DietApp wins Rep. Grace Napolitano’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 31st District
Rep. Grace Napolitano has named Owen Chen, an eleventh grader at Nogales High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 31st District.
When asked what inspired the creation of DietApp, the student said, “I was inspired to create this app due to news about the American society obesity rate rising as a result of poor diet management. This made me realize how important a healthy diet will contribute to the longevity of a human lifespan and the mobilization of a human when they grow older. One of the most common traits a majority of youths lack is awareness, as many of their actions are shaped by impulsive thoughts. From this app, I hope that most people will begin to be aware of their own health and seek alternatives like this app to support them so that they don’t suffer from fatal health conditions that will restrain them from doing what they want to do too soon in life.”
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.