MicroMind Balance wins Rep. Kevin Kiley’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Third District
Rep. Kevin Kiley has named Sindhu Vemulapalli of and Ashi Gupta of Vista del Lago High School as the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Third District.
When asked what inspired the creation of MicroMind Balance, the students said, “Our inspiration for creating MicroMind Balance came from our experiences volunteering at Cogir of Folsom, a senior care facility where we witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. We saw how these conditions can gradually erode memories, independence, and joy, not only for the individuals themselves but also for their families and caretakers. Observing the daily battles residents endured with cognitive decline, we felt a deep motivation to do something impactful: something that could preserve the light in their lives despite the challenges of aging and memory loss.
During our time at Cogir, we noticed that seemingly simple activities, such as solving puzzles, listening to music, or enjoying a meal, could bring immense joy and offer moments of clarity and peace. We realized that these small moments of happiness and mental engagement could be harnessed and amplified with technology. This led us to the idea of creating an app that combines scientifically supported tools—such as dietary tracking, music therapy, and cognitive games—to support mental well-being. Our experiences taught us that while we cannot reverse neurodegenerative conditions, there are ways to manage symptoms and improve quality of life in meaningful ways.”
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.