It’s less than a year until Qatar hosts the World Cup and the organizers need your help. Could you figure out how to use the latest technologies to help tourists experience Qatar’s rich history and cultural heritage?

That’s exactly what Carnegie Mellon asked high school students to do at this year’s Ibtikar Competition. Now in its fourth year, Ibtikar is an Information Systems (I.S.) challenge that encourages students to explore how technology can be used to support organizations and society.

Each year, students are presented with a challenge, and, with the help of undergraduate mentors, they must design and present an information technology-based solution. Along the way, participants learn key concepts taught in Carnegie Mellon’s I.S. program, including the application of information technology to solve organizational problems, the importance of teamwork, and the basics of design and communication.

This year’s winners were four students from the Cambridge International School for Girls. The girls designed an app called Madi, which could be downloaded by visitors seeking a virtual tour of Qatar. The tour would be complete with a Qatari guide to explain everything from the country’s pearl diving history to the ingredients in traditional food.

The winning team included twins Dania Faidi and Rania Faidi, Eeshal Naeem and Hannas Said. Teams from Musab bin Omair Secondary School and Dukhan English School won second and third place respectively.