Eagle Scout Project’s App Would Direct Electric Car Owners to Charging Stations

CREST HAVEN – Eagle Scout projects have varied widely in Cape May County, flagpoles, meditation gardens, firefighter memorials and handicap ramps among them. All were physical; they took muscle and sweat to create. That will change when Upper Township Troop 79’s Michael Doliszny creates a free cellphone app for his Eagle Scout project. 
The 17-year-old Ocean City resident, son of Robert and Kristina Doliszny, dazzled freeholders Jan. 9 with an explanation of the app he intends to design by March.
To describe Doliszny as goal-oriented would be appropriate since he stated without wavering, “It is my intention to complete the Eagle Scout Project and be awarded the Eagle Scout Award Court of Honor by May of 2018.”
As future tourists arrive in the county with electric car batteries in need of charging, Doliszny’s app would direct them to the nearest electric vehicle charging post.
Doliszny is a junior at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland who boards the school bus at 6:30 a.m., according to his mother.
“I have a passion for technology, computer science and an interest in pursuing a specialty in Artificial Intelligence as a career path,” he told the board. That love, he noted, grew from attending a coding class at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) two years ago.
He said he was one of 15 students who was accepted to a competitive iOS Bootcamp and Swift Development with Mobile Makers Academy at Northwestern University in the summer of 2017 where “I learned to code and develop mobile apps. As a result, I would like to apply my skills and passion for technology in creating a project that serves my community.”
Doliszny cited the public’s growing acceptance of electric vehicles, which are winning popularity as their prices decrease and mileage increases between charges.
In January, he noted, there were “over 24 new models available, across all price categories of affordability,” according to Car Driver Report.
He intends to seek funding from businesses to defray the cost of app development. Any money left over at the end of creation would be donated to a local veterans’ organization.
In line with his unwavering commitment to make his app a reality, Doliszny told freeholders he would like to present it to them in March. That timeline would be achieved because he intends “to carve out time every weekend/holiday to work on my project until it’s complete.”
Once donated to the county, he said, the county could freely distribute the app to municipalities and chambers of commerce.
“Currently, there are a couple of paid app services and subscriptions available for locating a station, but there are no free apps available to the public,” Doliszny said.
“I believe this free service could serve the greater public good by helping local county citizens and second homeowners, as well as the thousands of tourists who visit our barrier islands every year.”
Doliszny sought the board’s endorsement because he noted, it was that nod that would permit him to secure support from business owners and citizens.
For a business’ contribution, Doliszny said he would offer that firm “an opportunity to advertise their business or organization on my app for free during the first six months.”
Another facet of an Eagle Scout project is to collaborate with others to assist in the completion of the task.
He plans to “reach out to a few experienced web developers to assist me with any components of development” with which he may be unfamiliar.
He also plans to consult his AP (Advanced Placement) Computer Science teacher for guidance as well as “other instructors of web and mobile app development.
“The intention of my app is to meet the needs of the growing population of electric car owners by providing them a free service to assist them in locating electric car charging stations throughout the county.
“Hopefully as a positive consequence, the added benefit will be the creation of public perception that Cape May County is in sync with the changing world of technology and is supportive of the public’s need to adapt to those technologies,” Doliszny said.
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton said the project won board approval and also urged Doliszny to get his app registered and patented so no one could steal his idea.