Cedar Hill Prep Participates In The Verizon App Challenge — Here Are The Results!

Nan Menon

Verizon App Challenge! Apps are changing everything today. Not only do they solve problems, but they have altered gaming, music and education. Cedar Hill Prep students recently entered the Verizon App Challenge, where students are encouraged to submit their ideas for apps in the form of a video pitch. The winning apps will then be developed by MIT students.

Verizon App Challenge

Needless to say, our students were excited! We were blown away by their creativity, imagination and their consideration for others as they set out to solve real-world problems. Here are the entries:

Verizon App Challenge | Dyslexia

In the US, 20% of students are struggling with reading or writing and 62% of dyslexic non-readers will drop out of school.

Kinesis is an app that is better than iBooks or Kindle as it lets readers who are struggling to read a certain text choose a dyslexic-friendly font. Studies have shown that sans-serif, monospaced, and Roman fonts are easier to read than, for example, italic fonts. Have a look:

Verizon App Challenge | “Litter Buzz” 2015

Litter Buzz is an app that alerts people when they litter and helps keep the environment clean by awarding rewards to environmentally-friendly students who clean up after themselves and others. By using satellites, the app can even locate the closest trashcan. Have a look:
 
 

Verizon App Challenge | Online Einstein

What do terminally ill children want? The same things as healthy ones: friends, companions, and an opportunity to learn and socialize. The Online Einstein app solves this problem. Children who have to be in a hospital for a long time miss their friends and become lonely without regular social interaction. With Online Einstein, these children have an opportunity to learn in a virtual school and interact with other kids. The kids meet at set times (e.g., lunch time), hang out, and chat. They can review homework or help each other out. Take a look:
 
 
We were not only impressed by how creative (and research based) these ideas were, but that they tackled such big problems in a kind, empathetic and compassionate way! Well done, Verizon App Challenge, well done!