St. Theresa School wins $5,000 in Verizon Innovative App Challenge
St. Theresa School in Palatine, recently won the best in state submission for the Verizon App Challenge. Only one middle school and one high school team are chosen as the Best in State winners. St. Theresa School Technology teacher, Mrs. Janine Nicolas assigned this project as part of the 7th grade technology curriculum. Students were to design an app that addressed a current social issue in their school or community. To enter the contest, students were in groups of six. They designed an app and created a video with a written essay describing the app.
There were more that 1,200 app concept submissions in this highly competitive contest. The STS middle school winning app that was designed is called "Detect2Protect." The app gives parents access to what their children are posting and receiving on social media. Because social media can be interpreted in many ways, having an app where parents can monitor activity helps them support their kids before it becomes dangerous, or a problem for them. Apps were judged based on the clear definition of the problem, and the creativity of the app design.
St. Theresa School won a $5,000 grant for their technology program and each of the 6 students on the design team won a LG tablet. The school was also awarded a "Best in State" plaque. St. Theresa School is also eligible to be named the App Challenge Fan Favorite Award winner. TEXT DETECT2 to 22333 The team that receives the most votes via a crowd voting will receive a $15,000 grant to further enhance the school technology education.
"We are so proud of all the work that was submitted by our 7th grade students. I hope that we win Fan Favorite for our school. We are excited about the next level of competition that the students will progress too, and their chance to have their app created by MIT!" said Mrs. Nicolas.
St. Theresa School and has been educating children in the Palatine area for over 60 years. They offer programs in early childhood through 8th grade. To learn more about the school or to schedule a tour the campus visit www.sttheresaschool.com or call (847) 359-1820. The Admissions office will be hosting an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday January 31, 2016 from 12:30p - 2:00p.