Bonamici Invites Students to Compete in Congressional App Challenge

BEAVERTON, OR [09/28/17] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that her district is participating in the third annual Congressional App Challenge. All students in high school or younger who reside or attend school in the district are eligible and invited to compete. Oregon's First Congressional District includes all of Washington, Yamhill, Clatsop, and Columbia counties, as well as part of Multnomah County.

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition for students to use coding and computer science to create and exhibit a software application, or "app," for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. The competition is an example of STEAM education, which is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) plus arts and design.

"Participating in the Congressional App Challenge will require creative thinking and technology skills so students will be engaging both halves of the brain," said Congresswoman Bonamici. "This challenge is a great opportunity for students to participate in coding and design while raising awareness about the value of STEAM education."

Students entering the competition must submit their app's source code online during the Competition Submission Period before November 1, 2017, as well as provide a YouTube or VIMEO video demo explaining their app and what they learned through the competition process.

A panel of local experts will review the submissions. Winners from each participating congressional district will be acknowledged in a district awards ceremony and featured on the House.gov website. There will also be a display in the U.S. Capitol Building to honor all of the district winners.

More information about the competition, including how to register, is available here: /appchallenge and http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us.

Bonamici is a founder and co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts and design into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education to encourage creative thinking and engage more students. By supporting and recognizing young programmers, Congress is acknowledging the growing importance of these fields. The U.S. House of Representatives organizes the nationwide Congressional App Challenge each year.