WHITE PLAINS, NY — County Executive Robert P. Astorino is looking for the best young technologists to compete in the first Westchester Smart Mobile App Development Bowl. The event is being sponsored by Westchester County, Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, and the David and Minnie Berk Foundation.
“There is no limit on the creativity that students can apply to the apps,” said Astorino. “This is a chance for students to showcase their talents.”
What is the Westchester Smart Mobile App Development Bowl?
Open to college and high school students throughout the Westchester and New York metropolitan area, student teams compete to create mobile apps to help with the management and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The apps can range from simple “busy board” games that help keep Alzheimer’s patients’ minds occupied, to more complex apps that assist doctors, nurses and other caregivers with daily treatments.
What awards and prizes can be won?
Cash prizes as well as up to five paid summer internships with Westchester County Government will be awarded to top teams and students. All of the entries will become part of a library of free apps.
How can interested students register?
Interested student teams should register by Thursday, February 12. To register visit http://www.pace.edu/seidenberg/mobile-app-development-bowl-2015-challenge, e-mail mobileappcontest@pace.edu or call (914) 422-4477.
All registrants are invited to attend a kick-off pep rally at the Westchester County Center on Friday, February 27 at 1 p.m. where teams will be introduced. Students are encouraged to attend a workshop immediately following the pep rally to go over rules and help teams prepare for the contest.
Guidance and support will be made available throughout the competition by Pace University, including free technical resources, instruction and workshops. Schools can send more than one team. Students may form and register independent teams without school affiliation. There is no entry fee.
On April 17 at Pace University’s Pleasantville Campus, the teams will demonstrate their mobile apps for review by a panel of expert judges. Winners will be announced by County Executive Robert P. Astorino.
Why focus on Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Over five million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. That number continues to grow each year, and experts predict that by 2050 up to 16 million will have the disease. The cost of treating and caring for these patients has become unsustainable. Therefore, tools such as free apps for caregivers and patients can help alleviate some of the burden these individuals face on a daily basis.
“Westchester County and the David and Minnie Berk Foundation are ideal partners for the Westchester Smart Mobile App Development Bowl,” said Amar Gupta, Dean of the Seidenberg School at Pace. “They both are committed to improving the quality of healthcare to underserved and vulnerable populations, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Pace is proud to be adding our technology expertise to make this event a success for years to come.”
The Seidenberg School at Pace University has established a telehealth laboratory in Westchester County, where the school serves as a mentor to several incubators and companies. Seidenberg has won several awards in this area: the Pilot Health Tech NYC Award two years in a row, an initiative that supports healthcare IT entrepreneurship; and a multi-million dollar grant in partnership with Westchester County for a remote patient monitoring program. Additionally, the Seidenberg School has secured funding from multiple industry partners to pursue various telehealth issues: data analytics; interoperable electronic health records; telemedicine; social media; and clinical trials.
Funding for the Westchester Smart Mobile App Development Bowl was provided by a Westchester County Department of Social Services grant awarded to Pace University to develop mobile apps for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients. Future competitions will be geared to developing apps that can serve other groups.
For more information and registration details, contact Elizabeth Foster at mobileappcontest@pace.edu or call (914) 422-4477.
The registration deadline is February 12.