Congressional App Challenge

Overview

Each year, Congressman Sessions has the honor of hosting a district-wide Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for middle school and high school students. The competition fosters an opportunity for participants to learn how to code and encourages young people to pursue careers in computer science. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.

This competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. We strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps. Students are encouraged to register online and submit their apps by 11:00 am CST November 1st, 2023. 

The winning app will be publicly recognized in the 17th Congressional district of Texas, and it will be featured on the United States House of Representatives website and the Congressional App Challenge website. Winning students will also be invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C.

To register for the competition, please click HERE.

Rules & Requirements

Eligibility and Age Division

  • Participants must be a middle or high school student at the time of app submission;
  • Students may register as individuals or as teams of up to four. No more than 4 students are allowed to form a team;
  • Students may compete in the district they reside in or the district they attend school in;
  • If competing as a team, at least two of the teammates must be eligible to compete in the district in which they are participating in.

App Parameters

  • Topic– The app can be about any topic.
  • Platform– The app can be on any platform (web app, desktop/PC app, a web
    browser extension, robot, Ruby on Rails, mobile, etc).
  • Programming Language– Use any programming language: C/C++, Objective
    C, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Swift, “block code”, etc.
  • Functionality– The app must have some degree of functionality to be
    competitive.
  • Content Suitability– 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.
  • Originality– The app must be original and solely owned by the contestant such
    that no other party has any rights or interest, whether known or unknown.

If you would like more information on the 2023 Congressional App Challenge, please review the complete rulebook.

To learn more about the competition or to submit an app go to the Congressional App Challenge website.