Projects
Independent Research Within Collaborative, Mission-Driven Project Ecosystems
Each ACA project tackles a complex, real-world issue with direct public benefit. These community service initiatives are structured as project ecosystems, where every participant works on a clearly defined, independent subproject aligned with their own interests and career goals.
This approach ensures:

• Individual ownership and accountability

• Opportunity to develop and showcase specific skills

• Contribution to a broader, meaningful impact
   

🔹 Harmonetics
Category: Software Applications for Special Needs Persons
Scope: Design innovative tools that assist individuals with cognitive, developmental, or communication challenges. Participants develop user-friendly applications, educational interfaces, or assistive technologies focused on accessibility, usability, and empathy-driven design.
Sample Focus Areas:

• Speech-to-text or text-to-speech tools

• Visual schedules and daily planners

• Emotion recognition using simple AI

• Interactive learning games for neurodiverse users

Ideal Disciplines:

• Computer Science (Python, UI/UX)

• Cognitive Science / Psychology

• Education Technology

• Human-Computer Interaction

• Accessibility/Inclusive Design
   

🔹 VAATV: Vacuum-Assisted Aerial Transport Vehicle
Category: Energy-Efficient Transportation Systems
Scope: Explore the future of personal and cargo transport by contributing to a modular aerial system using vacuum buoyancy and high-speed centrifuge-assisted lift. Each student explores a unique subsystem—from propulsion to thermal control—within this bold, long-term engineering vision.
Sample Focus Areas:

• Materials testing for low-pressure chambers

• Lightweight structural design

• Buoyancy optimization through gas physics

• Flight control simulation & stability analysis

• Energy systems for low-emission lift

Ideal Disciplines:

• Aerospace Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Electrical/Mechatronics

• Physics

• Systems Design / Simulation

• Computer Science (controls, modeling)
   

🔹 HeatShield Mini
Category: Child Safety in Vehicles
Scope: Prevent tragic hot car incidents through low-cost, non-invasive seat temperature sensors with smartphone alerts. Each student tackles a piece of the puzzle: from sensor design to Bluetooth communication or data visualization.
Sample Focus Areas:

• Passive temperature sensing and calibration

• Wireless phone notification systems

• Battery-efficient circuit design

• Data logging and safety thresholds

• Enclosure design for child seat integration

Ideal Disciplines:

• Electrical Engineering

• Embedded Systems

• Human Factors

• Computer Science (mobile apps, alert systems)

• Industrial/Product Design
   

🔹 Centralia Pennsylvania Coal Fire Response
Category: Environmental Hazard Mitigation
Scope: Design sustainable, science-backed solutions for underground coal mine fires still burning in parts of the U.S. Students investigate containment, environmental monitoring, or public health outreach strategies in one of the nation's longest-running environmental crises.
Sample Focus Areas:

• Thermal plume modeling

• Air quality sensor network development

• Remote containment strategies

• Community mapping and impact modeling

• Historical fire documentation and digital archiving

Ideal Disciplines:

• Environmental Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• GIS/Remote Sensing

• Public Health

• Data Science
   

Every Project Starts With You
At ACA, you don’t just join a project — you own a piece of it. You'll be assigned a clear problem to solve or deliverable to build, with mentorship and weekly feedback to support your success. Your final report becomes part of the larger ecosystem’s archive — and your personal portfolio.
 
Have a community-benefit STEM project idea of your own? You may propose a custom initiative during the admissions process.