Samsung and Girls Who Code Announce Winners of Samsung Mobile App Challenge

Samsung Mobile’s App Challenge Inspires Girls to Pursue STEM Related Careers

Samsung and Girls Who Code

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) and Girls Who Code (GWC) announced today the winners of their joint mobile application (app) development competition, Samsung Mobile App Challenge. GWC members were challenged to design and code a mobile app that addresses a need in their school or community.

In an effort to remove the stigma associated with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Samsung created the coding challenge to enhance GWC’s existing coding education and inspire girls to see STEM as an exciting, interesting discipline to pursue in school and beyond.

Three winning teams were chosen from more than 2,000 girls invited to participate in the challenge. Each team was given six weeks to complete and submit their problem solving applications.

The Samsung Mobile App Challenge winners are:

• First Place: Team musiklearners for the app musiklearn. Team members include Cassie Mahakian and Ashley Willis from Erie, CO. The team’s app, musiklearn, was designed to help young kids learn in a different way. Categorized by subject area and disability, the app will help students master new concepts by connecting those concepts to sound and music. When students are able to improve in the classroom, the whole community benefits.
• Second Place: Team Major Crossroads for the app Major Crossroads. Team members include Yi Ren, Nhi Tuyet Ngo, Jyoti Lama and Weyni Teklu from Seattle, WA. The girls of Major Crossroads wanted to create an app to help the large number of first generation college students from their area. That’s where the Major Crossroads app comes in, allowing students to explore different majors, including example classes, colleges offering the major and potential career opportunities.
• Third Place: Team Rhapsodians for the app Rhapsocks. Team members include Dounya Bilal, Sasha Floru, Maia Carty and Grace Boghosian from Providence, RI. The team’s app, Rhapsocks, will turn texts, notes and study guides into fun, appropriate songs and raps to help memorize important information. Regardless of age, students could use this app to improve their study habits.

First place team members will each receive a Samsung ATIV Book 9 Lite. Second place team members will each receive a Samsung Galaxy Note® 10.1 – 2014 Edition tablet. Third place team members will each receive a $100 gift certificate.

With only 25 percent of STEM jobs currently being held by women, Samsung Mobile and GWC are dedicated to increasing technology skills amongst young girls across the nation.

For more information, please visit www.gwcappchallenge.com.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is a national nonprofit working to close the gender gap in technology. Through its Summer Immersion Program and Girls Who Code Clubs, the organization is leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Additional information is available at www.girlswhocode.com.