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Luján Announces that 2017 Congressional App Challenge is Now Open

Contest encourages students to write computer code to create new apps

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) today announced that schools in New Mexico’s Third District will be invited to participate in the third annual Congressional App Challenge, an app creation competition for students in high school age and lower.

An app is a piece of software or program created to run on a variety of platforms (such as the Internet, a computer, a phone, or other electronic device). Often, the term “app” is used to refer specifically to software used on smartphones and tablets, but apps are not limited to mobile platforms. Apps can be run on any device capable of executing a program, including smartphones/tablets, web-browsers, and desktop computers. Most apps today are created to run across multiple platforms. To participate in the Congressional App Challenge, the students may create any type of app they like – entertainment apps (e.g., games), apps to simplify work functions (e.g., calendar or editing apps), or to support health (e.g. fitness tracking apps). All apps will be judged on the quality of the idea, including creativity and originality; implementation of the idea, including user experience and design; and demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills.

“The Congressional App Challenge was created because Congress recognized that science, math and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by many as a million programmers by 2020,” said Luján. “These are high-paying, high-demand jobs, and it’s crucial that the United States invests in our youth, and helps them acquire the skills they will need to succeed. This contest encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their hard work.”

The Congressional App Challenge runs from July 26 through November 1, 2017. Luján said the app competition is open to all students, regardless of coding experience, as long as they meet the following eligibility guidelines:

Students may compete in either

  • the Congressional district in which they reside, or
  • the district in which they attend school.

Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four.

  • Teams with five or more students will NOT be considered eligible.
  • If competing as a team: at least two of the teammates must be eligible to compete within the district in which they are submitting.

There is no technical age minimum, but the contest is generally intended for high school students.

  • Students may not participate after having graduated from high school.

Luján said students of all skill levels are strongly encouraged to participate and to learn how to create their own apps. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and be given Congressional recognition for their achievements in STEM and Computer Science. Their apps will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC, on the house.gov website, and on the Congressional App Challenge website (http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/)

The Internet Education Foundation, a non-profit organization created to promote the Internet as a valuable medium for democratic participation, communications, and commerce, will be serving as the operational “sponsor” of the Congressional App Challenge. For further information about the Challenge, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us

Last year, Roman Bell, a student at Santa Fe High School won the Third District Congressional App Challenge with his game app, Newton’s Law of Industrialism.

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