Parth Valecha's April Blog Post

Hi, I am Parth Valecha. I am working on a product called FreeBuds. By now, you probably have the basic idea of what the product is. It’s an mp3 player implemented into headphones for athletic use. I have already finished two mini-projects. One project isn't all that mini as it is a three page single-spaced essay. This essay talks about the benefits of my product, the quality and technology behind the product, and the marketing and attitude of the company. The quality and technology behind the product is not very deep but it gets the main
points of the product design. The marketing is interesting as it markets a way of life through the product rather than the product itself. My second project is based around the design and demands of the product. It is a comparison between all sorts of headphones. It shows how each headphone chosen relates to my product to get a basic idea of what the product will look like. It also has a section that describes what makes our product unique and in some cases better.

I am working on my third mini project right now. It is a 4 slide presentation. It touches on the benefits, product design, and marketing of the product. The first slide is just the intro slide. I made it rather flashy and poppy to show the attitude of our company. The second slide will in bullets describe the problem that the product solves. The third slide will have a diagram showing how the product will come together and work. The last slide will be a video of the dumb stuff I do with my friends. This slide shows the way of life that we try to market. This presentation will be used as a template for my final presentation.

Parth's Formative Project / Blog Post

Hi I am Parth Valecha. For the past month, I have been adding to my project on the FreeBuds headphones. I did some research on how to make a high-quality and durable set of headphones. On the product development side, I seem to be set. The design will be behind the neck to provide free motion, and the tips will be designed to stay in the ear and provide noise-isolation. There will also be two balanced drivers in each ear bud. One driver will support mid-high frequencies, and the other will support the bass. The stereos will be 13.5 mm to provide powerful and loud music. The layout of the buttons will also be designed to be easy to reach and fairly simple. I have recently started the marketing part.

For April, I’m going to start the marketing part. For the marketing, instead of talking about the marketing analysis and research, I’m going to talk about how my company is going to attract and appeal to our customers. What’s interesting about the marketing is that it is mainly based on a certain attitude relatable to our customers. Our customers are generally teens who play sports. What our company promotes is hard work and freewill, two things teens experience and live with throughout their high school lives. The way the people of the company live their life will reflect these two themes, and everything we do is in order to achieve these things. It will be very different from the bland marketing of today’s headphones industry. That is what I’m going to be working on for April.

Parth Blog Entry for March

Parth Valecha

Hi I am Parth Valecha. In the past couple months, I have been working on a headphones idea of mine. I have been researching different headphones and looked at what I can take from each headphone and each company to produce my product. I have been researching which tips provide the best noise isolation, which drives produce  crisp and balanced sound quality, and stuff like that. I also wrote about a page and a half on the benefits and functions that make my product so different and beneficial. I have recently started working on the product development side of my product and how it implements so many things into such a simple format and device. I hope to soon get a document out on how I would market and sell my headphones. I think Innovation Help Desk is pretty sweet. I like the independence as you can do really whatever you want. Sometimes that independence leaves me a little lost but that feeling is necessary in the business world. I feel like I can really get my thoughts out and develop and improve on them.

For phase two, I got an idea on how I’m going to present my idea. It’s going to be on a word document. It will have two parts, product development and benefits to customer. The first part will be pictures of a few headphones from other companies. Each headphone has a few bullet point on how I would like to implement it into my product. I might take the design of one headphone and the quality production of another. In the end, my product will be a mix of all the headphones. I do this to show what I have in mind and show that my product is viable. The second part will be an elevator pitch. This will focus more on the benefits and uses of my product rather than how it works.

From Support Squad To Innovators, Andover Weekly Article / Zachary Griffin

   Before the big February vacation, we at the Andover Innovation Lab had the honor of being interviewed by Dustin Luca at the Andover Townsmen regarding our class and where it fits into Andover High School. This was a great opportunity for the students and Mr. Downs and I to show off the potential a tech-based Help Desk class can have for its environment, and also a chance for the classes students to expose their amazing projects to the town of Andover.

    The interview was done at the end of the day during a fourth block, and we had a total of six students that are either a part of the Help Desk currently or where involved with us during the prior semester. Among those students were Eli Gukovsky and Viabhav Patel, who were both previous students, and current students such as Crispin Dowell, Peter Banta, Parth Valecha, and John Makiej. Each student was given the opportunity to present their projects to Dustin Luca along with their opinions on the Help Desk and its usage at Andover High among the faculty.

    The article was published on the Andover Weekly February 27, and was met with good reception by both the Andover community and the high schools faculty. As we continue to push technical support at the Innovation Lab, we will continue to give students opportunity's to learn more about their field and where they want to go after High School. The Help Desk exists to serve both the community and its students, and with the tech-savvy Mr. Downs and his knowledge on the direction technology is going, the Help Desk couldn't be in better hands.

If you want to see the article, you can view it on the link below:
http://www.andovertownsman.com/education/x1196458307/From-support-squad-to-innovators

Parth Valechas Andover Innovation Lab Project: Headphones Business Development

My name is Parth Valecha, a sophomore at the Innovation Help Desk. I've always loved listening to music and I always have a pair of headphones on me. I love headphones the same way some people love cars, or shoes. Even though I only have one pair, I'm always on the internet looking at new headphones from my favorite companies. I always want to listen to music, especially during rowing practice. I love rowing and

having some pump up dubstep helps so much. But the problem is carrying a phone and headphones with a cord is not only restrictive, its also dangerous. So because of my love for headphones and rowing, I aim to design headphones that I can row, run, swim, ad workout with without any problem. My solution is to have high performance and high stability headphones with a mp3 player inside it. I can play music straight from my headphones so a phone and wire is not necessary. It will be designed to provide complete comfort, and be exremely reliable at the same time. This way I can row while listening to my pump up music.

During the help desk, I have been researching marketing and product development information. I plan to soon develop a basic business plan on my idea. Im able to stay focused furing the help desk. Although I am not always extremely productive, I am able to get work done and go farther with my idea than I normally would with the help desk. It is really helpful, and without it I would never even think of writing a business plan on the idea already. Hopefully I can get my thought out on paper and show everyone the product I envision.

Student Profiles For The Help Desk-Spring Semester 2014

Name: Taha Vasowalla
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” ~ Socrates
Year in School: Sophomore
Interests/Hobbies:
Programming, Origami, Music, Science, Video Games
Why I joined the Andover Help Desk:
To be able to work more on Aquanotes and expand my programming skills
How I use technology in my free time:
I code, play video games, and make my math classes easier with programs on my calculator.
Programming Languages: Javascript, HTML, CSS, jQuery, Visual Basic, TI Basic
My work: 
http://taha.vasowalla.com/, http://www.aquanotesapp.com/
My other profiles:  
https://plus.google.com/u/0/104625167531547238137/posts 
https://www.facebook.com/taha.vasowalla
______________________________________________________________________________

Name: Maxwell Dowe
Year In School: 12
Hobbies:
Electronic music production, DJing, film review, hiking, skiing, reading,
Why I Joined The Help Desk:
I joined the help desk to create a music sharing/analysis blog to act mainly as a portfolio. I plan to use my blog to have something to show other music sharing/analysis blogs my writing ability.
How I Use Technology In My Free Time:
I use technology in my free time for a multitude of purposes. I use it to research and read about a multitude of topics ranging from (for example) sound engineering theory to Buddhist philosophy. I use it to produce original music and to operate my djing equipment.
My Work:
None
My Other Media Profiles:
N/A
          ______________________________________________________________________________
Name: Nick Wackowski
Year In School: Junior
Hobbies:
I love playing video games, mostly on my computer. I mostly play Indie and retro games, though I’ve been playing a lot of Just Cause 2, lately.
I started learning to play the piano a year ago. I’m not very good, but I enjoy it.
Why I Joined The Help Desk:
I had an extra Study block, and I thought it would be interesting to use it to work on my own projects. I enjoy programming and computers, so I figured that this would be a good chance to work more with them.
How I Use Technology In My Free Time:
http://img.pandawhale.com/post-24117-games-and-stuff-gif-FQHW.gif
I mostly use my computer to play video games and, as the older folks might say, ‘various shenanigans’. I recently made an account for Stumbleupon.com, which has been taking up a lot of my time.
My Work:
I went to an IDtech camp over the summer, where I made my first real game (a text-based pick-your-path adventure game). I also learned to use Hammer level editor. More recently, I've been experimenting with RPG Maker 2003, in hopes of making my own Chrono Trigger-style JRPG.
My Other Media Profiles:
My Steam name is ‘Scythe’ (though I’m considering changing it). I also use Gmail and YouTube frequently. I have a Facebook, but as of now, I hardly ever use it.
          ______________________________________________________________________________

          ______________________________________________________________________________

Name: Ben Hunt
Year in School: Junior
Hobbies:
I’d say I’m a big sports guy. I play hockey and soccer. I’m a fan of the Patriots, Celtics and especially the Bruins.
Why I Joined The Help Desk:
Technology is all around us. Before this class, I've taken computer science, graphic design, and I’m currently taking engineering. With every technology class I take, I see more and more of how present it is, and how significant it will be in the future. Having technology is great, but as I take more and more classes, I've gained interest for how everything works, and creating technology myself.
How I Use Technology In My Free Time:
I love playing NHL 14 on the PS3. I have my favorite songs, and apps on my iPod touch. I can also talk to my friends, or play other games on Facebook or other websites.
My Work:
I haven’t done much work with technology myself, but I really liked my graphic design and computer science classes. With graphic design, I've created logos, fake businesses and products, and using Photoshop and other programs. With my computer science classes, I've created GUI programs, debt programs, and further understood how technology gives and receives instructions.
Graphic Design Project:

______________________________________________________________________________
Name: Parth Valecha

Year In School: Sophomore

Hobbies:
Some hobbies of mine are rowing, listening to music, joining entrepreneurship clubs, and watching the stock market.

Why I Joined The Help Desk:
I want to experience the freedom, and all other components of being an entrepreneur. I also have an idea I want to work on and make a business plan on.

How I Use Technology In My Free Time:
I play video games on my Xbox a lot. I also play on my phone during math class. I’m not so interested in computers and programming as I am in making headphones, cars, or just another non-software product. I am always listening to music so I like to work with headphones.

My Work:
I don’t really have a job but I take honors classes. I also take enriched math. I prefer to do my own thing than work for someone else so instead of having a working job I sort of just research companies and add to the business I hope to make.

My Other Media Profiles: 
I have a facebook that I sometimes use. I rarely use my twitter or Instagram.
          ______________________________________________________________________________

Name: Katherine O’Kelly

Year In School: Senior

Hobbies:
  If there’s one word to describe my hobbies it’s eclectic; my resume of activities looks like a smorgasbord of unlikely juxtapositions, which reflects my affection for exploration. I guess you could say that my most consistent hobby is finding new hobbies. I have always enjoyed experimenting in different mediums or methods used to create and display ideological perspectives, which has led me to try pretty much everything from glassblowing to data analysis. Other than that, my  favorite hobbies include sleeping (ah, the fruitless pursuit of 8 hours a night) and traveling at every opportunity possible.

Why I Joined The Help Desk:
   I joined the help desk because I lack the expertise needed to really capitalize on the opportunities presented by the technology available today; in short, I’m depressingly technologically illiterate, and this pre-college time frame is an ideal chance to fix that. In taking this class, I’m hoping to learn a technological skill set (past your standard Google search) that will help further my endeavors going forward from high school.

How I Use Technology In My Free Time:
  What free time? Though I try to keep myself busy as often as I can, I've made an effort to integrate the effective use of technology into my everyday life, through tools such as Evernote, Office 365 and an increasing reliance upon my Windows Phone (which isn't as hipster as it sounds, I swear). On the rare occasion I DO have free time, I use technology as a digital museum of sorts, sifting through the internet to marvel at new artistic pieces, info graphics, music, and news—any sources of inspiration that could influence my next project.

My Other Media Profiles:
  None, yet; I don’t really make enough work in one particular subject area to maintain and upkeep a quality, content producing profile of any kind. Who knows, though—maybe if I ever settle upon a particular field I’ll start a blog or something.
          ______________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lee Lebensbaum

Year In School: Sophomore

Quote: "My past is like my logic, straight and true. Nothing’s changed. All I did was point the finger of justice in the proper direction." - Phoenix Wright (Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney)

Hobbies: Sleeping, video games, watching anime, reading manga, Pokémon, solving my computer problems with Taha, and cats, especially mine. My cat is the cutest cat, ever.

Why I Joined The Help Desk: Because I wanted to learn more about technology and its applications outside of gaming.

How I Use Technology In My Free Time: Video games and using my laptop for internet and playing... definitely legal video games that I downloaded for free.

My Work: Managing a page on Google+ (Daily Hetalia, you should follow it and give us +1s, not shameless advertising)

My Other Media Profiles:
https://plus.google.com/108483308297187970193
https://plus.google.com/b/107054030502361819664/107054030502361819664

______________________________________________________________________________

Name: Peter Banta

Year In School: Junior (11th)

Hobbies:
I enjoy doing track, basketball, and soccer. I also play a game called League of Legends with my friends pretty much every weekend because we all like it.

Why I Joined The Help Desk:
I wanted to practice using Maya 3D software because that is what I want to major in when I go to college.

How I Use Technology In My Free Time:
I usually only use my computer for playing video games and doing homework, and I don’t really use my phone that much.

My Work:
 I don’t have a job currently, but in the summer I might be working for Northrop Grumman with a family friend.

My Other Media Profiles:
 I have a Facebook which I use every day, but that is it.

______________________________________________________________________________

Name: Ian Macgregor

Year in School: 11th

Hobbies:

 I run track, read, play the piano, and do some drawing every now and then.

Why I Joined the Help Desk: 

I had a study I didn’t really need and wanted to get back into Maya, so being able to work on it during school seemed perfect.

How I Use Technology In My Free Time:

I use my computer for video games, music, communicating with friends, and looking up random things I’m curious about. I also have my phone, which I use when I’m bored or when I need to find out about something.

My Work: 

I don’t have a job right now, but during the summer I work as an aide at Kaleidoscope.

My Other Media Profiles: 

Facebook and Gmail are the only ones I really use.

______________________________________________________________________________

Name: Sara Adam

Year In School: Senior

Hobbies: 

I love baking. In July of 2010, my older sister and I started our own cupcake business called Beachside Bakers. Together we bake for private events, as well as teach cupcake decorating classes for young bakers in Andover. In the summer, we sell our cupcakes at a farmers market in Gloucester, MA. Also, I am a very crafty person and love making all different types of things from glitter covered mason jars, to shorts made from vintage jeans. I also row for Greater Lawrence Rowing, and love volunteering around the Andover community as a member of my church youth group.

Why I Joined The Help Desk:

 I joined the Help Desk because I wanted to learn how to create a website for Beachside Bakers. I already have ideas for how I want the layout to be, the color scheme, etc., but I was not sure how to begin. In college, I hope to major in Information Science and hopefully this Help Desk experience will help me be more successful in my career.

How I Use Technology In My Free Time: 

In my free time, I am actively involved on social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and my favorite of all, Pinterest. I also have accounts on these sites for Beachside Bakers, and am constantly baking and updating these sites for our followers. 

My Work: 

I designed the posters for the ACE Festival of Scarecrows this past fall, and I am now working on creating a new logo for the cupcake business.
_______________________________________________________________________

Name:  Crispin Wendell

Year In School:  9th Grade

Hobbies:
Skiing, fencing, computer programming, games

Why I Joined The Help Desk:
I wanted to learn Java

How I Use Technology In My Free Time:
Games, social networking, computer programming,

My Work:
N/A

My Other Media Profiles:

Facebook, Twitter Snap chat, Instagram, Vine