Ninodew (We dance) wins Rep. Pete Stauber’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Minnesota’s Eighth District
Ninodew (We dance) wins Rep. Pete Stauber’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Minnesota’s Eighth District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Ninodew (We dance), the students said, “A team quest that started back in 2022 to bring more STEM and Robotics opportunities to the nearby reservation, Bois Forte-Nett Lake and Lake Vermilion, inspired us. We wanted to do something the kids could really be involved with and bring more STEM to our camps. Creating personalized regalia for 3D printed torsos/bases was an idea many team members felt would be a great starting place. After many meetings, it was agreed that it would be super fun to have these torso/bases ‘dance’ to the drum like powwow dancing. When the beat hits, the torso connected to a servo would spin, just like a Jingle Dress dancer or a Woodland dancer.”
This year’s Congressional App Challenge set new records, with an unprecedented 382 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions—surpassing the previous high of 374. An incredible 12,682 students from across the country participated, representing a growth of over 1,000 students compared to 2023. These talented students submitted an astounding 3,881 original applications, showcasing their creativity, passion for technology, and the limitless potential of America’s next generation of innovators. This surge in participation reflects the increasing excitement around STEM and highlights a bright future for American innovation.
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival.
The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from the Broadcom Foundation, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.
The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2025, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.