NeuroGaze wins Rep. Ted Lieu’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 36th District
Rep. Ted Lieu has named Markenever Dai and Mikenever Dai of Harvard Westlake as the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 36th District.
When asked what inspired the creation of NeuroGaze, the students said, “The inspiration behind NeuroGaze comes from our personal experiences with ADHD and the difficulties encountered during the diagnosis process. Getting a diagnosis can be a long, complex journey that often requires multiple appointments with specialists, which takes a lot of time and can become frustrating. In addition, the high costs of evaluations and consultations present another barrier, making it difficult for many people to receive an official diagnosis. We wanted to address these challenges by creating a more accessible and cost-effective solution.
Beyond the challenges of diagnosis, our experience with treatment has greatly impacted our lives. Once diagnosed, we received accommodations that allowed us to manage ADHD more effectively, especially in academic settings. With the right support, such as extended time on tests, we have been able to perform better in school and reach our potential. Medication has also played an important role by helping us stay more focused and organized in daily tasks, making it easier to handle long-term projects and academic work. Additionally, simply being aware of our ADHD has allowed us to understand ourselves better, reducing impulsivity and improving self-control.
NeuroGaze was developed out of a desire to share these benefits with others. We wanted to create a tool that could help detect ADHD earlier and more easily, providing individuals with a path toward treatment and support. By leveraging technology, we aim to make this process quicker, more affordable, and accessible to a wider audience, ultimately helping more people receive the accommodations and treatments that can make a real difference in their lives.”
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.