Storm Shield wins Rep. Keith Self’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’ Third District
Rep. Keith Self has named Aadi Sanghvi, Aarohan Sharma, Aarohan Sharma, and Vaibhav Kolli of Centennial High School as the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’ Third District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Storm Shield, the students said, “When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017, we weren’t even in high school yet. And even though we were hundreds of miles away, witnessing the devastation the hurricane wrought was horrifying. The catastrophic storms flooded homes, destroyed communities, displaced thousands of people, and created billions of dollars in damages. Once the storm passed, we saw volunteers stepping up to provide critical assistance: rescuing individuals stranded by the floods and distributing food, water, and essential supplies. However, it became evident that these volunteer efforts could be better managed.
While many people were eager to help, they often didn’t know where their assistance was most needed. Resources were wasted due to overlapping volunteer efforts, while some areas received little to no support. This misalignment created significant delays in relief efforts and exacerbated the suffering of the affected communities. It was heartbreaking to witness the chaos when so many wanted to contribute positively. Hurricane Harvey was just one example illustrating the urgent need for a system that could streamline and coordinate volunteer efforts. Texas has experienced its share of disasters and each time, the same challenges arise. Eager individuals are unable to help effectively or find ways to contribute.
Our app was designed specifically to address this issue. By providing a platform for organizations to broadcast volunteering shifts, anyone who meets prerequisites is able to sign up. Storm Shield acts as a bridge between organizations in need of help and volunteers looking to assist, ensuring that every effort counts.
In a world where natural disasters are increasingly common, we have greater need than ever for a system that allows individuals to step up and give back to their community; we believe that our app can transform how communities respond to crises. ”
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.