The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) at UC Santa Cruz is hosting its annual Tech for Social Good Project Showcase on Monday, May 19th, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM via Zoom. This virtual event will highlight five innovative student-led projects that received funding to develop technology-based solutions with meaningful community impact.
Featured Projects
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AI-Supported Virtual Reality for Grief Counseling: This project creates an immersive therapy experience using virtual reality and generative AI. It guides users through personalized, interactive storytelling with spatial audio and human-AI collaboration to support individuals coping with grief.
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Environmental NeTwork Sensors (ENTS): ENTS develops low-cost, customizable hardware for large-scale environmental monitoring in agricultural fields. The platform captures various sensor signals, providing an affordable alternative to proprietary technologies for farmers and researchers.
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Gateways Digital Literacy Program: This initiative provides digital literacy skills to incarcerated individuals, enhancing their opportunities for successful reintegration into society. The program also fosters community engagement among participants.
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Project Blueprint: In partnership with Your Future is Our Business (YFIOB), this project addresses the critical gap in career exploration for K-12 students in Santa Cruz County. The UCSC team has developed an assessment platform to provide career guidance and industry connections, particularly for underserved communities.
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Wildfire Management with UAV Systems: This project aims to revolutionize wildfire detection using multi-UAV systems equipped with advanced sensors. These sensors capture critical environmental data such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure to enhance early detection and management of wildfires.
Event Details and Registration
The showcase is open to the public, and registration is required. To attend, please provide your email address through the registration form. The event will be held on Zoom, with a link provided upon registration.
Future Funding Opportunities
For students interested in future funding, the application for the 2025-26 Tech for Social Good program will open in mid-November 2025. More information is available on the program website.
About CITRIS
CITRIS and the Banatao Institute create information technology solutions for society’s most pressing challenges. Established in 2001, the center leverages interdisciplinary research across multiple UC campuses and partners to advance the University of California’s mission and California’s innovative spirit. For more information, visit CITRIS at UCSC and CITRIS-UC.org.
