Random Hacks of Kindness Junior is a non-profit based in Woodbury, CT that sponsors hack-a-thons for kids coding for a cause. One of their App Inventor projects, called Elephant Go that aims to educate children about substance abuse, was featured on the local CBS affiliate.
The app was created by 13-year old Jack Wolf and is based on the Pokemon-Go idea. Players search for bar-coded elephants that are hidden in local businesses. When you scan the elephant’s code, it brings up a fact about substance abuse prevention. Players who collect all of the elephants will be entered into a drawing for one of several family-friendly prizes such as a family membership to Woodbury’s Flanders Nature Center.
A cool idea that shows the great things that kids can do when given the power to create their own mobile apps.