themselves lost on campus, unable to navigate properly. After some complaints in class, they decided to tackle the school's map and wayfinding system. Mora suggested they consult other members of the community to determine if this was indeed a real issue. They interviewed students, teachers, school administrators, and parents, and distributed surveys to all students, teachers, and parents. "Have you ever had difficulty finding a classroom on campus?" In the 175 valid surveys, 90% answered "Yes." "What do you think is the biggest problem with the school's map, landmarks, and signage system?" Missing or incorrect information on the map; the inner circle signage system provides no information. Based on the survey and interview results, they corrected errors in the school's map, added a more user-friendly "current location" feature, and focused on improving the inner circle wayfinding system. They thought this would solve the problem, but as the project progressed, an obstacle appeared: the school's classroom numbering was chaotic and irregular. To quickly locate classrooms, the room numbers needed to be rearranged. Without this, adding more maps and signage would still result in people getting lost. Reordering the room numbers for the entire school was far beyond their capability.

The Roar of the Mortar: An Invincible Siege Weapon

Disciplines/Subjects: Physics, Engineering, Computer Science Key Themes: Experiment Design, Scientific Calculation and Derivation, Engineering Manufacturing and Processing What is the experience of designing and making a "weapon"? Let's feel together with the students from Introduction to Physics, experience the hardships of the process and the beauty of the results, the agony of failure and the joy of success. Welcome to our Physics Project Exhibition. In this project, students have designed and simulated an important historical task from a war scenario—accurately hitting an enemy command center with simulated artillery shells. In this challenge, students not only apply fundamental principles of physics but also require innovative thinking, practical experimental design, and the application of their knowledge to solve real-world problems. The core task of the project is to use an existing tennis ball launcher or various "weapons" designed and built by students to simulate the firing of artillery shells. By adjusting parameters such as launch angle and initial velocity, students aim to hit distant targets with precision. The challenge was completed in three different ways: Experimental Method: Students designed and implemented multiple experiments to explore how launch angle and initial speed affect the trajectory of the balls. Through data analysis, they determined the optimal launch parameters. Theoretical Method: Using the physics of projectile motion, students performed precise mathematical calculations to predict the landing point of the artillery shells, determining the exact launch angle and velocity needed to hit the target. Engineering Design Method: Some students took on the challenge of designing and building their launchers. Through experimental testing, they continually refined their devices, striving to improve shooting accuracy through precise engineering. This project not only involves fundamental physics knowledge but also cultivates students' creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Through this exhibition, you will see how students have turned theoretical knowledge into practical solutions, demonstrating their learning journey from theory to application.

Principal Components Analysis: Theory and Application

Disciplines/Subjects: Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Statistics, Machine Learning Key Themes: Matrix Decomposition, Dimensionality Reduction, Statistical Modeling, Real-World Applications This project explores the application of Principal Components Analysis (PCA) as a statistical tool for dimensionality reduction in real-world datasets. Starting with the foundational theory, learners learn the relationship between Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and PCA, and how PCA can address common statistical dilemmas such as high dimensionality in data. Using Python, learners apply PCA to the "Prostate Cancer" dataset, exploring how the method extracts the most important components for predicting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels from various clinical measurements. Through this process, learners identify and analyze the principal components, evaluate the results, and compare the PCA-derived model with traditional linear regression models. The project emphasizes both the mathematical theory behind PCA and its practical application in data science. In addition, learners write their own PCA code from scratch using SVD, reflecting on the underlying algorithm and comparing their implementation to established Python instructions.

Exploring Pre-Calculus Concepts Through Real-World Applications

Disciplines/Subjects: Mathematics, Pre-Calculus, Applied Mathematics Key Themes: Mathematical Modeling, Real-World Applications, Exploration of Pre-Calculus Topics This project allows learners to choose a topic from the Pre-Calculus curriculum and explore its application in a real-world context. Topics may include polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, or trigonometric and polar functions. Learners will conduct research, develop mathematical models, solve example problems, and discuss real-world applications. For instance, the sample work explores how trigonometric functions model sound waves, demonstrating the mechanics of music and sound. The project encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of how mathematical concepts relate to practical scenarios.

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