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 teammembers 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
