Welcome to The Maine App Challenge

In cooperation with University of Maine and Educate Maine Project>Login, Tyler’s Maine App Challenge provides the opportunity for Maine students to explore the world of software design and development.

Created in 2015, this annual Challenge provides Maine students the chance to show off their skills and creativity by building a mobile application. Not only is this a unique way to develop abilities, but participants also have the chance to win valuable prizes, including scholarships totaling $10,000!


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2023 Winners

We are excited to share the winners of the 2023 Maine App Challenge!

“Every year, we’re so impressed by the creativity of these high school students in their app creation,” said Chris Webster, president of Tyler’s ERP & Civic Division. “We hope that the Maine App Challenge continues to inspire these students to explore STEM-related careers in the future, especially careers in Maine as we want these talented students to know there are hundreds of great companies in Maine who need their skills.”

The three Maine App Challenge winners were rewarded with college scholarships totaling $10,000 in 529 college savings plans. Since its inception, the Maine App Challenge has gifted more than $90,000 in 529 college savings plans to students in Maine.

Read More About The Winners

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Questions?

Maine App Challenge Press

Keep up with the latest MAC news and headlines in Maine

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Purpose Statement

The purpose of Tyler Technologies’ Maine App Challenge is to provide middle and high school students in our state access to STEM-related programs and encourage them to pursue higher education in science, technology, engineering, and math for rewarding careers in Maine. We will accomplish this by awarding scholarships, mentoring students, and connecting coding activities with technology-related careers. The Maine App Challenge will inspire students, many of whom may not have access to computer science classes, to stay in Maine and pursue STEM careers in our state.

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Overview

Love technology? Here is a chance to put your passion to a purpose and win a scholarship along the way! The Maine App Challenge is an incredible opportunity for Maine middle school and high school students who are 13 years of age and older to create a mobile application with a chance to win a scholarship and other valuable rewards. There are three scholarships available for the top mobile apps: $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place.

Other awards include:

  • $500 to the high school with the highest participation
  • A guaranteed internship interview at Tyler Technologies for the top 10 finalists

Student Information Teacher Information

Challenge Rules

Participation is free, and you or your team retains ownership of the application, as well as all data rights and intellectual property included in your submission.

Both app and video must be submitted by March 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. with a signed consent form. 2024 Maine App Challenge Participation, Consent, and Release Form

All participants must be Maine residents attending middle school or high school over 13 years of age. Individual submissions or teams of two or three students are welcome.

No child, stepchild, or household member of any person employed by Tyler Technologies or Educate Maine may submit an app.

See a detailed explanation of the 2024 Maine App Challenge rules »

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FAQs

Find the answers you need

Below we have included frequently asked questions on the Maine App Challenge. Get answers about participation, rules, and the evaluation process.

If you cannot find what you're looking for, please complete the form on the right and a team member will get back to you. You can also sign up to receive Maine App Challenge email updates.

Who is Tyler Technologies?

Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) provides integrated software and technology services to the public sector. Tyler’s end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate efficiently and transparently with residents and each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler’s solutions transform how clients turn actionable insights into opportunities and solutions for their communities. Tyler has more than 40,000 successful installations across nearly 13,000 locations, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. Consistently named one of the Best Places to Work in Maine, Tyler has more than 900 employees located in Yarmouth, Falmouth, and Bangor.

Who can participate in the Maine App Challenge?

Participants must be (i) at least 13 years old as of the date of the submission, (ii) a Maine resident as defined in Maine laws and regulations if over age 8, or have a parent or legal guardian qualify as a Maine resident if under age 18, and (iii) taking high school level classes (public, private and home school students are all eligible). Children and stepchildren of, and/or students living in the same household as a Tyler or Educate Maine employee or Maine App Challenge judge, are not eligible to participate.

When do I enter?

The contest will be open on January 1, 2024 and the submission period ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 29, 2024. Make sure you sign up to receive email updates.

Do I have to be a programmer or entrepreneur to enter?

Absolutely not! Visit our Student Information page to see how to get an app up and running in no time!

What are the submission requirements?

For more information on submission requirements, please visit the Rules page.

What kinds of ideas should I be brainstorming?

  • Informational: Provides specific information in an intuitive and easy-to-use interface to teach or inform the user

  • Utility: Provides a service to the user based on a real-world need or scope of needs

  • Game: Entertains the user while providing some sort of competition

Who is hosting this challenge? Is this a new thing?

Tyler Technologies, a local technology company, brings the latest tech to the public sector, including school districts in Maine. In cooperation with University of Maine, Tyler’s Maine App Challenge provides the opportunity for Maine students to explore the world of software design and development. The challenge has been held annually since 2015.

Can I or my team get assistance from an adult?

Students and student teams must fulfill the challenge requirements on their own. Adults, teachers, and mentors may only serve in an advisory capacity, and need to be identified in the Participation, Consent and Release form and on the app's About page.

Can the app be submitted by a team?

The challenge is open to high school students who are over the age of 13 years in the state of Maine. Teams can be comprised of one, two, or three students. Each team member is also required to complete and submit (or have a parent or legal guardian complete and submit) a participant consent form.

How will the submissions be judged and winners selected?

Submissions will be judged on the criteria described in the rubric. A panel of judges will determine the winner.

What if I’m not 13-years-old but will be soon? Can I still participate?

As long as you turn 13-years-old by the last day of submissions (March 29, 2024) you may participate. However, you may not make a submission, or send Tyler any of your personal information, until you have turned 13 years old. As an example, if you will be turning 13 on January 30, you must wait until that day to submit your app. You can enter your submission any time between Jan. 1, 2024 and March 29, 2024. If you are part of a team, you and your team will still need to wait to until you turn 13 to submit an entry.

What details should I know about the grand prize?

Tyler’s goal is to provide Maine high schools students with the experience of designing, developing, and demonstrating a mobile app for a chance to win a scholarship and other valuable rewards. Scholarships in the amount of $6,000, $3,000, and $1,000 will be awarded to first, second, and third place, respectively. Each prize will be divided equally among team members if a winning app is submitted by a team.

Can I submit more than one entry? Can I be on more than one team?

No. Each participant may only submit one entry; participants cannot submit as an individual and as part of a team. Participant may only be part of one team. Each team may only submit one entry.

Who owns what in the process?

All submissions will remain the property of the challenge participants. Tyler Technologies hopes that by participating in the Maine App Challenge participants will be encouraged to further develop their skills and their submissions, and eventually bring those apps to market on their own, where feasible. The Maine App Challenge strives to further develop the skills of young people interested in the software development field.

Have More Questions? Let Us Know!

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