Four PUSD Pathways Teams Place in National Apps Competition

 

NEW YORK & RALEIGH, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lenovo, a leading global technology company, together with NAF, a nonprofit organization focused on high school education, today announced the winners from NAF academies participating in the fourth annual Lenovo Scholar Network National Mobile App Development Competition.

The competition and app development program encourages greater interest among underserved high school students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) while providing them with the high-tech skills to succeed in the 21st century. In this competition, teams of students from more than 100 NAF academies across the U.S. spent months developing mobile apps that will be of service in their classrooms and communities. The results every year are a testament to the students’ talent, innovation, and originality in applying their classroom-learning to solve a real-world issue.

Four Porterville Unified School District teams placed on the Top 50 Apps list with two teams from the Harmony Magnet Academy AOE (Academy of Engineering) Pathway earning honorable mention (overall score). The HMA apps were Water Tracker (users can track their own water footprint by entering their daily water activities) and Feel Better (users can view lighthearted images to help uplift one’s mood).

Monache High’s MTA (Multimedia and Technology Academy) Pathway placed one team in the Top 50 Apps list (Finding Home for Animals) while Granite Hills High’s CODE (Computer Operations and Development Education) Pathway also placed on the list (Quick ASL).

A panel of more than 200 judges selected the six winners. Panelists included representatives from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), members of education and tech media, Lenovo leadership, and NAF corporate partners including Intel, Moody’s and Citi, as well as NAF alumni. The winning teams will present their apps at NAF’s annual teacher development conference, NAF Next 2018, in Washington DC, July 8-11.

“Fan Favorite” voting opens will be open through July 10. The winning team will also receive state-of-the-art technology, courtesy of Lenovo. Visit the Lenovo Scholar Network site to view the top 6 and to vote.

To learn more about the Lenovo Scholar Network and follow along with students’ app creation journey, visit http://lenovoscholars.com/ or check out #LenovoScholars on social media. The 2018-19 school year will mark the fifth year of the Lenovo and NAF partnership and the Lenovo Scholar Network, with more than 6,000 students participating from NAF academies across the U.S. 

Quotes:

“The mobile app competition is especially meaningful because the students use creative thinking to develop innovative solutions through their mobile apps to address challenges they experience in their communities. We believe that can inspire them to pursue STEM studies and careers. Lenovo is proud to support NAF, and to help introduce students nationwide to critical skills in technology that will only grow in significance in the future.” -Matt Zielinski, president Lenovo North America

“Year after year, we are constantly amazed by the hard work and innovative thinking that our Lenovo Scholar Network students invest in their app creations. Not only are they sharpening their STEM skills and learning how to be leaders in their classrooms, but they are also serving their communities. Congratulations to the 2018 winning teams and all who participated and thank you to Lenovo for their continued commitment to ensure that high school students are future ready!” -JD Hoye, president, NAF 

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$45 billion Fortune 500 company with a vision to become the global leader in Intelligent Transformation through smart devices and infrastructure that create the best user experience. Lenovo manufactures one of the world’s widest portfolio of connected products, including smartphones (Motorola), tablets, PCs (Thinkpad, Yoga, Lenovo Legion) and workstations as well as AR/VR devices and smart home/office solutions. Lenovo’s next generation data center solutions (ThinkSystem, ThinkAgile) are creating the capacity and computing power for the connections that are changing business and society. Lenovo works to inspire the different in everyone and build a smarter future where everyone thrives. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Weibo, or visit us at http://www.lenovo.com/

About NAF

NAF, is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure that high school students are college, career, and future ready.

NAF works with high need communities to transform the high school experience through an educational design that includes industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals, culminating in a paid internship. NAF academies fit within and enhance school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan for higher achievement at a low cost. NAF academies focus on one of five career themes: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2017-18 school year, over 100,000 students attended 644 NAF academies across 36 states, including DC and the US Virgin Islands. In 2017, NAF academies reported 97% of seniors graduated with 90% of graduates planning to go to college. For more information, please visit: http://naf.org/

Contacts Media:
Lenovo
George Farthing, (919) 257-6242
[email protected]

or

NAF
Courtney Savoia, (646) 896-3881
[email protected]

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