In 2021, Porter High School held the first dance party since the outbreak of COVID-19. All was great until rumors of a possible school shooting circulated on social media. The air of excitement turned into panic and chaos as the rumor spread quickly.

“I never again want to see our friends panicking and crying because of a false alarm,” says Johann. Five students including Johann hoped to make sure the same thing never happens again.

Technology for students’ safety

With Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, the young’s hope began to take shape. Johann and his friends brainstormed ideas that could alleviate panics and made a design matrix to figure out what ideas provided students the most general security, implementation, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. As a result, they developed Pathfinder, an alert and evacuation system.

Based on the location of the perceived threat, Pathfinder guides the students on campus to safety, minimizing stress and rushed, irrational decision-making. “Our team created a prototype with STEM materials such as breadboard, neo-pixel LED lights, audio and light sensor,” says Lena.

Keep moving toward a safer future for all

The students further developed the prototype and verified its reliability with an extensive test. They also made sure that the system is sustainable – providing high energy efficiency and long life – while clearly illustrating the direction of evacuation as well as the proximity to danger with different colors.

Recognized for its feasibility and originality, Project Pathfinder won Solve for Tomorrow US in April 2022. “We reached out to industry experts in security and law enforcement. They believe Pathfinder is highly adaptable for not only schools but also other venues,” says River. “We hope Pathfinder can help prevent panic in various places and occasions.”