Benjamin Larkin

About Me

Hello! My name is Ben Larkin and I am a Computer Science major at Arcadia University. I have experience working in Java and JavaFx, HTML and CSS, as well as many other programming softwares.

Coding has given me a unique way to bring ideas to life, combining creativity with problem-solving in a way that feels natural to me. Even before I started coding in middle school, I was always experimenting, whether it was playing with Snap Circuits to build different electronic projects or taking things apart just to see how they worked and putting them back together. I have always enjoyed figuring things out, even when I was just exploring out of curiosity rather than solving an actual problem. Over time I realized that programming offers the same kind of freedom, allowing me to create and explore new ideas in ways I never expected.

When I first took a coding class in school, I instantly enjoyed it and kept pushing myself to learn more. I continued taking programming courses throughout my education, including both AP Computer Science and AP Computer Science A in high school, each of which came with its own challenges, from heavy workloads to time-restricted assessments. But I've never been one to back down from a challenge. Whenever I got stuck, I turned to online resources like YouTube or programming forums to troubleshoot and expand my understanding.

Coding has become more than just a subject I study, it's something I do for fun. I like creating scripts and automation tools that make my life easier, improving my PC experience, and exploring new ways to solve problems through code.

Skills

Technical Skills: Unity, Microsoft Visual Studio/VS Code, IntelliJ, Blender, Photoshop, Procreate, Microsoft and Google Products
Programming Languages: Java, JavaFx, JavaScript, HTML, CSS
Operating Systems: Windows and MacOs

Projects

UniTrade

Unitrade is a concept website developed as a class project, where our group was tasked with coming up with an original idea rather than creating a fully functional site. Designed as a platform for university students to buy and sell used school supplies, the website is purely interactive, allowing users to navigate pages and input text but without storing data or enabling actual transactions. Our team of four collaborated to ensure a cohesive design and user experience, with each member focusing on specific sections while providing mutual support and feedback. I contributed to the development of the start page, home page, and settings page, while my groupmates worked on other sections, with all of us reviewing each other's work to maintain consistency across the site.

UniTrade Downloadable Files
Unitrade GitHub Repo

Start

Sign Up

Home

Sale

Settings

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Board of Community Assistance Project

Summer 2023

The Board of Community Assistance (BCA) is an organization in Upper Merion Township that was established in 2013 through a partnership with the Valley Forge Casino Resort. Its primary purpose was to provide financial assistance through grants to nonprofit organizations that benefited the residents of the township. The BCA also offered scholarships to high school students who planned to attend post-secondary education or training.

As part of my effort to give back to the community, I worked on a project to help close the "digital divide" in Upper Merion Township. This divide affected those who were unfamiliar with or anxious about using technology, often leading to barriers in accessing essential services and staying connected. To address this, I offered free technology help at the Community Center. I set up a help desk twice a week from May to August, providing one-on-one support for residents with common technology issues. Additionally, I created printed guides that addressed frequently asked questions and problems. This initiative aimed to ensure that everyone in the community, regardless of their comfort with technology, could navigate the increasingly digital world.

BCA Project Plan
Laptop Handout
Phone Handout

Help Desk

Helping

Labtop

Phone

Plan

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_{Developed by Ben Larkin & Gina Piccirilli}