Unitec competition challenges girls to create apps

The Unitec Institute of Technology is holding a competition to introduce high school girls to the world of computer science.

The 'Mobile App Competition for Girls' is being held for Year 11 to 13 female students to encourage creativity and innovation. The competition reflects a new focus of getting more women into the field of computing and information technology.

Entrants will need to have knowledge of App Inventor 2, which has been used for the past two years by Unitec to encourage high school students to take an interest in computing.

App Inventor 2 enables the development of applications for Android phones using a web browser and a connected phone or emulator. As the App is created, the App Inventor servers store the work, with the app appearing on the phone so work can be tested as the app is developed.

Judging criteria for the competition will be based on problem solving and innovation, the illustration of the idea, and feasibility including content and the user market.

The prize pool includes three grand prizes of a full three year tuition fee scholarship to study computing at Unitec, together with other prizes for winning contributions.

Registrations for the competition must be completed before 20th July 2014 at here.

The competition will be held at Unitec over the weekend of the 26th and 27th of July.