The EPA’s Apps for the Environment Challenge

As a further sign that smartphones are taking over, the Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring a competition to develop applications (or “apps”) for the environment. There are several existing apps on the EPA’s website, some of which are EPA developed and others that are from external sources.

The video below outlines the competition. Referred to as the “Apps for the Environment challenge“, the competition stems from Administrator Lisa Jackson’s Seven Priorities. The apps must take data compiled by the EPA and make it into an easily accessible format. All of the data sets are available online.

All apps must be submitted by September 16, 2011. Winners will be chosen from the submissions and recognized at an event in Washington D.C. The public will have the opportunity to vote on the apps during the judging period (September 17 – October 7th). Winners will be announced at the end of October. The apps will be judged on usefulness, innovativeness, and usability. According to the rules, “Preference will be given to applications that are easily accessible to a range of consumers, including those with disabilities.” Developers keep the rights to the apps they create.

There are three categories of prizes. A winner and runner up will be chosen for “Best Overall App”, “Best Student App” (open to high school, college, and graduate students), and the “Popular Choice App”. All the winning apps will be featured on the EPA’s website.

Find more details here. The EPA also encourages people to submit your idea for an app in the Data and Developers Forum. Learn more at the challenge site.

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