Congressional App Challenge
The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is an annual event in the United States where Members of the U.S. House of Representatives encourage middle and high school students to create and submit their own original apps. The challenge is intended to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and computer science among young people, inspiring them to pursue careers in these fields.
Image Source: khanna.house.gov
Its mission? To inspire students from every corner of the country to explore STEM, coding, and computer science through hands-on practice; to actively include and engage students from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the tech community, and to innovate policymaking by connecting Members of Congress to new and emerging technologies through personal interactions with their student constituents.
The challenge typically runs from June to November. Students can work alone or in teams of up to four people and can use any programming language or platform to create their apps. The apps are judged by a panel of experts based on a variety of criteria, including creativity, originality, and potential impact.
Winners of the challenge are invited to a special event in Washington, D.C., where they showcase their apps and receive recognition from Members of Congress and industry leaders. The CAC is a great opportunity for young people to develop their skills in computer science and programming, and to gain exposure to potential career opportunities in the field.
In the first seven years of the Challenge, the CAC has inspired over 40,000 students across all 50 states to code for congress.
Purpose of the Congressional App Challenge
Besides encouraging and inspiring middle and high school students to pursue careers in STEM fields by introducing them to computer science and programming, the aim of the Congressional App Challenge is to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and to give students the chance to create and share their ideas with others.
By participating in the challenge, students can gain valuable experience in coding, problem solving, and teamwork, as well as build their confidence and communication skills. In addition, it also helps to raise awareness of the importance of computer science education and its potential to drive innovation and economic growth.
Impact of the Congressional App Challenge
In six years, the Congressional App Challenge has inspired thousands of students nationwide to learn to code. With the support from their Member of Congress, these students have produced apps that address problems locally, nationally, and globally. Each year the challenge has diverse student participants from underrepresented communities.
In 2019 there were a total of 2,177 apps submitted, a 235% increase from 2016; 10,211 student participants, a 373% increase from 2016; 48 states of the United States participating, a 45% increase from 2016; and 304 members of the congress participating, a 54% increase from 2016.
The CAC has achieved what no other initiative has been able to do: it has reached extraordinary levels of urban, suburban, and rural participation while garnering participation from underserved communities at record-setting levels.
The CAC outpaces Silicon Valley by reaching out to a wide range of students in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and geography. Against Silicon Valley’s metrics, the participants of the CAC are 4 times more likely to identify as black, 5 times more likely to identify as Latinx, and 2 times more likely to identify as female. 44% of the app challenge participants have also described themselves as beginners.
Why Should Someone Participate in the Congressional App Challenge
Participating in the CAC can provide students with valuable skills and experiences that can help them succeed in their future careers and academic pursuits.
Develop your coding and problem-solving skills: It provides a unique opportunity to challenge yourself and improve your coding abilities. By creating an app from scratch, you gain valuable experience in software development and problem-solving.
Gain recognition and exposure: Winning the Congressional App Challenge can be a significant accomplishment that will look great on your resume or college applications. Additionally, participating in the competition can provide exposure for your app and ideas, potentially leading to other opportunities down the line.
Make a difference in your community: Many of the past winners of the Congressional App Challenge have developed apps that help solve real-world problems, such as aiding people with disabilities or improving education. By participating in the competition, you have the chance to make a positive impact in your community.
Connect with other like-minded students: Participating in the Congressional App Challenge can connect you with other students who share your interest in computer science and STEM. This can provide a great opportunity to network, collaborate, and learn from others.
Learning new technologies: It provides students with the opportunity to learn new programming languages, tools, and platforms that they may not have had exposure to before.
Building problem-solving skills: Creating an app requires creative problem-solving skills, as students work to find solutions to challenges they encounter in the development process.
Teamwork and collaboration: Students work together to develop an app and share their skills and ideas.
Additionally, the prizes include:
Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website.
Winning students are invited to #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C.
Additional sponsor prizes.
Image Source: startupjunkie.org
Eligibility criteria to participate in Congressional App Challenge
Participants must be middle or high school students at the time of app submission. Students who have graduated high school but have not yet started college are also eligible.
Participants must be either residents or attend school within the Congressional district of the Member of Congress who is hosting the challenge.
Participants can work individually or in teams of up to four people. If competing as a team, at least 50% of the teammates must be eligible to compete in the district in which they are submitting their app.
Participants must create an original application app that can run on a desktop computer, a web browser, a tablet, or a mobile phone.
Participants must submit their app and any required documentation by the deadline.
These eligibility criteria are general guidelines, and the specific rules and requirements may vary depending on the participating Member of Congress. Students interested in participating in the CAC should visit the official website and contact their local Member of Congress to get more information about the rules and deadlines for their district.
Requirements of Congressional App Challenge
The requirements may vary depending on the rules and guidelines set by the participating Member of Congress. However, some general requirements which are common across most districts are
Originality: The app must be an original creation of the student or team of students. It should not be a copy or modification of an existing app and should not violate any copyright or trademark laws.
Functionality: The app should be functional and perform a useful task or solve a problem. The app can be designed for a desktop computer, a web browser, or a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.
Programming: The app must be programmed using any software development tool, language or platform. There is no specific language or platform required.
Documentation: Participants must submit a description of the app, including its purpose, functionality, and target audience. Participants are also required to submit supporting material like a 1-3 minute video, showcasing the app. Participants are also asked about the technical difficulties they have faced in the programming of the app and what they think could still be improved about the app.
Eligibility: Participants must meet the eligibility criteria which may include age and residency requirements.
Submission: The app and any other required documentation must be submitted by the deadline. The submission process may vary but typically includes creating an account on the CAC website and uploading the app and documentation.
How can you participate in the Congressional App Challenge?
Here are the steps you can take to participate:
Check if your district is participating: The Congressional App Challenge is organised at the district level, so you will need to check if your district is participating.
Review the rules: Remember to check the rules and guidelines for the competition on the official Congressional App Challenge website before you begin.
Make a team: You can participate as an individual or form a team with up to four students. You can also have a mentor or teacher to guide you.
Choose a topic: You need to come up with a topic for your app. You can create an app that addresses a problem or provides a solution to an issue in your community.
Develop your app: You will need to develop your app using any programming language or platform of your choice.
Submit your app: Once your app is complete, you need to submit it on the official Congressional App Challenge website. You will need to provide a video demonstration and a written description of your app.
Wait for the results: The submissions will be judged by a panel of experts, and the winners will be announced in December.
To conclude, the Congressional App Challenge is a challenge hosted by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives with the aim of encouraging students to learn coding and pursue a career in computer science. Its mission is to Inspire, Include and Innovate efforts around STEM, Coding and Computer Science Education. Students can use any programming language and on any platform. There are no limits on application themes and topics.
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