Celebrating 15 Years of Apps for Good 

Apps for Good 15 years on: a changing world, a constant vision

Education technology charity, Apps for Good, is celebrating 15 years of positive impact on young people. It is telling stories from the students creating technology for good.

Behind every number is a story

Natalie Moore, CEO of Apps for Good, said:

“I’m immensely proud that over the past 15 years, our computing courses have reached almost 350,000 young people. Of course, the figure itself is remarkable – but behind every number is a human being: a student emerging with a spark of curiosity, a voice that wants to be heard, and the skills, confidence, and agency to shape their future. They may be stepping into a world full of unknowns, yet, no matter their starting point, they are equipped to solve problems, lead change, and create opportunities not just for themselves, but for the greater good of their communities. These possibilities, these outcomes – this is what drives us. This is why we exist.”

Inspiring journeys: David and Mohima’s stories

In 2012, 13-year-old David, a shy and creative student, discovered his potential through an Apps for Good course. He developed Qbook – a gamified reading app inspired by his own struggles, and won an award for his idea.

Today, working in marketing at Nike, he reflects: “It sparked everything. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am. There’s probably another me in school right now. Something like this could show them the world is bigger than they think.”

Another alum, Mohima Ahmed, first encountered Apps for Good in 2010, when her school took part in the pilot programme. She and her team developed Transit – an app inspired by their real-life experiences as second-generation Bangladeshi students. “At the time, it was just an exciting opportunity – but it stayed with me,” she says.

Now Mohima is product lead at With Intelligence and an Apps for Good Trustee. She returned to her school as an Apps for Good ‘educator’. It felt to her like a full-circle moment. Mohima said: “Apps for Good is one of the very few opportunities in the education system at the moment to really understand what the real world is like…to get the skills that employers actually care about.”

Re-engaging students through real-world learning

While the charity’s alumni show what’s possible, disengagement remains a pressing challenge. The Pearson School Report 2025 finds that 69 per cent of secondary educators expect it to be a major barrier this year. They predict it will affect disadvantaged students most.

Motivation often dips sharply during the transition to secondary school, risking both confidence and opportunity. Apps for Good tackle this by giving students agency and connecting learning to real-world problems that matter to them. Independent learning helps students become effective problem solvers and confident decision-makers. These are crucial skills for thriving in any future career, especially in the digital economy.

Building digital and essential skills for life

With the Curriculum Review imminent, Apps for Good is ready to support schools in delivering the skills the interim report highlights. Its project-based computing courses already model the review’s vision. It aims to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to navigate a rapidly changing world.

The challenge lies in implementation: how will schools keep pace with AI and emerging technologies, while also embedding essential skills? Apps for Good takes a simple approach. Students work in teams to create app prototypes, tackling real-world problems that matter to them. This hands-on, collaborative learning helps them develop a dual skillset of digital and essential skills like teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

AI as a teammate, not a threat

Looking forward, Apps for Good sees AI and emerging technology not as something to fear, but as a tool for agency and social impact. As Dan Fitzpatrick references in The AI Educator podcast, “AI is not just a tool, it’s a teammate”. “It’s not a shortcut, it’s a skill stack.”

By reframing AI as a partner and channeling it as tech for good, students can become future-ready citizens. Apps for Good equips young people to broaden horizons, close opportunity gaps, and make a positive difference in the world. That’s why Apps for Good is excited to be bringing its courses together into a single, multi-themed programme, integrating AI for Good throughout.

Join us in shaping future innovators

As Apps for Good marks its fifteenth anniversary, its mission remains unchanged. This education technology charity strives to inspire curiosity and nurture confidence. It aims to give every young person the skills and belief to shape a better world. Over the next 15 years, it will continue to evolve with education and technology. It will ensure its courses offer real-life, engaging experiences that support both teachers and learners.

David and Mohima’s stories show what’s possible when young people use technology for good. Explore more stories like theirs and see how Apps for Good’s free computing courses can spark innovation in your classroom and beyond. 

Interested in bringing Apps for Good’s free courses to your classroom? 

Contact: Kathy – education@appsforgood.org

Interested in helping to support Apps for Good’s mission to bring computing curriculums to life? 

Contact: Rich – partnerships@appsforgood.org 

 Learn more about Apps for Good: click here.