NeuroNest wins Rep. Marc Veasey’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’ 33rd District
Rep. Marc Veasey has named Anika Gopal, an eleventh grader at The Hockaday School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’ 33rd District.
When asked what inspired the creation of NeuroNest, the student said, “The idea for this app was inspired by my volunteering at ACEing autism, a nonprofit organization focused on helping autistic children learn and grow through social connections from tennis. For the past 4 years, I have worked with children on the spectrum, and I have realized that it is sometimes difficult to decipher the child’s tone. For these children, sometimes it is harder to connect what facial expression goes with what tone or message they intend to convey. Through working with these children, I have developed a passion for helping them connect with their therapists better and more efficiently. ”
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.