Dear Colleagues —

I am pleased to share news that First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Initiative and the U.S. Department of Education today announced ThinkZone Games as the grand prize winner in the Reach Higher Career App Challenge, a prize competition to promote the development of mobile app solutions that will help students navigate education and career pathways, including career and technical education (CTE).

"There are so many excellent programs that teach cutting edge skills, including career and technical education programs, but sometimes it’s hard for students to navigate all those opportunities and find the right fit. So we called on all of you for help, and you truly answered the call," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "People from across the country submitted ideas for new apps to help students plan their futures."

The Challenge seeks to bring apps to middle and high school students that will help them learn about education and career options, while increasing the capacity of career counselors to assist students in planning for their futures. ThinkZone Games’ winning app Hats & Ladders supports career exploration with swipe-to-choose self-assessments, connected activities, and mini-challenges. Hats & Ladders provides repeat exposure to a broad spectrum of careers and enables students to draw connections between their personal attributes and multiple pathways to career success.

A video announcement for the winner is also posted here. Stay tuned to the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN) at cte.ed.gov for updates on this and other Challenges being supported by our office!

Best —
Sharon Lee Miller
Director, Division of Academic and Technical Education