STORY PREVIEW

2023

Heart of the Wild

DFC Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh

MENTOR

Hoa Son Quoc

Step 1 FEEL

There are some problems in my school and neighborhood that make me worried. One big issue is that many students spend too much time on their phones or computers, mostly playing games or scrolling through social media. This doesn’t help them much and sometimes makes them lazy or distracted from schoolwork. Another problem is that we don’t spend enough time outdoors. Many of us don’t know much about nature or how to take care of it. It’s sad because nature is so beautiful, but we are getting more disconnected from it. Also, technology has made it harder for some families and friends to stay close. Everyone is busy looking at their screens, and it feels like we are losing real connections. This makes people feel lonely sometimes. Lastly, I see a lot of trash around my school and neighborhood. People don’t always throw their garbage in the right places, and it makes the area dirty. It also hurts the environment and the animals that live around us. These problems make me want to find ways to help, so everyone can live healthier and happier lives.

Our group decided to focus on the issue of young people using technology the wrong way. Many of us spend too much time on phones or computers doing things that don’t really help us, like gaming or browsing random stuff. This leads to poor physical and mental health, less time for real-life activities, and weaker connections with friends, family, and nature. We chose this problem because it’s something we experience ourselves. Sometimes, it feels hard to balance screen time with outdoor activities or even just talking to others face-to-face. We also see this happening with many of our classmates, which makes us want to do something about it. This issue matters because technology should help us, not control us. By addressing this problem, we hope to encourage more young people to use technology in a healthier way while reconnecting with the world around them.

The people most affected by this problem are young people like us. We often feel distracted by technology, and it’s hard to focus on studying or spending quality time with family and friends. Many of us also notice that using devices too much can make us feel tired, lonely, or even stressed. Families are also affected because everyone gets caught up in their own screens. Parents worry that their kids aren’t spending enough time outside or being active. They also want stronger family connections, but technology sometimes makes it harder to talk or bond. Teachers and friends are impacted too. In schools, some students lose focus or skip activities because they’re too hooked on games or social media. This can harm their friendships and even their grades. Everyone just wants us to find a better balance and use technology in a way that helps instead of hurts.

Step 2 IMAGINE

We came up with many different solutions to help solve this problem. First, we thought about creating a group where young people can share their experiences and ideas about using technology in a healthier way. We could organize fun activities, like outdoor games or nature trips, to get everyone off their screens. Another idea was to interview students, parents, and teachers to understand the problem better. This would help us know what people need and how to make a bigger impact. We also thought about using technology in a good way. For example, we could make a website or an interactive map to introduce national parks and show exciting activities people can do there. Adding an AI chatbot to answer questions about nature or mini-games to learn about the environment could make it more fun. We could also start a social media page to share posts, videos, and contests that encourage people to explore nature and take breaks from their devices. Organizing events, like photo contests or workshops, could inspire more people to get involved. Finally, we thought about teaming up with schools and local organizations to spread our message. This way, we could reach more people and even get support for our project, like funding or resources. Each of these ideas can help make technology a tool for good while bringing people closer to each other and the environment.

We chose to create a digital platform to reconnect young people with nature and use technology in a positive way. This platform includes a website, an interactive map, an AI chatbot, mini-games, and a social media page. These tools will introduce Vietnam’s national parks, provide fun ways to learn about nature, and encourage outdoor activities. We picked this solution because it combines technology and nature, which is something exciting and new. Instead of asking people to stop using their devices, we’re showing them how to use technology to explore and connect with the real world. It’s creative, educational, and fun at the same time. We also chose this idea because it’s realistic for us to accomplish. By using tools like Google Maps, Canva, and AI-powered apps, we can create a platform that’s easy to use and appealing to young people. This solution lets us take small steps that make a big impact, helping others see technology as a tool for learning and connection.

Step 3DO

To make our solution happen, we started by forming our group, Nature Keepers, with members from different schools. Then, we interviewed students, parents, and teachers to understand the problem better and gather ideas. We also researched information about Vietnam’s national parks and their activities by talking to organizations and looking online. Next, we divided tasks to create our digital platform. Some of us worked on building the website and designing an interactive map using tools like Google Maps and WordPress. Others focused on creating an AI chatbot to answer questions about nature and developing mini-games with fun and educational content. We also used Canva to design posters, videos, and other materials for social media. Finally, we started sharing our project by organizing activities like a photo contest, creating a Facebook page, and presenting our ideas at school. We’re still working on improving and expanding the platform so more people can join and benefit from it.

Our project has already made a positive impact. Many students and teachers from our schools are now more aware of how to use technology for learning and exploring nature. The platform we created, with its website, interactive map, and AI chatbot, has helped young people learn about Vietnam’s national parks and discover fun outdoor activities. We also received support from school leaders who allowed us to present our project and even start a club called WE CAN to continue our mission. Through social media, we reached thousands of people, inspiring them to take part in contests, visit parks, and reduce their screen time. The project has not only helped others but also changed us. We’ve learned how to work as a team, use technology in creative ways, and appreciate the importance of balancing tech and nature. We’re excited to keep growing the project and make an even bigger difference in the future.

200

The principal, Mr. Christopher Bradley from Victoria School, said, "This project is very meaningful. I’m impressed with how it encourages students to use technology creatively and reconnect with nature." He also supported us by allowing the creation of the WE CAN club at our school. Teachers from Vinschool Central Park and Trần Đại Nghĩa also gave encouraging comments. One teacher said, "It’s inspiring to see students taking the lead in addressing such an important issue. This project shows how technology can be used to solve real-world problems while promoting a healthy lifestyle." These words motivate us to keep working hard and expand our impact.

We faced several challenges while working on our project. One of the biggest challenges was managing our time. Since we come from different schools, it was hard to find time to meet and work together, especially with busy schedules. To overcome this, we organized meetings on weekends and used online tools to collaborate effectively. Another challenge was learning how to use new technologies. None of us had much experience with creating websites, interactive maps, or AI chatbots. We solved this by watching tutorials, asking for help from IT experts, and experimenting with different tools until we figured things out. Lastly, we sometimes struggled to get enough attention for our project. To fix this, we focused on creating exciting social media content and organizing fun activities like contests to attract more people. These challenges taught us teamwork, problem-solving, and how to stay motivated.

MORE THAN 30 DAYS

Good health and well being

I believe Good Health and Well-Being is the perfect SDG for this project because it focuses on improving both physical and mental health, which are major goals of our initiative. Our project encourages young people to spend less time on screens and more time outdoors, promoting physical activity and reducing the risk of health issues like stress and anxiety. By creating opportunities to connect with nature and participate in meaningful activities, we also support emotional well-being and help strengthen relationships with family and friends. These actions align directly with the SDG's aim to ensure a healthy lifestyle and promote well-being for everyone.

Step 4 SHARE

We shared our project with our schools and community in several ways. First, we gave presentations at school to introduce the project to students and teachers. We also created a social media page where we shared posts, videos, and updates about our activities. One of our most popular activities was a photo contest that encouraged students to explore nature and share their experiences. We reached out to school leaders and clubs to help spread the word. For example, the principals at Vinschool Central Park and Trần Đại Nghĩa supported us by allowing us to present in classes and display posters about our project. The feedback we received was very encouraging. Students found the project exciting and said it inspired them to spend more time outdoors. Teachers appreciated how we used technology to make learning about nature fun and meaningful. These positive responses motivate us to continue growing our project and involving more people.

More than 100

To keep our project going, we plan to update our platform regularly with new content, like fun facts about nature, interactive features, and educational mini-games. This will keep people interested and engaged. We also want to continue running activities like the photo contest every year to inspire more students to explore nature. Our WE CAN club will organize events, such as workshops and outdoor trips, to connect even more young people with the environment. Additionally, we will reach out to more schools and organizations to grow our community. By finding new sponsors and volunteers, we can expand the project and create even bigger impacts. These steps will help us maintain and grow the project’s influence over time.

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