Texas A&M University’s School of Innovation (I-School) has released a new app for students to find events and resources focused on innovation.
The MaroonBase Student app helps organize opportunities for Texas A&M students to learn more about innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and leadership, Emily Finbow, assistant director for Effectiveness, Evaluation, and Research at the I-School, said.
The app is a branch of the MaroonBase Resource Guide, an online database of opportunities for people to build their skill sets. Everyone has access to the resource guide, Finbow said, but only Texas A&M students will be able to utilize the app.
The online resource guide will often list events and resources available to students, faculty and community members, or events that are only accessible to one of those groups. It can sometimes be confusing for students to identify which programs are available to them, which is why the app was designed. “It can be a little overwhelming, seeing all of the events available through the resource guide,” Finbow said. “The app gives students a better opportunity to find events and resources that benefit them.”
Students can download the app by searching for “Kronos Workforce Ready Mobile.” Once an account is created, users can begin to search for events and resources in their area that would benefit their specific goals.
Users can check in to events they are attending through the app’s map function. Once the event is over, they can check out and start to earn points, an incentive for students to use the app. The app also tracks the use of available resources for each student, awarding points to their account.
Points can be redeemed for prizes in one of two ways, Finbow said. First, qualifying students are entered into a monthly drawing. Each student receives one entry for every 200 points they earn. Three names are drawn each month, with each winner receiving $500 toward their student account. Points used for monthly drawings do not disappear each month and can be used throughout the semester.
Semester grand prizes are also available for the top three point earners. The first place grand prize winner will receive $2,000 to their account. Second place will receive $1,500 and third place earns $1,000, each awarded to their student account.
The prize money can be used toward tuition, fees and books, Finbow said. Previous student winners have used their earnings to fund summer courses or internships.
While the app is only available to students at the moment, future versions will hopefully include access for other parties, Finbow said. “We do see it moving forward, especially for faculty and staff,” she said.
Instructions on how to download and use the app can be found here. https://innovation.tamu.edu/MaroonBase-Student-Mobile-App
