Eight Student Teams Win 'Best in Nation' in National Verizon Innovative App Challenge

Strategic Insights -

Eight teams of middle school and high school students from across the United States have been named winners of the third Verizon Innovative App Challenge, a competition designed to inspire student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The winning teams will work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab to develop their app concepts into working applications, addressing issues such as teen suicide, dyslexia, unsafe driving, and global warming.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eight teams of middle school and high school students won the Best in Nation title in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge, tackling societal challenges like teen suicide, dyslexia, and global warming.
  • The winning teams will work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab to develop their app concepts into working applications.
  • The competition challenged student teams to develop mobile application concepts that address a need or problem in their communities or schools.
  • Tri-Tech Skills Center from Kennewick, Washington, developed Safe & Sound, an app that offers teens ways to manage stress and feelings of depression.
  • C M Rice Middle School from Plano, Texas, created Mind Glass, an app that offers students with dyslexia options for customizing text to make it easier to read and comprehend.
  • Meyzeek Middle School from Louisville, Kentucky, developed Log 'N Learn, an app that addresses the problem of unsafe and inexperienced driving among young drivers.
  • Cab Calloway School of the Arts from Wilmington, Delaware, created VirDoc, a virtual cadaver for students to dissect and learn anatomy.
  • Upper St. Clair High School from Pittsburgh developed A Look Inside, an app that allows elementary and middle school students to explore the inner workings of different inventions and machines through a virtual take-apart system.
  • Lime Kiln Middle School from Fulton, Maryland, created VolunteerMe, an app that provides information about volunteer opportunities in schools and communities.
  • Shades Valley High School from Irondale, Alabama, developed Vocal, an app that uses a calendar and social media to help people find and volunteer for causes they want to support.
  • Kyrene Aprende Middle School from Chandler, Arizona, developed Endurvinna, an app that sets up a competitive social media environment that encourages sustainable and green choices.

Statistics:

  • Eight teams of middle school and high school students won the Best in Nation title in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge.
  • The competition received over 1,000 entries this year.
  • More than 90 percent of the winners from last year's Innovative App Challenge expressed interest in pursuing STEM careers after learning coding and launching their winning app.
  • Over 26,000 apps developed during the first two years of the Verizon Innovative App Challenge have been downloaded.

Sources:

  • M2 PressWIRE - February 4, 2015
  • Verizon.com - Verizon Innovative App Challenge
  • MIT Media Lab - Center for Mobile Learning
  • Facebook - Verizon Foundation
  • Twitter - Verizon Giving