“GLOW UP” CHALLENGE
#APP-A-THON 2019

Links, Incorporated | Norfolk Chapter
Envision Lead Grow

Helping Girls Glow-Up, as they Grow-Up!

The Norfolk (VA) Chapter of Links, Incorporated and Envision Lead Grow brought STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) to young girls by offering a platform for them to create interactive and engaging software applications (“apps”) designed to support their passions, or “What Makes Their Hearts Sing”.

  • On November 9, 2019, girls gathered at Tidewater Community College Portsmouth Campus to learn how to take their businesses to the next level from subject matter experts (SME) and Links volunteers by building their very own applications (apps).

  • On February 8, 2020, these STEM girls pitched their developed apps to a panel of judges to compete for a special prize.

APP-A-THON 2019

Results!

I believe this experience will really help my business. Technology and apps are the next big marketing tools for businesses. Learning how to create my own app will help my business along with keeping money in my business because I won’t have to hire anyone to do it.

Girl Boss Sabrina, 11 years old

The App-A-Thon event was so much fun! I got to see my good friends again and learn how to create an app with them by my side. The lunch was amazing, and the games were really fun. I enjoyed the whole day! Thank you for the opportunity!

Girl Boss Abbie, 12 years old

According to the App-A-Thon pre- and post-survey results, this event had two significant findings:

1. Girls’ knowledge of how an application (app) can help their business significantly increased.

2. Girls’ confidence in their ability to design an application (app) immediately also significantly increased.

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

GRADE:
The median grade level of App-AThon attendees is 7th grade.

AGE:
The median age of App-A-Thon attendees is 12 years old.

CITY:
The most prevalent city where attendees reside is Chesapeake, VA (29%), followed by Virginia Beach, VA (21%). All seven cities within Hampton Roads, VA were represented in attendance, as well as, Richmond, VA.

FAMILY HISTORY OF APP-MAKING:
79% of attendees come from families whom are not app-makers or have ever designed an app.

99

App-A-Thon registrants and walk-ins

86%

of girls designed an app for the very first time at the App-A-Thon

76%

of girls left Day 1 of the App-A-Thon event with an app that they felt confident using for their business

The Links, Incorporated | Norfolk Chapter Towne Bank BB&T Norfolk State University Tidewater Community College