While attending CSTA 24 I came across an innovative program called The Congressional App Challenge, which is completely FREE. Organized by the U.S. House of Representatives, this challenge aims to inspire students of all levels to delve into coding, regardless of their prior experience in the field. Congressional representatives volunteer to host the challenge in their respective districts. Students form groups of four and develop an app to submit for the competition. The program's website offers a comprehensive selection of free coding tools and educational materials to ensure that all participants have the necessary resources to learn and engage. Teams should verify if their district is hosting a challenge (which is the case for most districts); if not, the website provides guidance on how to request their congressperson to host a challenge.
I appreciate the open-ended nature of this challenge and encouraging all students to apply, even if they have no prior coding experience. Last year 35 percent of participants were new to coding. It enables teams to make use of the resources at hand and learn coding independently, encouraging self-reliance. Collaborating in groups of four enhances teamwork and underscores the importance of working together. Furthermore, students will explore details about their congressional districts and the roles they play in our government.
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September 12, 2024 | Thursday| | 4:00 PM EST Click here to register
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September 17, 2024 | Tuesday| 4:00 PM PST Click here to register
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