Washington state continues to be a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with more than 313,000 high school students and 165,000 two-year college students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs.
I have had the opportunity to see the technological creativity of students in classrooms across Northwest Washington first-hand.
I am calling on all middle and high school students to tap into that creativity and participate in the 2020 Congressional App Challenge.
The competition, which runs through October 19, 2020, is open to high school and middle school students who live in or attend school in Washington’s Second Congressional District. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four.
The Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity for students to create programs or apps for any platform to collaborate, invent and learn coding and computer science skills.
Students are encouraged to register online before submitting their app. The deadline to submit an app to my office is 9:00 a.m. PST on October 19, 2020.
To find more information about the Congressional App Challenge and to apply, visit www.congressionalappchallenge.us.
I look forward to seeing the creativity of Washington’s Second District students!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Per Bergstrom in my office at Per.Bergstron@mail.house.gov or at (425) 252-3188.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Congressional App Challenge?
The Congressional App Challenge is a yearly competition for middle and high school students. Students are challenged to create and submit their original apps, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. As U.S. Representatives we publicly recognize our winning teams and each winning app may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. The first Congressional App Challenge launched in 2016. Since then, the CAC has inspired over 14,000 students across 48 states to program an app.
Are there Prizes?
Yes! Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website, House.gov.
Additional Prizes TBA!
When are projects due?
All projects must be submitted by 12:00 pm EDT, Monday, October 19th, 2020.
Am I eligible to participate?
To participate in the Congressional App Challenge, you must be a middle or high school student on October 19th, 2020. Students are only allowed to compete in a Congressional District which is hosting an App Challenge. Students may compete in either the district in which they reside, or the district in which they attend school. Participants may compete only in one single district.
Are teams allowed?
Yes! Students may participate in teams of up to four. If you are participating as a team, at least half of the team must reside in the district they compete in.
What kind of app can I submit?
Students can use any programming language (example: C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, “block code,” etc.) and any (PC, web, tablet, robot, mobile, etc.). There are no limits on application theme or topic!
What Congressional District do I reside in?
You can use this link to determine your Congressional District.
Where can I find out more about the Congressional App Challenge?
More information about the Congressional App Challenge is available at congressionalappchallenge.us.
What do I need to submit?
You will need several things for your submission:
· An app
· A demonstration video (3 minutes max), including
o The name(s) of each participant
o The name of the app
o The purpose of the app in one clear sentence
o The app’s target audience
o The tools and coding languages used to create the app
o How the App works
· Answers to a series of questions similar to the following:
o What is the title of your app?
o Explain the app’s purpose in one sentence.
o Short Description: What inspired you to create this app?
o Short Description: What is your app trying to accomplish?
o What technical/coding difficulty did you faced in programming your app, and how did you address this technical challenge?
Other Rules
· Students may only submit ONE app per year. Multiple entries across multiple teams is not allowed.
· The app must have some degree of functionality to be competitive.
· The app cannot be indecent, defamatory, in obvious bad taste, demonstrate a lack of respect for public morals or conduct, adversely affect the reputation of Congressional districts, or depict hatred, defame, or threaten a specific community in the society or incite violence.
· Pornography, obscenity or sexual activity are prohibited.
· The app must not violate the Intellectual Property, common law or privacy rights of other parties
FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS AND COMPLETE RULES FOR THE COMPETITION, PLEASE CONSULT
THE CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE RULEBOOK
