Press Releases

WILMINGTON, DE – Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) will participate in the third Congressional App Challenge (CAC), an app competition for students in high school and below.

“This challenge is a phenomenal opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in their classroom into real, functional apps,” Congresswoman Blunt Rochester said. “STEM education is increasingly important in our economy as we become more and more dependent on new and evolving technologies, and I’m glad that Congress continues to showcase the tremendous talents of our students. I encourage all students to participate and I look forward to seeing what they come up with.”

The Challenge will run through November 1, 2017. The competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. We strongly encourage all students of all skill levels 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 in the U.S. Capitol, on House.gov, and the Congressional App Challenge website.

The CAC was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and that the U.S. has been falling behind in these areas. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as a million programmers by 2020. These are high-paying, high-demand jobs that can be filled by American workers with the proper training. To maintain American competitiveness, it’s crucial that the U.S. invests in our youth today, so they have the needed skills that will prepare them for their careers. The CAC encourages all students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts.

Recognizing the racial, gendered, and other disparities in the tech sector, the CAC also prioritizes inclusivity in working diligently to ensure students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate.

The Internet Education Foundation will be serving as the operational “sponsor” of the CAC. For more information about the CAC, please visit: CongressionalAppChallenge.us.

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