There’s an app for that … and Bob Jones students wrote it

(RECORD PHOTO/JOHN ALLEN)
(RECORD PHOTO/JOHN ALLEN)

MADISON – A software app designed at Bob Jones High School may keep people from dawdling around and putting off the inevitable.

The Technology Student Association at Bob Jones earned Best in State in the Verizon Innovative App Challenge. “At least 35 states participated,” sponsor and engineering teacher Jeremy Raper said. “Students took a digital calendar, Twitter and gaming “and rolled it all into one usable app.”

Their app, X-Procrats, helps to combat procrastination. “Using social networking and peer pressure, a calendar (issues) reminders and provides incentives, like points, coins and badges for completing on time or even early,” Raper said. “Your ‘friends’… can encourage you in creative ways.”

Last fall, technology groups in middle and high schools nationwide began work for the Verizon challenge. Projects were due in January. Two six-member teams at Bob Jones entered.

Team members attending the tourney were Rain Li, Joey Dickerson, Brody Silva, Siddhu Srikakolapu, Victoria Van and Paul Yi.

“The app challenge pulled from several skill sets,” Raper said. “Students had to creatively (design) an original app that people would want to use. They researched whether the app already existed and surveyed fellow students” to gage interest. A storyboard sketch defined the app’s functions and helped students to record a video using Prezi software.

Judges received all entries with the Innovation Portal (innovationportal.org) with no interaction with students. Using the site for the first time, Bob Jones students “had to clearly communicate their ideas without being present. What a challenge!” Raper said.

Any student can join the Technology Student Association, which promotes technical fields and is officially sanctioned by the Alabama State Board of Education for Career Tech Education. Competitions can involve fashion, music, building, designing and constructing.

After final evaluation, the top five high and middle school teams in the Verizon challenge will receive $10,000. Each participating student will receive a new Samsung Galaxy and a trip to the national Technology Student Association convention to present their app.

For more information, visit appchallenge.tsaweb.org.

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x