Student Safe Way wins Rep. Katie Porter’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 47th District
Rep. Katie Porter has named Isaac Sohn of Orange County School of the Arts and Aiden Kim of Beckman High School as the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 47th District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Student Safe Way, the students said, “We were inspired to create StudentSafeway after witnessing numerous pedestrian accidents, rising carbon emissions, and alarming crime rates during school commutes. The tipping point came when a student from our school was involved in a car accident while e-biking, underscoring the urgent need for safer, more reliable solutions for students.
Beyond safety, we recognized the importance of reducing carbon emissions to help combat climate change, which has led to more frequent and severe events like floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. Our goal is to promote eco-friendly transportation options that not only protect students but also contribute to a healthier planet.”
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.