Samsung to teach teens to be app-ier

A LOCAL teenager could spark the next big app craze.

Samsung is offering highschoolers in New York and five other cities across the U.S. a chance to create and develop mobile Android apps through the tech company’s Mobile App Academy.

In its second year, the two-day program aims to teach eligible juniors and seniors interested in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — about the social and educational possibilities of mobile apps and how to develop them.

Students who attend the New York academy, on Aug. 7 and 8 at NYU’s Polytechnic Institute, will then submit their own app concept proposals for a chance to win $20,000 towards their college education, plus an opportunity to work with developers to build the student’s application idea.

Second- and third-place winners receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. All participants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in two or more AP and/or Honors classes in STEM subjects.

“These are already high performing students in STEM and their passion for learning is very inspiring,” Cindy Chang, Samsung Telecommunications America marketing manager, told the Daily News.

“We want to give (them) a hands-on opportunity to learn about app development so they will continue on into careers that will help shape the future of mobile technology.”

Visit scholastic.com/samsungacademy for more.