Department of Family Services – Older Adults

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-7948 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 708
Fairfax, VA 22035
Trina Mayhan-Webb
Director

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Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge

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First Place Shark Tank Winners and Judges
1st Place Winners – (L to R): David Hibbitts, Korey Singleton, Amanda Smedley, Principal Georginia Aye, Advik Atyam, David Nam, Yousif Al Atbi, Nathan Kim, Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Pete Lamont, and Robert O’Quinn.

2024 Fairfax Area Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge Winners Announced

The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee, the Department of Family Services, and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services are proud to announce the winners of the Fairfax Area Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge. 

Students from the Fairfax area were challenged to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers. The event challenges students to develop innovative technological solutions that can help people live independently and make the world more user-friendly. Winners received cash prizes donated by INTEGRITYOne Partners, proud event sponsor for the ninth year.

“This year the students tackled some of the top concerns of older adults, those with disabilities and actually many people in general,” said Cathy Cole, Chair of the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging. “The topics they addressed were ripped from the headlines:  avoiding scams, wheelchair accessibility, fear of falling, managing diabetes, managing isolation. They are all currently in the news and these students were paying attention. May is Older Americans’ Month, and the theme is "Powered by Connection." These projects addressed the ability to be, and stay, connected.”

2023-24 Winners 

1st Place: ScamCops

Advik Atyam, David Nam, Nathan Kim, and Yousif Al Atbi
Fairfax High School

ScamCops, a platform developed to help educate and empower people about scams, was awarded first place in the technology challenge. Developed by students from Fairfax High School, ScamCops offers educational resources, real-time scam alerts, and a collaborative community to share experiences and insights. ScamCops uses a team of knowledgeable “Cops” who are trained to educate the community about scams. The platform leverages artificial intelligence which ensures instant responses through its dynamic network of dedicated individuals.

“ScamCops' winning solution exemplifies the spirit of innovation and compassion we encourage through this competition,” said Pete Lamont from INTEGRITYOne Partners. “We are immensely proud of all the students for their compassion and willingness to improve the lives of others. Their projects not only showcased their technical skills but also their deep empathy and desire to make a meaningful difference in the community.”

Learn more about ScamCops and try it out for yourself.

2nd Place: Odyssey

Mayu Zuniga and Logan Lee
Woodson High School

Second place was awarded to the team who developed Odyssey, a mobile app that finds venues with wheelchair-accessible entrances. More than 65 million people worldwide use wheelchairs, and the mobile app provides comprehensive information about the accessibility of the places nearest to the user’s location.

2nd Place – (L to R): Mayu Zuniga and Logan Lee
2nd Place – (L to R): Mayu Zuniga and Logan Lee

3rd Place: Gaitway

Jasmine Ma, Jaiden Saran, and Sophie Zhang
McLean High School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Third place winners developed Gaitway, a virtual reality (VR) app that simulates a three-dimensional environment that can help address common mobility issues. Gaitway imports VR videos and scenes from daily life, cities, and home activities to simulate walking. Multiple levels are embedded into the app to create the feeling of the rehabilitation process, becoming a game. It presents users with small mobility tasks before extended walking simulations. 

3rd place Gaitway Jaiden Saran (McLean), Sophie Zhang (McLean), Jasmine Ma (TJ)
3rd Place – (L to R): David Hibbitts, Korey Singleton, Amanda Smedley, Jaiden Saran (McLean High School), Sophie Zhang (McLean High School), Jasmine Ma (Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology), Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Pete Lamont, and Robert O’Quinn.

Honorable Mentions

Rujvi Thakkar and Dhaya Kumaresan from Langley High School received an Honorable Mention for DiaBuddy, a comprehensive digital companion for individuals living with diabetes. The user-friendly platform aims to streamline diabetes management by providing medication reminders and community support, while integrating with continuous glucose monitoring devices.
  
Empowerment Hub, designed by Soham Rajeshirke and Sahas Rajeshirke from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, also received an Honorable Mention. Empowerment Hub helps older adults and adults with disabilities access a clickable list of resources they may need along with the ability to call emergency services.  A second phase of the app will leverage artificial intelligence to understand personal needs. 

Honorable Mention Empowerment Hub

Watch as student participants demonstrate their device or app to a panel of judges during the 2023-24 Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge. Students were encouraged to develop technology that may enhance the independent enjoyment of life for older adults and adults with disabilities, including wounded warriors. 

The Video Player does not directly support your device.
Please the link below the play in VLC, Quicktime, or other media player:

https://dl.ebmcdn.net/fairfax/flash/shark_tank_jun_24.mp4
 

Special Thank You to Our 2023-2024 Judges!

Shark Tank Judges
Judges (L to R): Korey Singleton, George Mason University, Amanda Smedley, ServiceSource, Pete Lamont, INTEGRITYOne Partners, and David Hibbitts, AARP.

Our heartfelt thanks go to parents, teachers, and judges who played a crucial role in making this event a success. Their dedication to fostering a spirit of innovation and community service among the youth is truly commendable. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to INTEGRITYOne Partners for their continued support, which has been instrumental in providing this platform for young innovators. The Fairfax Area Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge continues to be a beacon of hope, demonstrating how technology can be harnessed for social good. We look forward to seeing how these young innovators will continue to impact the world positively in the years to come.

Learn about past "Shark Tank" winners. 

About Fairfax Area Student
"Shark Tank" Technology Challenge

The Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge is an initiative of the Fairfax 50+ Community Action Plan which was passed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2014.

This initiative also supports Fairfax County's Economic Success Plan that seeks to grow and diversify the economy through innovation, social equity and expanding science, technology, engineering and math education.

  • Department of Family Services, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging
  • Department of Neighborhood & Community Services
  • INTEGRITYOne Partners
  • The Kellar Institute, George Mason University

 

*Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. To request reasonable accommodations or to receive this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-7496 or TTY 703-222-9452.

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