Florida Students Invited To Take 'Innovative App Challenge'; Prizes Include $10,000 Grants For Schools, Wireless Tablets For Kids

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation has launched the Innovative App Challenge for students and schools across the nation in an effort to boost education and excitement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Open to high school and middle school students, prizes include grants of $10,000 for the winning schools, and Samsung Galaxy Tab wireless tablets for the students.

The top Florida high school team and middle school team also will be named "Best in State," earning certificates, accolades on Verizon websites, participation in webinars with technology experts, and more.

"Student achievement in STEM is critical to U.S. economic growth and competitiveness on the global stage," said Pam Tope, Florida region president for Verizon Wireless.  "As a technology company, Verizon is pleased to engage students in STEM, provide them with valuable new skills and experiences and open their eyes to exciting new possibilities for their futures."

To participate, students in teams of five to 10 must work with a teacher or another faculty advisor to develop an original concept for a mobile app that incorporates STEM and addresses a real need or problem in their school or community. 

A total of 10 teams nationally will win the $10,000 grants and tablets.  Additionally, winners that develop and bring their app to the marketplace by June 7, 2013 will receive complimentary conference registration, travel and two night's lodging for two students and an adult chaperone at the 2013 Technology Student Association conference in Orlando, where they will present their winning app.

Entries must be submitted by January 18, 2013. For more information, guidelines and resources, visit www.VerizonFoundation.org/AppChallenge.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 94 million retail customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 188,000.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon Wireless