BU taking part in App-a-thon Guinness World Record attempt

Bournemouth University will be part of a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest number of people simultaneously learning to build an Android app.

The event, held at the University’s Talbot Campus, is taking place on Saturday 13 June 2015, with the Bournemouth location holding one of 27 events on the day as a part of the world record attempt.

The event, organised by BCSWomen (part of the Chartered Institute for IT), hopes to encourage young people, particularly girls, to consider a career in IT.

Melanie Coles from the Department of Computing and Informatics says: “We’re delighted to be taking part in the BCSWomen App-a-thon event because this is an opportunity to engage and inspire young people to interact with new technology, to get them designing, building and using their own apps.  To encourage them to be creative, to explore the possibilities and enthuse them to continue with the subject and hopefully pursue IT as a career too.”

The world record attempt could enter the Guinness Book of Records if enough people from around Dorset and the UK register to sign up to take part.

Suzy Atfield-Cutts, a Computing First Year Tutor at Bournemouth University, said, “Programming is like magic; you make something out of nothing and the possibilities are endless. It’s the best fun and anyone can do it.  On the day, we will go from the very beginning so as long as you are able to use a computer you will be able to enjoy the day.  Sign up and bring the whole family.  The App-a-thon is designed to give you results relatively quickly so by the end of the day you can share your achievements too”

The mobile apps will be created using the MIT AppInventor with full tutorials provided for attendees on the day.

The App-a-thon event will take place at Poole House, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB on Saturday 13th June 2015, between 10am – 4pm. To register for your place on this free event, please visit the BCS website.