Student registration is open now and submissions are due October 24th, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET.
ABOUT
Established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge encourages middle and high school students from across the country to develop an innovative app for a mobile device or computer. The competition is designed to expose students to the world of app development without requiring prior coding experience. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from and network with leading STEM educators and employers from North Carolina’s 4th District, who will act as mentors and judges in the competition.
ELIGIBILITY AND RESOURCES
To enter the competition, any middle or high schooler who lives or attends school in North Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District should submit a 1-3 minute video and questionnaire by the submission deadline. Students may submit as individuals or in teams of up to four. If competing with a team, at least half of the team must be eligible to compete in the district in which they are participating. The winners of the competition will have their app featured on the U.S. House of Representatives’ website and displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Winning students are invited to #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C. as well. Students may register to participate in the Congressional App Challenge here.
JUDGING AND PAST WINNERS
The competition winners will be selected by a panel of professional judges at a pitch competition during the fall. Although only a select group of finalists will be invited to participate in the pitch competition, all House App Challenge entrants—as well as their families, teachers, school administrators, and local education officials—will be invited to attend the competition and subsequent award ceremony.
Past winners can be found here, as well as their videos for inspiration.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who is eligible to participate?
A: Students are eligible as long as they live or attend high school or middle school in the Fourth District. If you do not reside or attend school in this District, you can check other participating districts. Students can also participate in teams up to four – at least two of the students must live or attend school in the District.
Q: What do I need to do to register?
A: Students must register for the challenge at: congressionalappchallenge.us. Only participating students may complete the registration. Teachers may not complete this on behalf of students.
Q: Do I need experience in coding?
A: Not at all! The App Idea Challenge allows for students to explore coding for the first time, or to advance their skills. A finished app is not required for final submission. Instead, a 1-3-minute video and answers to questions will be required.
Q: What is required for final submission?
A: Students will need to submit a 1-3-minute video detailing their app or app proposal, and answers to questions about the app idea process. A complete app is not required, but a final, fully detailed proposal is expected. For more information on the content on the video and other submission requirements, please view these materials.
Q: How many apps can I submit?
A: Each student or team may only submit one app to a single District.
Q: I created an app or app proposal for a different project. Can I submit that app to the competition?
A: Absolutely! Students may submit apps created for other programs or projects, as long as it meets the eligibility criteria listed above.
Q: What resources will be available during the Challenge?
A: To assist students in their app idea development, the Congressional App Challenge has partnered with sponsor STEM organizations to provide free resources that students can use to learn how to Code at Home. Students can access these free resources at https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/code-at-home.
Additional online resources are also available here. For ideas, you may also check out previous winners.