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Timer Page
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Garden Page
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Garden Page 2
Inspiration
This app was inspired by the need to reduce distractions and help students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute stay on track with their tasks. We know that staying committed to work can often feel monotonous, so we drew inspiration from gaming apps to create a platform that not only helps users focus but also rewards them for their productivity.
What it does
We named the app 'Gompeidoro' as a tribute to Worcester Polytechnic Institute's mascot, Gompei. This app puts a fun twist on the traditional pomodoro timer. In addition to the usual work and break intervals, it integrates a reward system where users grow a mini garden. Each completed pomodoro cycle rewards the user seeds to plant in the garden, encouraging productive habits while adding a playful element to the process.
How we built it
We built the Gompeidoro Timer project using Visual Studio Code as our primary development environment. We used HTML to structure the app’s pages, CSS to style the layout and make the interface user-friendly, and JavaScript to implement the core functionality, like the Pomodoro timer and the reward system. Throughout the process, we focused on writing clean, efficient code while collaborating closely to ensure all features came together smoothly. With the help of version control through Git, we were able to manage changes, track progress, and resolve conflicts as a team.
Challenges we ran into
The initial idea was to create a browser plugin. However as we brainstormed more features, we realized that a plugin would not be enough to host all of our ideas.
One major challenge we faced was effectively managing version control. While most of us were familiar with the basics of Git and GitHub, this hackathon marked our first experience handling push and pull requests on a larger scale. We ran into issues like merge conflicts, coordinating contributions, and ensuring a smooth workflow across different branches.
We also experimented with Figma's developer mode to improve our user interface, but the code it generated didn’t align with our vision for Gompeidoro. Additionally, it was our first time working with external APIs, particularly when implementing the Gemini-powered chatbot.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re really proud of what we accomplished during the hackathon. We built a working version of the Gompeidoro Timer, with a Pomodoro timer and a reward system where users grow a mini garden. Our team worked well together, managing version control, resolving conflicts, and coordinating contributions. We also created a fun and interactive user interface that combines productivity with rewards. Along the way, we learned new technical skills, especially in working with external APIs, including integrating the Gemini-powered chatbot. Most importantly, we adapted our vision and delivered a functional product within the hackathon timeframe.
What we learned
In addition to learning web development, many of our teammates learned JavaScript, CSS, and HTML for the first time, as well as how to use Git for version control. Throughout the hackathon, we had to narrow our scope to deliver a functional prototype, which meant prioritizing core features and simplifying some aspects of the design. It was a learning experience for us to figure out how to prioritize tasks features to be added during the development process.
What's next for Gompeidoro Timer
We plan to continue improving the Gompeidoro Timer by adding features like student analytics, an enhanced rewards system, and other expansions. We will also focus on refining the current features. Additionally, we are exploring the possibility of shifting to a different platform, such as Unity engine, to develop the features that weren’t feasible through web development.
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