Recyclopedia wins Rep. Michelle Steel’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 45th District
Rep. Mike Rogers has named Atticus Cornett, an 11th Grader at Crossroads Christian School, as the winner of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge in Alabama’s Third District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Recyclopedia, the students said, “I very recently learned about the CRV system when one of my teachers was fundraising by collecting plastic bottles. I was extremely intrigued that California had programs that encouraged recycling like this. When we were brainstorming for the Congressional App Challenge, I brought this up and learned that my partner was an avid recycling enthusiast, visiting the recycling center every week. I, on the other hand, didn’t even know where the closest recycling center was and had never seen one before. He also explained to me the different types of products and all the different specifications, like the different types of plastics. This was initially very confusing; I didn’t know where and how to start. After I researched how to recycle, I had the idea to simplify this for others by creating a website. The main functions of our app were inspired by the struggle that the average, uninformed consumer faces, and guide new users through the process.”
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.