PSC SCHOLARS TAKE HOME HONORS FOR MOBILE APP DESIGN

Science and innovation are at the forefront of the global economy, and our PSC computer science majors are keeping pace! In February 2020, over nine Philander scholars traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 2020 HBCU Making and Innovation Showcase. Sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, with funding from the National Science Foundation, the Showcase aims to encourage increased participation in STEM-related innovation and entrepreneurship activities by students of color. Each year, participating teams design and implement prototypes using hardware and software to address one of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Led by Dr. Samar Swaid, Chair of the Division of Natural and Physical Science, “Team Philander” earned second place in the competition for their mobile application “Tahfeez” beating out competitors from over 17 other HBCUs around the country. Tahfeez, whichs means motiviation in Arabic, is a mobile application that strives to help encourage and motivate college students as they complete their studies. The 2nd Place team consisted of Faruq Hammed, Uktarsh Goyal, Sam Davis Omekara, and Darren Butler. Complete with goal setting, badges and awards, plus other motivational elements, the app is geared towards students on campuses around the world.

 In addition to the showcase, students also attended sessions of the Emerging Research National Conference (ERN) with over 1,500 other attendees. This conference is centered on enhancing science communication skills and helping students to better understand how to prepare for science careers in the global workforce.