Press Releases

Washington D.C. (November 19, 2015) | Today, the office of Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) announced the participation of Georgia’s 11th Congressional District in the 2nd Annual "Congressional App Challenge" – an opportunity for U.S. high school students to design creative apps that promote and encourage STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills.

"One of my favorite stories of America's rich history is that of the Wright brothers.  Still today, the story of these two young men demonstrates the true spirit of American ingenuity, as owners of a bicycle sales and repair shop, who dreamt of flight.  Merely sixty-six years passed from that incredible day on a beach in North Carolina, to the day Astronaut Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. That is American ingenuity, and the spirit that can be found in our students today. The "Congressional App Challenge" is one of those opportunities to give the new generation a chance to unleash their innate American creativity.  It is the type of program that will allow our students to showcase their skills and explore the exciting STEM-related fields, which will propel them into positions of global leadership. I encourage every high school in the 11th District to participate,” said Rep. Loudermilk.

Sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation, the Congressional App Challenge recognizes the talent of U.S. high school students in the areas of computer programming, design, and digital technology. As part of the competition, students will compete against their district peers by creating and exhibiting a software application, or app, for mobile, tablet, or computer device, on a platform of their choice.

Between November 9, 2015 and January 15, 2016, students may create an original app and submit it through Rep. Loudermilk’s Congressional App Challenge page.

Apps will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Quality of the idea, including creativity and originality
• Implementation of the idea, including user experience and design
• Demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills

A winning individual or team from Georgia’s 11th District will be selected by a local panel of judges and honored by Congressman Loudermilk. The winning app from each congressional district will also be featured as part of a special exhibit at the U.S. Capitol, and recognized on StudentAppChallenge.us.

For more information on the competition or how to enter, contact Claire Bartlett at Claire.bartlett@mail.house.gov, or visit the Congressional app challenge section on Rep. Loudermilk’s website.