Build Something Cool

Brainstorm

PSYC 81.09: Storytelling with Data

Today's agenda

  1. What is a "neat demo"? — the Assignment 3 concept
  2. Example project ideas — inspiration to get you started
  3. Discussion — pair up and pitch ideas
  4. Workshop time — start building now!
  5. Assignment 3 release

What is a "neat demo"?

A neat demo is any working project you build using vibe coding — describing what you want in natural language and iterating with an AI coding agent.

Your project can be anything:

  • An interactive tool or data visualization
  • A simple game or simulation
  • A command-line utility or web app
  • A creative experiment that surprises you

The goal is to build something that works and to document your process.

Example project ideas

  • Interactive data dashboard — explore a dataset with sliders and filters
  • A simple game — tic-tac-toe, hangman, a quiz, a text adventure
  • A CLI tool — something that solves a real problem you have
  • A data visualization that tells a story — animated, interactive, or artistic
  • A web app — a personal homepage, a study tool, a recipe finder
  • Something weird — generative art, a chatbot persona, a music visualizer

Pick something that is fun AND impressive — you will be recording a demo video!

Discussion: pair up and pitch

What would be fun AND impressive to build?

  1. Find a partner
  2. Each person pitches 1-2 project ideas
  3. Help each other refine scope — what is achievable in a few days?
  4. Think about what would make a compelling 5-minute demo video

Remember: the point is the process of vibe coding, not just the final product.

Workshop time

Use the remaining class time to start your project. Tools you can use:

  • chat.dartmouth.edu — browser-based AI chat
  • Claude Code — AI coding agent in your terminal
  • speckit — structured project planning with AI

Ask for help from your classmates and from me. Experiment, iterate, and have fun!

Assignment 3

Build something cool using vibe coding and record a ~5-minute YouTube video of your workflow.

  • Use AI coding tools to build a working project
  • Record your screen as you work — show the back-and-forth with the AI
  • Your video should demonstrate both the process and the final product
  • Due: Monday, April 20

Resources

  • chat.dartmouth.edu — Dartmouth's AI chat interface
  • claude.dartmouth.edu — Claude access for Dartmouth students
  • Claude Code — AI coding agent (terminal-based)
  • speckit — structured planning tool for vibe coding projects
  • Course slides on vibe coding for reference

See you next time!

Questions? Want to chat more?

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💁 Come to office hours
  • Monday: Meet our social impact practicum partner, The Collaborative