The Morning Consult: Lawmakers Hope App Challenge Will Get Students Excited About STEM Subjects

Starting in mid-July, students will have the chance to submit their coolest app designs to members of Congress for the third annual Congressional App Challenge, a competition lawmakers are hoping will boost interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

From July 18 through Nov. 2, young programmers can send their creations to members of Congress, and winners will have their apps displayed in the U.S. Capitol. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Rep. Anna Eshoo of California, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, created the challenge as a way to encourage American students to improve in STEM subjects.

“STEM and coding skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts,” said the two lawmakers, who are co-chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus. “To maintain American competitiveness, it’s crucial that we continue to invest in our youth and help them acquire these vital STEM-based skills. We have an opportunity to encourage students to do so through this Challenge.”

This year’s challenge will be chaired by Reps. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).

“We are currently on track to reach a million unfilled programming jobs by 2020,” Moulton said in a statement. “This challenge is a nationwide effort to open up those opportunities to students in every community, and I look forward to seeing what they create.”

Last year more than 1,700 students submitted app designs. Some of 2015’s winners included VoteFor.Us, which aims to get more Americans to vote, and Mezzo, which connects food establishments to local donation spots.