Chapman University to host 4th Annual Autism App Jam MEDIA INVITED

Chapman University will host the fourth annual Autism App Jam on April 22 on its campus in Orange. Autism App Jam is a two-week competition for undergraduate and graduate students of all majors from UC Irvine and Chapman University. The event features 30 student teams from the two universities who will showcase their apps to judges who will decide which are most likely to succeed.

During the two preceding weeks, student teams of one to up to five or more design and create some kind of technology – be it a mobile app, website or even a Kinect game – to support a real problem faced by people coping with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The free public event will take place in Chapman’s Sandhu Conference Center from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with team presentations and judging beginning at 5 p.m.

“The Autism App Jam is a great way for students to exercise their computer science muscle while at the same time, creating something that is aimed at making the lives of those on the autism spectrum and their loved ones better,” said Erik Linstead, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics and computer science and lead facilitator of the Autism App, and the founder of Chapman’s Machine Learning and Assistive Technology (MLAT) Lab. “Autism was never something I thought of until my daughter was diagnosed with it – from there I immediately put my computer science background to work to help both those on the spectrum and their caregivers make life a little easier through technology.

The event is now in its fourth year and is supported by the Center for Autism. Judges will assign a first, second and third prize based on relevance to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), uniqueness, creativity, and presentation. Other prizes include the “People’s Choice Award” and “Best Use of Social Media.”

More information on the Autism App Jam can be found at: https://events.chapman.edu/9907

More information about the ASD research carried out in the MLAT lab can be found at: http://mlat.chapman.edu

About Chapman University

Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University attracts highly qualified students from around the globe. Its programs are designed to encourage leadership in innovation, creativity and collaboration, and are increasingly recognized for providing an extraordinary educational experience. The university excels in the sciences and humanities, business and economics, educational studies, film and media arts, performing arts, and law. Student enrollment in graduate and undergraduate programs is approaching 8,000 and Chapman University alumni are found throughout the world. Visit us at www.chapman.edu.

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