{"id":10574,"date":"2017-12-07T16:45:25","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T00:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goodnews.pylusd.org\/?p=10574"},"modified":"2017-12-08T11:33:38","modified_gmt":"2017-12-08T19:33:38","slug":"all-pylusd-middle-schools-battle-it-out-in-appjam-showcase-finale-at-pac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodnews.pylusd.org\/?p=10574","title":{"rendered":"All PYLUSD middle schools compete in AppJam+ Showcase Finale"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Wednesday, November 29, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) hosted the AppJam+ Showcase Finale at the Performing Arts Center. All six PYLUSD middle schools participated including Bernardo Yorba, Kraemer, Travis Ranch, Tuffree, Valadez, and Yorba Linda.<\/p>\n

AppJam+, an initiative of Dreams for Schools, paired PYLUSD middle school students from all six schools with college mentors from Computer Science and Engineering fields in order to expose them to mobile app development and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) career pathways.<\/p>\n

For ten weeks leading up to AppJam+ Showcase Finale, mentors from California State University, Fullerton, and University of California, Irvine, worked with PYLUSD students during two hour programming sessions twice a week. Forming teams of 4-5 students, the students utilize AppInventor to create a STEM related mobile app designated for a K-12 audience.<\/p>\n

To kick off the night, Superintendent, Dr. Greg Plutko, skyped in to welcome the audience and further emphasize the importance of STEM-based programs such as AppJam+. Following Dr. Plutko\u2019s words, the Executive Director of Dreams for Schools, Nithin Jilla, showed a brief introductory video and explained the layout for the evening. All 30 teams of students were then given the opportunity to present their mobile app creation on stage in front of a crowded audience and panel of contest judges.<\/p>\n

\"AppJam+<\/a>

Nithin Jilla of Dreams for Schools.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Following the students\u2019 presentations, audience members and judges were directed to walk to the El Dorado High School (EDHS) gymnasium where each team had a poster board and tablet available to show more in depth details about their apps.<\/p>\n

To finish off the night, students, audience members, and judges returned to the PAC to partake in the presentation of awards. Congratulations to the following teams for their winning projects:<\/p>\n

1st Place – RPG Crew, Yorba Linda Middle School
\n2nd Place – Team Mystery, Tuffree Middle School
\n3rd Place – Team Ninja, Tuffree Middle School
\n4th Place – Team Gaming Gods, Valadez Middle School Academy
\nBest Poster – The Survivors, Bernardo Yorba Middle School<\/p>\n

The first place team, including their mentor, were awarded Chromebooks for their efforts in developing the top rated app.<\/p>\n

\"AppJam+<\/a>

The winning team at the AppJam+ Showcase Finale — RPG Crew, Yorba Linda Middle School.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

This\u00a0program and event\u00a0could not be made possible without the vision of Cary Johnson, PYLUSD\u2019s Director of K-12 Innovation and Technology, and the support of competition judges and sponsors.<\/p>\n

To read more about the AppJam+ Showcase Finale courtesy of the Orange County Register, please follow the link below.<\/p>\n

Placentia-Yorba Linda district students design mobile apps, get idea of STEM career options<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n