STEAM Ahead with TEAM-BMG Mobile App Development Workshop Curriculum

Duration: 4 Weeks (4 hours per session, once a week)
Target Audience: Ages 11–24
Objective: Equip participants with the foundational skills to design, develop, and deploy their own mobile app while integrating STEAM principles.

Week 1: Introduction to Mobile App Development
Theme: Foundations and Design Thinking

Hour 1:

Welcome & Icebreaker: "Favorite Apps and Why?"
Introduction to Mobile App Development: Overview of platforms (iOS, Android), tools, and career opportunities.
Explore STEAM integration in mobile apps.
Hour 2:

Understanding User Needs: Introduction to Design Thinking.
Activity: Identify a problem in your community and brainstorm app ideas to solve it.
Hour 3:

Basics of App Design: Wireframes and user interface (UI) principles.
Hands-On: Sketch a wireframe for your app idea on paper or using online tools like Figma.
Hour 4:

Group Discussion: Share app ideas and wireframes for feedback.
Assignment: Finalize your wireframe before the next session.

Week 2: App Development Basics
Theme: Coding Fundamentals

Hour 1:

Introduction to Block-Based Coding: Using platforms like MIT App Inventor or Thunkable.
Build a simple “Hello World” app.
Hour 2:

Hands-On: Explore key coding concepts like variables, conditionals, and loops through app design.
Activity: Create an interactive button that performs an action.
Hour 3:

Work on Your App Idea: Translate wireframes into basic interactive prototypes.
Troubleshooting common issues in app development.
Hour 4:

Group Activity: Test each other's prototypes and provide feedback.
Assignment: Refine your app functionality based on feedback.

Week 3: Enhancing Your App
Theme: Features and Functionality

Hour 1:

Adding Advanced Features:Integrate multimedia (images, audio, video).
Work with data storage (e.g., saving user input).
Hour 2:

Hands-On: Add at least one advanced feature to your app.
Activity: Test and debug your app.
Hour 3:

Introduction to App Aesthetics: Colors, fonts, and layouts for a professional look.
Activity: Update your app’s UI to make it visually appealing.
Hour 4:

Peer Review: Present updated apps for feedback.
Assignment: Prepare your app for final presentation and testing.

Week 4: Launch and Showcase
Theme: Testing, Feedback, and Deployment

Hour 1:

Testing and Debugging: Strategies to identify and fix bugs.
Finalize your app and prepare a presentation pitch.
Hour 2:

Marketing Basics:Create an app icon and promotional materials (e.g., posters, videos).
Discuss app deployment options (publishing on app stores).
Hour 3:

Showcase Event: Present your app to the group and/or invited guests.
Pitch your app idea and demonstrate its functionality.
Hour 4:

Reflection and Feedback: Discuss lessons learned and future plans for app improvement.
Closing Activity: Distribute certificates and STEAM Ahead swag (if applicable).

Key Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will:

Understand the basics of mobile app development and design thinking.
Create and refine a working prototype of a mobile app.
Gain problem-solving, coding, and project management skills.
Develop confidence in presenting and pitching their app ideas.