This was posted to the AP Computer Science mailing list. I thought it was worth posting here for people not on that list. Looks interesting.
Introducing the Second Verizon Innovative App Challenge
Specifically focusing on middle school and high school-age participants, the Verizon Innovative App Challenge, which launched in 2012, is a collaborative competition created to encourage students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). As we are all aware, student achievement in STEM is critical to U.S. economic growth and competitiveness on the global stage. Last year, over 1,000 schools from every state and Washington DC registered for the Verizon Innovative App Challenge and over 470 teams submitted app concepts that solved for social issues. More so, over 3,000 students were engaged in this challenge and over 50% of the winning team members were girls. Winning teams presented their apps at the 2013 Technology Student Association National Conference in Orlando, FL in June.
This second Verizon Innovative App Challenge, which offers up to $20,000 grants for winning schools and a Samsung Galaxy Tab for each winning team member, has also been designed to engage students, provide them with valuable new skills and experiences and open their eyes to exciting new possibilities in STEM for their futures.
Here’s how it works.
Working with a faculty advisor, students in teams of 5 will develop an original concept for a mobile app that incorporates STEM and addresses a real need or problem in their school or community. Because students are judged solely on their submission of a unique and creative concept, we hope to pique the interest of those who otherwise would not participate in a technology challenge. Registration for the Challenge opens on September 3rd, 2013 and all submissions must be completed by December 3rd, 2013.
The Verizon Innovative App Challenge is proudly sponsored by the Verizon Foundation in partnership with the Technology Student Association (TSA) and Samsung.
For more information see http://appchallenge.tsaweb.org
The Verizon App Challenge is an absolutely AMAZING project. It requires hours of hard work, determination, learning to work as a team, innovation, accepting failure and starting over...but it is well worth EVERY SECOND that your child will put in to it. As a parent to 2 members of a winning middle school team, i cannot recommend/suggest/approve of this challenge enough. ( advisors be forewarned.... you will ALSO be VERY involved! Our two ladies were absolutely amazing !!)
ReplyDeleteOur entire community was energized when our team became one of the top 10 in the nation. The publicity that the winning team received was astounding..and has sparked the interest of other middle school children in STEM. This year new students joining our middle school TSA chapter more than doubled. The new enthusiasm for 'nerd stuff" is FANTASTIC!!
Thanks, Verizon!!!