The Project Portfolio of Sebastian Wallach
Summer Programs
CCMI Dive Research Academy
In 2018, as a newly certified PADI Rescue Diver, I applied to a summer program in the Cayman Islands. One of the islands’ biggest problems today is that the surrounding reefs are dying due to changes in the Earth’s climate. The purpose of the research station where I spent a week was to monitor the coral reefs and their inhabitants around Little Cayman.
​
The main tactic the research institute uses to help restore these reefs is a process called coral outplanting. This process involves taking healthy coral from thriving reefs, growing it into larger colonies, and then attaching it to struggling reefs. By planting healthy coral onto unhealthy reefs, CCMI is able to revive marine life and bring the reef back to life.
​
During my week at the station, I attended classes and completed multiple dives each day, helping to grow and outplant coral on the local reefs. In addition to working in the coral nursery, I assisted scientists in collecting valuable data about marine life on different reefs around the island. On many dives, I tallied the number of different species of fish, coral, and crustaceans on each reef and reported the results to the data managers.
​
As a certified Rescue Diver, I thoroughly enjoyed contributing to the health of the reef I love so much.
Duke Summer Academy
Global Technology Entrepreneur
I participated in the Duke Summer Academy program in 2018, where I learned the basics of entrepreneurship. During the month-long camp, we developed essential skills needed to be effective entrepreneurs and were then challenged to create our own company. At the end of the program, we presented our companies to a board of mock investors, who ranked our projects and compared them to those of our peers.
​
After two weeks of developing a company called Clean Cover—a new and improved airplane tray table cover—my team and I placed second in the competition.
Cornell Robotics Program
After my sophomore year of high school, I applied to a program at Cornell University focused on coding and robotics. During the two-week camp, I learned the basics of coding in C++ as well as the fundamental skills needed to operate a robot using an Arduino. The ultimate goal for all participants was to build and program a robot capable of autonomously navigating a small maze.
​
After much trial and error—and many challenges in determining the best placement for sonar and line sensors—my team and I successfully built a robot that was able to travel through the maze almost perfectly.