For my Senior Capstone project, I created a web-based, full-stack chess engine in which users can play against AI opponents with adjustable difficulty levels. Throughout eighty hours, I built a JavaScript engine with 64-bit bitboard representations, a depth-limited minimax algorithm with alpha-beta pruning, and handcrafted evaluation heuristics for position scoring. I combined this with a React frontend that utilizes Chessboard.js for interactive play, and a Node.js/Express backend with WebSocket support to sync game state in real-time.

The project demonstrates Science Leadership Academy’s five core values: I used Inquiry to define driving technical questions, Research to learn about algorithms and network communication, Collaboration to work with classmates and gain feedback online, Presentation to present progress through code and blog entries, and Reflection to record problems and insights in a development journal.

Key milestones involved developing the core engine, altering evaluation logic, constructing a complex user interface in terms of CRAP design principles, real-time server communication implementation, and debugging performance. Issues like search bottlenecks and asynchronous message sequencing require technical problem-solving through pruning strategies and sequence tracking.

The project instilled in me fundamental skills in algorithm design, software architecture, and user-driven development. It also made me further appreciate the application of abstract theory through practical engineering.

GitHub Link: https://github.com/wosorio25/ChessEng

For my Capstone, I combined my passions for social justice and crafting with my engineering education. I designed and fabricated necklaces, keychains, and stickers to support three causes: Palestinian liberation, climate justice, and trans rights. The necklaces were laser cut, the keychains were sewn from upcycled clothes, and the stickers were drawn and printed. I sold these items at my school’s art show and donated all the profits to the following organizations: the Palestine Red Crescent Society, Philly Thrive, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Trevor Project. The total amount donated was $270. Overall, the process was more difficult than I had anticipated, due to several obstacles that came up. Luckily, I was able to overcome these, and still create a project I was proud of. The process taught me a lot about time management, creative skills, business, and advocacy. I am proud not only by the donation amount I collected, but by knowing people feel empowered through my art, and will continue to show it off even after I am gone.

Some pictures are featured below. Click this link to see the full folder of images documenting my project: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sDc3XRf2qhWirj0URFzNVv3dUJSShmve?usp=sharing

For my Capstone, I decided to make a website filled with educational games dedicated to elementary and middle schoolers. To first tackle this project I had to learn about Unity, a game engine. This required me to learn a new coding language, C# (C Sharp). My mentor guided me through this as I created my first game, Odds or Evens. Once I was in good standing I then moved on to my second game, Type Zombie. This game required me to learn about 3D models, model animation, and level building. Since this game was more complex than Odds or Evens I ran into a lot of bugs, which stemmed from coding errors. During this time I was also working on my website. This required me to learn about HTML, the coding language used for building websites. However, I used a website template and adjusted the HTML code to suit my website vision. Once I was in good standing with both of my games I was able to upload them to my website and have my SLA peers test and review my games. Though I worked hard to make these games fun and functional, the reviews showed that there are always improvements to be made. Through this capstone I was able to learn not only about game development but the education of kids today as well as how to make learning more enjoyable.

My Website: pandaproductions.net

Bugs I Encountered:

CTE Testing Day: