WASHINGTON — If you’re a middle school or high school student with interest and ability in computer science, the U.S. Congress has a contest for you.
The Congressional App Challenge is a premier contest in computer science, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-1st.
The release said participation in the challenge has grown exponentially to reached underserved, diverse and rural student populations.
What’s more, she said the challenge is transforming how Congress views computer science and STEM or science, technology, engineering and math.
Since the challenge was first announced, the release said, congressional mentions of computer science and coding have increased by 2,000% — “thanks to the talented STEM students across the nation, including those in East Tennessee.”
“The STEM field is one of the fastest-growing industries around the world. The future of just about every industry — from manufacturing to farming — is centered around STEM,” Harshbarger said in the release.
“The Congressional App Challenge provides an incredible opportunity for students across Tennessee’s First District to highlight their technical skills in innovation and coding by creating an app for smartphones, tablets, desktops and other devices.”
Last year, the first-place winner from Harshbarger’s Northeast Tennessee district was Graham Mefford from University School in Johnson City on the East Tennessee State University campus, a demonstration school at ETSU technically part of the Washington County school system.
His app, Stridease, helps users monitor and maintain their foot health.
“With the amount of walking I do around Congress, I really appreciated this one,” Harshbarger said.
The second-place winner, Ryan Zheng of Science Hill High School in Johnson City Schools, developed EcoQuest, an app designed to empower individuals to protect the environment through challenges that encourage recycling.
“I can’t wait to see what our incredible students will create this year,” Harshbarger said.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to participate in the Congressional App Challenge, students must be enrolled in middle or high school at the time of app submission. Students may register individually or in teams of up to four. No more than four students are allowed per team.
Students may compete in the district where they reside or where they attend school. If competing as a team, at least half of the team members must be eligible to compete in the district in which they are participating.
In addition, all competing students must be U.S. residents at the time of submission.
Students can use any programming language, including C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby and “block code,” and any platform, such as a PC, web, tablet, robot or mobile device. There are no limits on application theme or topic.
A full list of rules is available online at the CAC website at https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-CAC-Rules.pdf.
Registration for the contest is open now and will close on Oct. 30. Students are encouraged to register online before submitting their completed app by the deadline.
Full details about the contest can be found on Harshbarger’s website at https://harshbarger.house.gov/ or on the Congressional App Challenge website at https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/.