| Biographies |
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| Evan - My name is Evan Farrell, I am a twelfth Grade student from Toronto, Ontario. I am in the Math and Science Technology (MaST) program at my current high school, and am an aspiring Software Engineer/Game Programmer. My partner Max Musing and I got the idea for our project from a YouTube video showcasing the incorporation of Artificial Neural Networks into a fighting simulation. As we were both very interested in Artificial Intelligence, we initially decided to create a simulation of an artificial ecosystem, using the same system of learning from that of the video. Max and I have many plans for the future of our project. Ultimately, we want to make our program marketable, in such a way that many new tasks throughout various industries could be completed using brains developed in our simulation. The most important piece of advice I can give to anyone thinking about creating a project is to do something that greatly interests them. My passion for computer science has allowed me to work countless hours on this project, and it would be nowhere near where it is today if I hadn't loved every step of the way. | | Max Kevin Kit - I have maintained Honour Roll throughout high school at Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute’s Math, Science and Technology program which allows access to special electives (e.g. Engineering) and accelerated course completion. In grade 8, I was a Legislative Page at Queen’s Park. I was lead programmer for my middle school Robotics Team, winning top programming award Toronto City Finals; first place at National Robotics Open Championship; and eighth place FLL Open Championship. I received a regional plaque for perfect score in the Waterloo Canadian Computing Jr Competition. I have been Music Council Vice President and in Danforth’s House and Jazz Bands, playing piano, bass guitar and drums. I am Captain of our Rowing Team and on the Debate Team. Every week I volunteered with the local Boy Scout Cub Troop. I received the highest (gold) level of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I co-founded Gen-Z, linking Toronto high school students to youth-focused businesses. The key to a great project is an intriguing topic. My project explores the impact of environmental stimuli on learning and how previous learning can be integrated to support future learning. I look forward to continuing to explore this theme while studying Software Engineering in university. |
| Evan Farrell, Max Kevin Kit Musing
Simulating Brains in Artificial Organisms
| Challenge: | Discovery | | Category: | Senior | | Region: | Toronto | | City: | Toronto, ON | | School: | Danforth Collegiate & Technical Inst. | | Abstract: | A computer simulation of an artificial ecosystem was developed to measure the impact of environmental pressure on the rate of learning in organisms. Increases in pressure, through limiting food supply, resulted in a higher rate of learning, up to a point. Too much pressure resulted in a greatly decreased rate of learning. |
| Awards | Value | Excellence Award - Senior
Bronze Medal
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | | University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship
Senior Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Ottawa | $1 000.00 | Western University Scholarship
Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Western University | $1 000.00 | | Total | $2 000.00 | |
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