Henrico student's 'Camera Check Out' project helping Henrico schools
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At Deep Run High School, one group of students has worked to make a technological difference in their community through their service project, Camera Check Out.
Led by senior Jay Chauhan, a team of six peers has created a more efficient and cost-effective way for teachers and students, starting with those at Deep Run, to utilize photography equipment.
Chauhan noticed that his photography and communications teacher, Aurelia Dogoli, was struggling with the time spent on loaning equipment to students. Dogoli was working to keep track of students’ camera usage through a time-consuming process involving several steps for both her and the student.
The cameras allow students to work on school assignments and yearbook, but also on their own passion projects. Through his involvement with the Center for Information Technology in Henrico County Public Schools system, Chauhan was able to imagine a solution.
Working as a software consultant, Chauhan saw a place for his CIT project to make an impact on the wider Henrico County school district. In an interview with the Citizen, he said that the opportunity is a way to “give them experience with real-world problems.”
Chauhan and his team created an entirely new website that allows students to check out the cameras themselves, saying that “it has a projected 99% productivity boost for [Dogoli] and will save an estimated $15,000 in lost equipment.”
With the help of teachers in the CIT, the website has its own domain and can be accessed on any device across the web, and it will be available to every photography teacher in the county.
“I never expected it to get this far, but with the help of friends, family and some generous teachers, it’s been growing,’ said Chauhan. “I don’t want attention for myself, but I’d love for more people to hear about it so that others can get involved and the impact can reach more people who need it.”
