Yes! We'll Have an App for That
January 25, 2012 - Apex High students will soon begin developing mobile apps, thanks to a new partnership with Lenovo, the National Academy Foundation (NAF) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Superintendent Tony Tata joined leaders from Lenovo and NAF in announcing the new partnership Tuesday at Apex High.
"Our schools are strong because we have great partnerships with business and industry,” said Superintendent Tata. “This unique program gives our students practical experience with innovative technology at a time when they're making decisions about their future careers. We're creating the next generation of entrepreneurs."
A recent survey of American teens confirms that students recognize the potential impact of apps. With more than one million apps already created and more being developed every year, students will need the skills and talents to keep pace with demand.
While 80 percent of American teens are interested in learning how to create their own mobile app, only 60 percent are confident that the technology know-how they have now is enough to secure a good job upon entering the workforce.
Apex High students are building their technology background in the school’s Academy of Information Technology. This new partnership with Lenovo will encourage greater student interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects and will strengthen 21st century skills.
“To succeed in tomorrow’s workforce, students need a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with fluency in the technologies that will power the global economy,” said Michael Schmedlen, worldwide director of education, Lenovo. “This exciting program engages students via the technology and apps they use every day. By partnering with the National Academy Foundation, we’re delivering a rigorous and relevant curriculum that will help create our next generation of developers and entrepreneurs.”
The mobile apps course is designed to be implemented as either a 12-week after-school or “out-of-school time” activity to supplement the NAF-developed IT courses students take during the school day, or as an in-class curriculum. Student teams will develop an idea for a new mobile app and a plan to bring it to market. Each school will select one idea to be judged by a panel of experts, and Lenovo will work with the winning school to possibly bring their app to life.
To help Apex High implement the curriculum, Lenovo provided a package of technology products, including Android-based ThinkPad Tablets and large format ThinkCentre HD All-in-One desktops, among other items.
Apex High offers students a course of study in its Academy of Information Technology , part of the NAF network and one of 10 different WCPSS high school academies.
Students across Wake County have the opportunity to study in career academies at WCPSS high schools. The school system offers Athens Drive High Health Sciences, Broughton High Transportation, Enloe High Medical Bioscience, Enloe High Design and Merchandising Technology, Knightdale High Environmental Studies, Middle Creek High Digital Media, Sanderson High Finance, Southeast Raleigh High Engineering, and Wake Forest-Rolesville High Construction Technology.
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