Museum of Science and Industry

THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, CHICAGO LAUNCHES THE SUMMER APP CHALLENGE

Teens can compete to have their mobile app concept produced by MSI

CHICAGO (May 24, 2011)—The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) is looking for the next great teen designer to help the Museum build a mobile app.

In honor of the Museum’s YOU! The Experience exhibit, which celebrates overall health and wellness in a fun, engaging way, the Museum is challenging young people to design an app that will motivate teens to get up and move, using a mobile phone! Five finalist ideas will be built into working prototypes, and one winning concept will be professionally produced and published as an iPhone and Android app by MSI.

MSI’s Summer App Challenge is open to individual teens entering grades eight through 12 in the 2011-2012 school year. Those entering the contest don’t need backgrounds in technology, digital design or even fitness or sports—they just need a good idea that gets teens physically active in whatever way they like.  Entrants are asked to submit a proposal similar to what a professional designer would create—with an overview of the concept, its goals, user research that supports the idea and storyboards of how it all would work. The concept could be anything—as long as it encourages teens to improve their fitness and think about exercise in a modern, engaging and digital way.

“The Summer App Challenge is great way for teens to use their creativity in a new medium while gaining real-world project skills,” said Steven Beasley, MSI’s director of Digital Media. “We also want to encourage kids to think of themselves at producers, not just consumers, of new media. We are really looking forward to seeing the great, original concepts that come our way.”

Entries are accepted online from now until Friday, June 24, 2011. Five finalists, selected by Museum staff with the help of an online vote from applicants, will be announced by mid-July. From there, each of these five concept winners will receive a $250 Amazon gift card—and the chance for their idea to be developed into working mobile app prototypes by teams of previously selected teen developers. One prototype will be chosen to be professionally produced and published as an iPhone and Android app, available free from the Museum in the coming months.

Teens interested in participating in MSI’s Summer App Challenge should visit msichicago.org/appchallenge for full details and how to enter.

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) offers thousands of fun and interactive exhibits and one-of-a-kind, world-class experiences to inspire the inventive genius in everyone. Through its Center for the Advancement of Science Education, MSI also aspires to a larger vision: to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, medicine and engineering. Come visit and find your inspiration! MSI is open every day except December 25, and regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Museum is supported in part through the generosity of the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, find MSI online at msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414 or (800) GO-TO-MSI outside of the Chicago area.

Press Materials

• Summer App Challenge Press Release (PDF)

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