What this project is really about
Solving the Waste Crisis with AI Imagine a world where your school cafeteria knows exactly how much pasta to cook so nothing ends up in the bin, or where a housing complex dims lights precisely when rooms are empty, saving thousands in energy costs. This isn't science fiction; it’s systems thinking. Most waste isn't caused by people wanting to be wasteful—it’s caused by inefficiency. In this project, you are the lead consultant. Your mission is to hunt down “leaks” in everyday systems, whether that's physical trash, wasted electricity, or lost time, and use the power of Artificial Intelligence to plug them. The Problem Statement: How might we use AI to identify, reduce, or prevent waste in everyday systems like schools, campuses, or local businesses? Your goal is to find the “Sweet Spot” between Environmental Impact, Cost, and Practicality. Shocking Facts to Get You Started • The Food Gap: Globally, about one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. In schools alone, food waste is often the largest component of the waste stream. • Vampire Energy: “Standby power” (electronics plugged in but not in use) can account for up to 10% of a building's total electricity use. AI can predict when to “kill” this power without human intervention. • The Data Goldmine: AI algorithms can analyze patterns in seconds that would take humans weeks. For example, AI can predict water pipe bursts before they happen by analyzing tiny changes in pressure data. What You’ll Build Student Deliverable: Project Portfolio (Submission 1) What’s Inside? You'll document how you went from finding a “waste leak” to designing an AI-based solution. You will describe the information you gathered, the ideas you tested, and the decisions you made. Document your journey (sketches, failed attempts, reflections) rather than just the final result. Student Deliverable: The Action Tape (Submission 2)What’s Inside? A professional presentation of your paper. Don’t just read the document—bring it to life! Show us the problem in the real world, visualize your data insights, and walk us through how your AI “brain” solves the problem. Why This Matters (STEM Skills) This isn't just about coding; it’s about Scientific Reasoning. You’ll be practicing: • Forecasting: Using past data to predict future waste. • Optimization: Finding the most efficient path for resources. • Ethical Design: Ensuring technology helps humans without overstepping boundaries. Pro Tip: Don't try to save the entire planet at once! The best projects usually focus on one specific “leak” — like the recycling bin in the library or the irrigation system on the soccer field — and solve it perfectly.
What you'll walk away knowing how to do
This project isn't about memorising facts. It's about building capabilities that transfer — to your next project, your next class, and beyond.
Learn from someone who does this for a living
You're not learning from a textbook. You're learning from a practitioner.
Sriram Raghavan
IBM
Sriram Raghavan brings real-world expertise and professional depth to this project, guiding students through every phase with insight that goes beyond the classroom.
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