NYC Pest Tracker
Creators: Daisy, Luis, Hanae, Caitlyn
School: High School Students from High School for Environmental Studies
Location: Manhattan, NY
Project Themes: Environment & Sustainbility
Project Type: App Design
About this Project
NYC Pest Tracker allows you to locate places that have rats, cockroaches and other pests that you don't want in your home. The tracker has a map that shows the locations and allows you to make reports about pests you see.
Project Links
What the Judges are Saying
Really creative idea! I would use this app. Pest can be biohazards and it would great to know that there is an easy way to report the issues and then track the follow up. Only suggestion is to think of a way to try to limit the negative comments about people or places.
The app has the potential to extend beyond the city, reaching a network of urban neighborhoods where its capabilities can make a significant impact. One exciting application could be leveraging the app to identify and track rodents or insects, helping communities proactively manage pest control and urban health. With the right implementation, this feature could assist in monitoring infestations, predicting patterns, and offering real-time solutions to residents and local authorities. The possibilities are limitless—enhancing environmental awareness, improving sanitation, and fostering safer living conditions. As the app evolves, its reach and influence could extend even further, supporting smarter urban ecosystems and community-driven solutions.
I really like the use of firsthand interviews with native New Yorkers to give the project strong local authenticity and user relevance. Increasing awareness about pests and making the city feel cleaner and safer is a compelling idea.
Including a map feature is an effective way to visualize data and empower users and policy makers like the mayor to make decisions.
It would be helpful to hear more about how the data is verified, how do you make sure that the reports are accurate?
As a second research step, consider expanding your user pool to include people who have lived in New York for some time, but may not be FROM the city. It's important to have a broad user pool; people from other places may have experiences and possible solutions that native New Yorkers may not.
I love the potential of this app to encourage civic engagement or solutions (for example by connecting with sanitation services or volunteer groups). This would strengthen the public impact, improve the visibility of the issue you're addressing, and increase the reach of your app.
Overall, this is a bold and culturally resonant idea that shows clear attention to user needs. Great job identifying a hyperlocal problem and proposing a creative, tech-driven solution!
Including a map feature is an effective way to visualize data and empower users and policy makers like the mayor to make decisions.
It would be helpful to hear more about how the data is verified, how do you make sure that the reports are accurate?
As a second research step, consider expanding your user pool to include people who have lived in New York for some time, but may not be FROM the city. It's important to have a broad user pool; people from other places may have experiences and possible solutions that native New Yorkers may not.
I love the potential of this app to encourage civic engagement or solutions (for example by connecting with sanitation services or volunteer groups). This would strengthen the public impact, improve the visibility of the issue you're addressing, and increase the reach of your app.
Overall, this is a bold and culturally resonant idea that shows clear attention to user needs. Great job identifying a hyperlocal problem and proposing a creative, tech-driven solution!
