Camilla students develop apps to combat problems in society
CAMILLA, GA (WALB) - The next app you download onto your mobile phone may have been developed by South Georgia high school students.They're making apps to combat problems affecting society.
Some 9th and 10th grade students at Westwood Schools hope their apps will soon be available on several app stores and will help make the world a better place.
A video created by 16-year-old Sydney Lamberth and her group members is on their app aimed at putting an end to domestic violence.
"It's called "Enough" and it's basically to educate those who don't know that much about domestic violence and help victims that are in domestic violence situations," said Sydney Lamberth, Student.
The app is part of project called "Mad about Mattering" in collaboration with five other schools across the nation.
"So this is compassion based engineering," said Vicki Davis, Teacher/IT Director. "They map their heartbreak about what breaks their heart in the world and then they've been developing apps with students from other schools."
The 12 apps focus on bullying, stress, sex trafficking and other problems.
"I created an app about poverty," said Mitt Patel, Student. "It's called "Overty" and I created it because everytime I go to India there's poverty everywhere and it breaks my heart."
"The name of our app is called "In Special Shoes" and it's to help people with mental and physical disabilities and it's just to let them know that they matter," said Loren Wray, Student.
The 12 apps will be narrowed down to 5 and will be presented and judged online before five business "Sharks" next week.
"We've got some of the leaders from Silicon Valley," said Davis. "VP's from Google, Microsoft, Amazon."
The contest also includes some online voting. Mitt Patel is hoping his app will stand out among the pack.
"Hopefully my app will pass," said Patel.
"There's so many different apps that are really some of the toughest issues and the things the kids have done are beautiful, moving, touching and inspiring," said Davis.
The five finalists will be announced on Thursday and will present their apps before the five "Sharks" next Tuesday afternoon.
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