EcoConnect wins Rep. Jake Auchincloss’ 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Massachusetts’ Fourth District
Rep. Jake Auchincloss has named Sophia Evans, a twelfth grader at King Philip Regional High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Massachusetts’ Fourth District.
When asked what inspired the creation of EcoConnect, the student said, “Everywhere I look, whether it’s a bustling city or my small town, there’s litter scattered across streets, parks, and public spaces. Many people recognize this as an issue, and organize cleanups to pick up the trash. However, I have noticed there is no main place for people to promote these events, so they lack participants and recognition. This sparked the idea for EcoConnect—a platform that gives these efforts visibility and brings people together for a common cause. Through EcoConnect, I hope my local town can pick up more trash, to make our community and environment more clean. Also, I think cleanups are a great way for communities to get to know each other, so EcoConnect can also unite towns while helping solve a global issue. Ultimately, I was motivated by the desire to see cleaner, more connected communities, where every person feels empowered to contribute to the well-being of their local environment.”
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.