West Virginia Students Build Real Apps With Thunkable

This summer, approximately 120 high school students across West Virginia turned their ideas into real apps through an AI education pilot supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and the State of West Virginia. Students across Monongalia, Kanawha, and Berkeley counties used Thunkable to build an estimated 80 mobile apps while learning about AI, entrepreneurship, and app development.

Students built around problems and ideas that mattered to them. At Spring Mills High School, students created The School App to help classmates manage schedules, grades, and learning resources. At Nitro High School, one student built GlowUp Challenge, a wellness app focused on healthy habits and confidence. Other projects included games, productivity tools, and small business solutions.

For many students, this was their first experience building an app. By the end of the pilot, 44% reported increased interest in starting their own businesses.

Programs like this give students a hands-on way to learn about AI and technology by actually creating with it. We're excited to see what these students build next and how programs like this can give more young people the tools to bring their ideas to life.

Read the full announcement from The Rockefeller Foundation to learn more about the pilot and its results.

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