Hampstead Academy Students Win National Mobile App Design Competition; Will Work With Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab to Develop Apps

Verizon’s National Innovative App Challenge Aimed at Boosting Students’ Interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

HAMPSTEAD, N.H.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– A team of eighth grade students from Hampstead Academy are winners of a national competition to develop mobile applications that address a need or problem in their school and community. Their Chow Checker app concept is one of 10 winning designs. The app will help people with food allergies avoid foods and ingredients they are allergic to – such as milk, eggs, peanuts and shellfish.

The Verizon Innovative App Challenge was created by the Verizon Foundation in partnership with the Technology Student Association to help boost student engagement and interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The students were asked to use their STEM skills to design app concepts that provided real-world solutions for issues in their communities or schools.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab will continue to work with the Hampstead Academy “Chow Checker” team to refine their project. Verizon will provide the teams with professional support and training to help bring their concepts to market. The final products will be made available for download from Google’s Play Store. In addition, Hampstead Academy will receive a $10,000 Verizon Foundation grant to advance STEM education at their school, and each team member will receive the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, courtesy of Samsung Mobile.

“The Hampstead Academy students’ work on the App Challenge is further proof that innovative ideas can be found and fostered everywhere, and at any age,” commented Christine Berberich, regional president for Verizon Wireless. “We’ve all seen examples of young inventors and entrepreneurs turning their ideas into life-changing solutions, and the ‘Chow Checker‘ team has thought of a way to help those living with food allergies. We look forward to following the student’s progress as they leverage mobile technology to bring their concept to fruition.”

“The Verizon Innovative App Challenge demonstrated how STEM can be utilized in a classroom setting with all students, not just those who may have an aptitude for science and math,” stated Chris Sousa, Grade 8 faculty advisor for the winning Chow Checker app at Hampstead Academy. “The Challenge completely engaged our diverse …read more

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