In the rapidly evolving world of technology, it's not every day you hear about a high school student who partners with a major tech company to bring a pioneering idea to life. Yet, that's exactly the remarkable journey South Fayette High School student Nandana Menon embarked on, turning her innovative vision into reality with the support of CGI's Pittsburgh office.

Nandana's journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic when she noticed the adverse effects lockdowns were having on children, particularly regarding verbal delays which could lead to autism. Seeing children isolated and masked, Nandana was driven to make a difference. She initiated sensory story times at her local library as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award, which became a hit, laying the groundwork for her big idea—a sensory app for children with autism.

As a particpant in the Pittsburgh Technology Council's LAUNCH program, she was connected to CGI VP of Consulting Jeff Lyon to bring her app to life. You have to listen for the whole story and how it led to Nandana developing a second app and winning an amazing proze for her efforts.

TechVibe Pittsburgh is produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.