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Stay Alert App Contest - $1,500 Contest Award

To Students, Innovators, and Future Engineers:

My name is James Franklin, U.S. Veteran and inventor of Stay Alert — a wearable, Bluetooth, hands‑free safety device designed to assist users response time before fatigue‑related accidents on the road. Stay Alert uses three sensory alerts — vibration, chirping, and flashing lights — to warn drivers the moment they begin to show signs of drowsiness or distraction.

The Stay Alert Mobile App.:

This is not a hypothetical classroom exercise. This is a real product, already developed, already patented, and already needed by drivers, parents, and businesses across the country. Now it needs a smart, data‑driven app — and that’s where you come in.

What the App Must Do:

  • An individual or team of three or less, will design and build a working mobile application that connects to the Stay Alert device via Bluetooth and performs four core functions:

  • 1. Collect User Data in Real Time

  • The app must receive and log data from the device, including:

  • Number of chirp alerts

  • Number of vibration alerts

  • Number of flashing‑light alerts

  • These “hits” represent moments when the driver showed signs of fatigue or distraction — critical information for safety monitoring.

  • 2. Track Device Usage

  • The app must detect and record when the Stay Alert device is:

  • Powered on

  • Connected

  • Actively being worn by the user

  • This ensures accountability and provides insight into driver behavior.

  • 3. Store All Data Securely in the Cloud

  • All collected data must be:

  • Uploaded to a secure cloud database

  • Accessible to the Stay Alert owner (full access)

  • Filtered for restricted access by business owners or parents

  • 4. Provide Tiered Access Controls

  • The system must support:

  • Full access for Stay Alert administrators

  • Limited access for business owners and parents, showing only:

  • Number of sensory hits

  • Whether the device is being worn

  • This creates a responsible, privacy‑aware data ecosystem.

Why This Project Is Perfect for Students:

  • This app is a real engineering challenge that blends multiple disciplines:

  • Software Engineering

  • Bluetooth integration

  • Mobile app development (iOS/Android)

  • Cloud architecture

  • Data security and user‑permission systems

  • Computer Science

  • Real‑time data processing

  • Event logging

  • API development

  • Database design

  • Human‑Centered Design

  • Safety‑critical UX

  • Clear alert visualization

  • Intuitive dashboards for parents and businesses

  • Professional Experience

  • Students will:

  • Build a product for a real inventor

  • Work with a real device

  • Gain portfolio‑ready experience

  • Potentially contribute to a commercial release

  • This is the kind of project that stands out on résumés, internship applications, and graduate school submissions.

Why Partner With Stay Alert:

Project Description

Fatigue‑related accidents kill thousands of drivers every year. Stay Alert intent is to alerts users before tragedies happen.

By helping build this app, your students will:

  • Contribute to a life‑saving technology

  • Work directly with a Veteran inventor

  • Participate in a project with real social impact

  • See their work used by families, trucking companies, and everyday drivers

This is engineering with purpose.

​

Call to Action

I’m seeking a motivated team — a class, a senior capstone group, a student organization, or an engineering department — to collaborate on building the Stay Alert companion app.

If your students are ready to work on a meaningful, real‑world project that blends innovation, safety, and technology, Stay Alert is ready for them.

Let’s build something that saves lives.

 

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Creativity and clarity of ideas

  • Demonstrated interest in engineering or technology

  • Commitment to public safety

  • Potential to contribute meaningfully to the Stay Alert app project

  • Professionalism of submitted materials

Eligibility:

This contest is open to:

  • High School Students

  • College Students

  • University Students

  • Students in technical or engineering‑related fields

Submission Requirements:

Applicants must submit:

  • Full name, school, and academic year

  • 300–500 word essay on engineering interest & driver‑safety innovation

  • Summary of past technical or creative projects

  • Functional demo video of the app prototype

  • Faculty reference (2)

Important Dates:

  • Application Deadline: December 21, 2026

  • Winner Announced: January 21, 2027

Application Form:

Stay Alert App Contest Application

Academic Year

Faculty Reference (2)

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