A team of five students in South River High School’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math program was recently named among the top ten teams of the Verizon Innovate App Challenge.
“Study Buddy,” a mobile app aimed at increasing academic success by encouraging good study, organizational, and time management skills, is the award-winning creation of high school juniors Maryam Ermin-Sinanovic, Jasmine Hall, Gelsey Jian, Megan Prass, and Heritage Weems.
Earning top points for its innovative design, creativity, and practicality, the app allows students to schedule an exam or project date and to include intermittent reminders to study or complete tasks. Users may also add reference sheets, notes, games, and flash cards to a set event.
Through guidance and support from STEM math teacher Terry Roberts, team “Study Buddy” was able to beat out more than 470 teams from across the country. The students will now work closely with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab to enhance the project. In addition, Verizon will provide professional support and training to help the team bring their concept to market.
For their diligence, each student will also receive a tablet PC from Samsung. South River High School also gets a direct benefit of the team’s great work. In support of its STEM program, the school will receive a $10,000 Verizon Foundation grant.