St. Theresa School Wins $5,000 in Verizon Innovative App Challenge

St. Theresa School (STS) 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. STS Technology teacher, Mrs. Janine Nicolas assigned this project as part of the 7th grade technology curriculum. In groups of six, students were to design an app that addressed a current social issue in their school or community, create a video, and write an essay describing the app.

There were more than 1,200 app concept submissions in this highly competitive contest. he STS middle school winning app 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.

STS won a $5,000 grant for their technology program, each of the 6 students on the design team won a LG tablet, and the school was awarded a “Best in State” plaque. STS is also eligible to be named the App Challenge Fan Favorite Award winner. The team that receives the most votes via a crowd voting will receive a $15,000 grant to further enhance the school technology education. (To vote: TEXT DETECT2 to 22333). “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 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 of the campus, visit http://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.

Picture caption:

From left to right bottom row: Alyssa Yankee, Christine Kobilarcik,

Top row: Gianna Paul, Makayla D’Ambrosio, Madison Neamand, Calista DiVito