Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced that youth in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District will be able to participate in the third annual Congressional App Challenge; a programming competition for students in high school and younger.  Students, individually or in teams, are tasked with creating, coding and implementing a new and innovative computer application.

“I firmly support investment in STEM education as our district is home to a burgeoning hotbed of business startups known as the Silicon Prairie.  We must prepare our students for competitive employment in the high-tech industry and enhance American competitiveness in the global economy,” said Congressman Bacon.  “The Congressional App Challenge is an incredible opportunity to highlight America’s talented young programmers and encourage students to develop their technology skills.”

The period for official submissions to the Congressional App Challenge will run from July 26 through November 1 of this year.  The competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience.  Applications on all platforms are accepted.  In the past, mobile apps, web apps, study tools, games, journal apps, and more have been submitted.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and given congressional recognition for their achievements in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education and computer science.  Their apps will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the official House of Representatives website, and on the Congressional App Challenge website.

Applicants will be judged based on the following criteria:

a. Quality of the idea (including creativity and originality)
b. Implementation of the idea (including user experience and design)
c. Demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills
d. Quality of responses submitted to judges.

The Congressional App Challenge is sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation and was created to encourage expansion of high school students’ interest in STEM and computer-based skills. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by many as a million programmers by 2020. The Congressional App Challenge encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts.

For further information about the Congressional App Challenge, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.