July 03, 2019

Casten Announces Congressional App Challenge

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) is excited to announce that his office will be hosting a Congressional App Challenge (CAC), an app competition for students in middle and high school.

The CAC accepts computer programs (or apps) written in any programming language, for any platform (desktop/PC, web, mobile, raspberry Pi, etc.) The Challenge launches July 8th and students are encouraged to register online by September 10th. Apps should be submitted by November 1st. The competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements.

Any middle or high school student in the 6th district of Illinois is welcome to participate, regardless of their level of experience or coding skills. In this competition, students will create a software application, or "app" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choosing. Students have the option to work individually or with a group of up to four members and will be competing against their peers from their district.

Students of all skill levels are strongly encouraged to participate. 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 on these fronts. 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. To maintain American competitiveness, it's crucial that the United States invests in our youth now, and helps them acquire these valuable skills. The CAC encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges from the district and honored by Congressman Sean Casten. Their apps are eligible to be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol building, on house.gov, and on the Congressional App Challenge website.

To learn more about the competition or to submit an application please visit the Congressional App Challenges website at https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/. If there are additional questions regarding the Congressional App Challenge feel free to reach out to Congressman Sean Casten's district office.

May 23, 2019

Dear Principal and Teachers:

I am writing to invite all middle and high school students from Illinois 6th Congressional District to participate in the 2019 Congressional App Challenge.

Officially launched in 2015, this competition is a nationwide event intended to engage students' creativity and encourage their participation in STEM fields. Students will create a software application, or "app" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choosing. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four, as long as two of the teammates are eligible to participate in our district.

Students of all skill levels are strongly encouraged to participate. 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 on these fronts. 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. It's crucial that the United States invests in our youth now, and helps them acquire these valuable skills. The CAC encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts.

The challenge launches July 8th and students are encouraged to register online by September 10th, before submitting their app by the November 1st deadline.

For additional details, you can visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/

I hope that you will encourage your students to participate in this exciting event! Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my district office.

Sincerely,

Sean Casten

Member of Congress