FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Shelby Villnow
(803) 354-5741
[email protected]
South Carolina Student and Teacher Innovators are Challenged to Solve Issues in Their Own Communities
Columbia, S.C.—(Nov. 19, 2019)
The time has once again come to celebrate innovation throughout the school systems of South Carolina with IT-oLogy’s annual Innovation Challenge. The Innovation Challenge is a skill contest for students in grades 3-12 and teachers of grades 4k-12 that encourages participants to identify a problem in their school, community or state and then design an innovative solution using technology to solve the problem.
The Innovation Challenge is an outlet and opportunity for young minds and educators to unleash their creativity and problem-solving skills in a way that betters their community. Applications for the 2020 Innovation Challenge are open and will be accepted until Feb. 29, 2020.
Participants will upload their entries to IT-oLogy’s website, www.IT-oLogy.org. After a round of preliminary judging occurs, finalists are invited to attend a live event at the South Carolina State Museum on March 28, 2020, where projects are judged, and prizes are awarded. Past winners have submitted designs such as a solar-powered device to clean litter from lakes and a programmable “smart thermostat” that could decrease one’s carbon footprint.
“IT-oLogy is proud to host the Innovation Challenge each year because it shows children and educators the power that comes from wielding technology for good. The creativity and innovation that the participants exhibit is truly inspiring. It teaches us that one person, or one team can truly make a difference in our community,” said Kristy McLean, Director of Programs at IT-oLogy.
IT-oLogy’s Innovation Challenge is a free-to-enter statewide challenge with prizes at the live event ranging from scholarships for college education, to technology prizes to gift cards. Students are split into three judging groups based on grade level and teachers compete in a category of their own.
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About IT-oLogy
IT-oLogy’s mission is to attract, engage, and educate future IT talent to address the IT skills crisis that South Carolina is facing. It does this through offering innovative, interactive, high-quality programs designed for K-12 and college students, career changers, veterans and IT professionals. Founded by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina and IBM in 2008, IT-oLogy was launched as a new initiative for South Carolina. In July of 2015, IT-oLogy was awarded 501(c)3 status as a nonprofit organization. IT-oLogy is committed to bringing together businesses, parents, educators and community leaders to close the IT skills gap in South Carolina.
For more information, press only:
Shelby Villnow
(803) 354-5741
[email protected]