TimeSync wins Rep. Tim Burchett’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Tennessee’s Second District
Rep. Tim Burchett has named Ahmed Zoyan Shaikh, a twelfth grader at L&N STEM Academy, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Tennessee’s Second District.
When asked what inspired the creation of TimeSync, the student said, “As a high school student who values time management, I’ve always sought ways to effectively manage my time and tasks so that I could do the best in my classes. Another reason that inspired me to create TimeSync was that I noticed the struggle of coordinating schedules for online interactions and collaborations since I have friends across the world in different time zones. My app not only helps me stay organized but also allows my friends and I to see when we’re all available to connect. By integrating global syncing, I aimed to enhance communication and collaboration, making it easier for us to engage no matter where we are in the world.”
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.