Congressional App Challenge

Congressional App Challenge Graphic

We are pleased to announce that Congressman Scott Fitzgerald’s office will be participating in the Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding.

The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle school and high school students who reside in or attend a school in Wisconsin’s Fifth District. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four, as long as two of the teammates are eligible to participate (reside in the 5th Congressional district).

This competition allows students to develop and exhibit a software application (app) for web, PC, tablet, mobile, raspberry Pi or other platform of their choice. The program will accept any programming language, such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, "block code," and others.

A panel of judges from Wisconsin’s Fifth District will select the winning entry, and the winning student(s) will be recognized by Congressman Fitzgerald. The winning app will be eligible to be featured on a display in the United States Capitol building, on the ‘House.gov’ website, and on the Congressional App Challenge website.

Students can register and find more information on the Congressional App Challenge website at: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/ and visit the “Students” section.

Requirements
Deadline: Student applications close November 1, 2021

Topic: App projects can be about any topic

Platform: All app platforms are accepted (web app, desktop/PC app, mobile app, web browser extension, robot, Ruby on Rails, etc.)

Programming Language: Any programming language can be used (C/C++, Objective C, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Swift, “block code”, etc.)

Functionality: Apps must have some degree of functionality to be competitive

Content: The app cannot be indecent, defamatory, in obvious bad taste, demonstrate a lack of respect for public morals or conduct, adversely affect the reputation of congressional districts, or depict hatred, defame, or threaten a specific community in the society or incite violence. Apps containing pornography, obscenity or sexual activity are prohibited. The app must not violate the Intellectual Property, common law, or privacy rights of other parties.

Demonstration Video: Students must create a demonstration video that provides the following information:

  • The name(s) of each participant;
  • The name of the app;
  • Clearly explain the purpose of the app;
  • Explain the app’s target audience (who the app is intended for?);
  • The tools and coding languages used to create the app;
  • Show how the app works.

The video should be 1-3 minutes long. Video submissions which do not adhere to the time constraints may be penalized by the judges at their discretion. While this is not a video-creation competition, the judges view the demonstration video to learn about the app.
The video should be as clear and compelling as possible. Upload the completed video to YouTube, Vimeo, or any other video-hosting site. The video must be set to “public”.

Judging
Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by District Judges. Awards will be judged based on the following criteria:

  • Quality of the idea (including creativity and originality)
    • How creative is the app?
    • How original is it?
    • If the app addresses a problem, how creative is the solution?
  • Implementation of the idea (including user experience and design)
    • Did the student consider the user experience?
    • Did the student give thought to the app design?
  • Demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills
    • Did the students use CS skills to code their app?
    • Is the app fully functional and applicable for societal use?

Prizes
The winning app in each district will be featured on the House.gov website and the CongressionalAppChallenge.us website. Winning students are also invited to #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C.

The winning student(s) will receive a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Fitzgerald.