Earlier this year, nearly 500 techgirls set out in 124 teams across 6 states of Australia to compete in the 2016 Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero. The goal: to use technology to make the world a better place.
On the 18th of September, at the Queensland Showcase, the State Finalists were announced; two primary school teams and five secondary school teams. Two weeks later, on the 29th of September, the primary school and secondary school winners were announced at the New South Wales showcase.
Primary – team READING REPUBLIC
angelica, claire, sophia & sabrina
st philip neri catholic primary school
Reading Republic is a free reading application which encourages reading for young people through interactive quizzes, rewards, and avatars.
Reading Republic has an interactive library (with book reviews). The app aims to increase memory, vocabulary, written and analytical skills as well as stress reduction through mini-games.
In their business plan, the app designers identified “that children today are very active and stimulated. Reading Republic offers them valuable skills that they need in an interactive and interesting way and to share their excitement of reading with others”, and this is how they came up with the idea for their app!
Secondary – TEAM VOCABULARY VOYAGERS
kira, teale & delaney
st mary’s anglican girls’ school
Vocabulary Voyagers is a free literacy app targeted at primary school students to improve their literacy reading skills in a fun, digital environment. Vocabulary Voyagers has enjoyable mini-games and “quirky pirates” which aims to help children build a foundation to aid in literacy at a secondary level.
Vocabulary Voyager offers a range of present spelling lists based on the Australian curriculum, NAPLAN tests, and difficult words. In their business plan, the app designers identified that “in Australia, only 48.6% of students in year 6 attain the Proficient standard for NAPLAN… and that everybody should have the opportunity to enhance their spelling ability”, and this is how they came up with the idea for their app.
It was a superbly fun and inspiring day and congrats to all entrants in the competition, and to everyone who helped along the way including the teachers, mentors and judges. We could not have such a great program without you.
Cannot wait to see your entries in the 2017 Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero! Build your own future, techgirls 🙂