The core objective of Panther Pals is to reduce the instances of students eating alone on campus. Many college students face challenges in forming connections, particularly during their first semester. The app addresses this issue by allowing users to browse scheduled lunch meetings, complete with details such as group names, locations, and times. Users can easily join existing meetings, create new ones, and filter options based on personal interests. This functionality not only encourages social interaction but also helps students build a sense of belonging within their college community.

This project was a collaborative effort between myself and my classmate, Stacy Cappelloni. I was responsible for the front-end design using Figma, where I crafted an intuitive and visually appealing user interface that enhances the overall user experience. Additionally, I coded the application in React Native, ensuring that it runs smoothly on various mobile devices. Stacy focused on the backend development, utilizing Google Firebase as our NoSQL database solution. She implemented the necessary server-side functionalities, including user authentication, meeting management, and real-time data updates.

In addition to its primary features, Panther Pals will include robust functionalities such as user authentication, meeting creation, and the ability to filter meetings based on interest tags. The app will also incorporate a testing plan to ensure reliability and functionality. Both unit testing and manual testing will be employed to verify that each feature operates as intended. By focusing on user experience and engagement, Panther Pals aims to create a vibrant community where students can connect, share meals, and forge lasting friendships.