More than 100 middle school students combined technology, creativity and compassion during the SparkNC and Communities In Schools App Building Challenge, which concluded Friday, July 10, with students presenting their ideas to family members.
Throughout the challenge, student teams were asked to design an interactive app prototype that could help support teen mental health. Before beginning the design process, students interviewed a school counselor to learn more about the challenges teenagers experience and the types of resources and support that can make a meaningful difference.
Using Thunkable, a platform that allows users to build mobile applications, students transformed what they learned into working app prototypes. Their designs featured a variety of tools intended to promote healthy coping strategies and emotional well-being, including soothing music, calming games, artificial intelligence chatbots, exercise and movement suggestions, sleep support, journaling tools, breathing exercises, mindfulness activities and healthy habit trackers.
Students then presented their projects through a “Shark Tank”-style pitch, explaining the purpose of their apps, demonstrating key features and sharing how their designs could help other young people.
After all projects were reviewed, four teams advanced to the Pitch Day finals, where family members voted for their favorite app. William and Niaria of West Pender Middle School earned the top honor for their team’s design.
While the challenge gave students an opportunity to strengthen their app-development and presentation skills, its impact extended beyond technology. Participants practiced empathy, collaboration, creative problem-solving and public speaking as they worked together to address an issue affecting young people.
The challenge demonstrated how technology can become a powerful tool for positive change when students are encouraged to identify real-world needs and develop thoughtful solutions.
Pender County Schools extends its appreciation to SparkNC, Communities In Schools, the school counselor who shared her expertise, the families who attended Pitch Day and the students whose creativity, compassion and innovation brought the challenge to life.
