An app-making competition that was a small, face-to-face gathering pre-Covid has developed into a global online event with hundreds of teams from more than 80 countries. Contestants last year ranged from age 4 to 82, with the bulk middle- and high school age.
Registration for the 2022 App Inventor Appathon for Good is now open and runs until June 21. The event itself takes place in the last two weeks of July, starting on the day themes are announced.
“Each year, we set specific themes related to solving real-world problems with code — computational action, in other words,” says App Inventor curriculum designer Robert Parks. “But it’s important to note that your idea also should be something you’re passionate about. Your team will only be motivated by working on a problem that touches your own life or community.”
An expert panel of over 100 judges inside and outside MIT considers entries based on design, technical skill, impact, and other criteria. Team and individual winners receive certificates from MIT as well as recognition on the App Inventor page.
“The Appathon’s always a great summer outlet for kids,” says App Inventor principal investigator Hal Abelson. "We believe there are apps out there just waiting to be launched, sitting in kids' brains — apps that can help people find new ways to coordinate, care for each other, make sense of data, or activate solutions in ways we cannot yet imagine."
In conjunction with the Appathon, the App Inventor Foundation is hosting the first Teacher Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding teachers who have promoted creativity, technological empowerment, and computational action. Participants who join the Appathon will be able to nominate a teacher with a supporting story and optional videos or photos. Honorees will be announced at the end of August.
For more information, go to appathon.appinventor.mit.edu.