City’s tech-whizzes triumph in countywide competition
A team of business-savvy students from Leeds proved they were the real deal when it comes to innovation last week as they won the best app award at the Yorkshire Coca-Cola Enterprises Real Business Challenge.
The eight girls, all in Y10 at the Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) had previously qualified for the Yorkshire finals, held at the York Barbican, on the strength of a presentation they had prepared in school.
On the day, with a place in the nationals at stake, nine school teams were tasked with promoting the Special Olympics, which provides sports training and competitions programmes for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
After completing a number of tasks, each team gave a presentation, on the strength of which the judges decided which team to put through to the national final.
Included in the tasks was the design of an app to promote the Special Olympics and a fundraising sports day.
It was here that the GSAL team excelled in the contest and scooped the award for Best App.
Team member Mahika Gogi said: “We were under a lot of time pressure on the day, with about six tasks to complete in three hours. Despite not making it through to the final we were delighted to win the best app award for our Flappy Bird inspired app incorporating a pedometer to promote fitness.”
Luke Clogher, teacher of business studies and economics, added: “The team were outstanding on the day, energetic, positive and working really well as a team. Their award was well deserved – they put some creative ideas into a very well-designed app. They also gave an exceptionally good presentation for their age group.
“The competition is based on marketing and promotion and stretches the students well beyond GCSE level and what they learn in class. It also shows students that what they learn about business can be used to promote social aims and help others.”
