Spark Students’ STEM Interests with Verizon’s 3rd Annual Innovative App Challenge
One of the best ways to get kids interested in STEM fields is to include them in hands-on activities that let them get a real feel for the creative processes that go into STEM problem solving. The Verizon Innovative App Challenge is calling teams of middle school and high school students to dream up and create concepts for mobile apps that could solve problems in their schools and communities.
One of the winning teams from last year, which was an all-girl team, developed an app called Hello Navi, which assists visually impaired people who are trying to navigate inside buildings — the app was inspired by a blind classmate. Maggie Bolando, the girls’ team advisor, said “The Verizon App Challenge shows what regular kids can do if you challenge them to problem solve and believe in them. Before entering the App Challenge, I never dreamed my students would develop an app that would earn such recognition – they were even invited to the White House Science Fair and demonstrated their app in person for President Obama.”
Created by the Verizon Foundation in partnership with the Technology Student Association, The Verizon Innovative App Challenge encourages students to develop ideas and concepts for mobile apps. Judging is based on whether the ideas solve challenges in the students’ communities, include STEM principles and are creative, unique and innovative.
The deadline for submission is November 24th and winners will be announced in January 2015. Students do not need any coding or mobile experience to enter. Eight teams will be named Best in Nation with rewards of $20k each and new Samsung tablets for each team member.
Register or learn more at verizonfoundation.org/appchallenge.