Press Release: 5 Weeks To Go in the Congressional App Challenge
TEENS INVITED TO SUBMIT ORIGINAL APPS FOR CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE THROUGH JAN. 15, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC – In the mutual spirit of Computer Science Education Week, teen coders are invited to submit original apps for the Congressional App Challenge from now through January 15, 2016. The Challenge is a congressional initiative to improve student engagement in coding and computer science. So far, 163 Representatives from 41 states – over a third of the Members of Congress – have signed up to host the app competition in their districts.
High school students in participating congressional districts can create and submit their own apps, which will be judged by panels of local judges. The Challenge judging period will last from January 16 to February 12, 2016 and Members of Congress will announce their district winners on February 22. Winners will be honored by their Member of Congress and have their apps featured on display in the Capitol building in Washington, DC. Representatives Mimi Walters and Hakeem Jeffries are co-chairing the 2015 Congressional App Challenge (CAC).
In 2014, students from 84 districts submitted apps. This year, the Challenge aims to expand upon that success by doubling the number of submissions. Recognizing the racial, gendered, and other disparities in the tech sector, the CAC is also emphasizing inclusivity. Deliberate efforts are being made to include students from all backgrounds, including those traditionally underrepresented in the tech community, through partnerships with organizations such as #YesWeCode and Technovation, which focus on including underserved urban youth and young women in tech, respectively.
Capital One is generously serving as the principal sponsor of the 2015 Congressional App Challenge as part of its $150 million Future Edge effort to help more Americans get the skills they need to succeed in the future. Recognizing that the future depends on the investments we make in today’s students, Capital One is proud to support the mission of engaging more students in coding and computer science. For more information on Capital One’s Future Edge initiative, visithttp://www.capitalone.com/
The 2015 CAC is only possible thanks to the leadership of the House of Representatives over the last several years. Committee on House Administration Chairwoman Candice Miller and Ranking Member Robert Brady worked hard to authorize the CAC. Representatives Bob Goodlatte and Anna G. Eshoo, co-chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus, requested creation of the CAC (and served as inaugural co-chairs). Representatives Mimi Walters and Hakeem Jeffries are serving as the 2015 CAC co-chairs.
For further information about the Challenge, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.
For Immediate Release
December 7, 2015
Contact: Rhianon Anderson, (202) 638-4370
randerson@
Executive Director, Congressional App Challenge
www.CongressionalAppChallenge.