Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has announced that high school students of the Fourth Congressional District are now able to participate in the Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a competition for U.S. high school students across the nation.
The following communities are in the Fourth Congressional District, which Smith represents in Washington, D.C.: Allentown, Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan, Millstone Township and Upper Freehold Township.
“The App Challenge encourages high school students to get involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, computer science and programming by creating and exhibiting their software applications,” Smith said. “This challenge is a modest, but important step to inspire creativity in students, urge them to pursue coding skills and prepare for well-paying, high-tech jobs.”
The CAC submission period is open now and will run until Nov. 2. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four. A panel of local judges will review all entrants and select one winner from the Fourth District. The winning apps from across the country will be featured on a display in the Capitol building, according to a press release.
The CAC was created in part to highlight how STEM skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and also because the United States has been falling behind on these fronts, according to the press release. STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations. According to some estimates, the United States may be short as many as three million high-skilled tech workers by 2018, according to the press release from Smith’s office.
“Urging young men and women to enter the STEM fields is critical to the future of our nation and necessary for the development of a 21st century, high-skilled workforce that can compete in today’s global economy,” Smith said. “I encourage all students in our Congressional District who want to participate to sign up today.”
The Internet Education Foundation serves as the operational “sponsor” of the CAC. For more information or to submit an app for consideration, visit http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/compete-2016/submission-process-and-rules/