Bunny Bounce wins Rep. Haley M. Stevens’ 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Michigan’s 11th District

When asked what inspired the creation of Bunny Bounce, the student said, “My inspiration for creating this app stemmed from noticing the significant shift toward online work. Since COVID-19, the prevalence of online jobs has quadrupled, as many companies have realized the convenience and efficiency of allowing employees to work from home. My own father, a programmer who used to commute and work in the office five days a week, began working remotely during the pandemic. Even after COVID-19, many companies, such as my father’s, still manage completely online.

Although remote work can be flexible and convenient, it also has a downside—many remote workers are less active, as they no longer leave the house for a daily commute or naturally walk around an office environment. Before, simply being in an office setting would encourage regular physical activity, like walking to meetings or moving around the workspace. At home, however, people are required to spend hours sitting in front of a screen, usually with minimal movement throughout the day. This lifestyle is becoming increasingly common, making it harder for many people to get their regular exercise.

I realized there was a way to address this problem through technology. A fitness app could help encourage people to stay active, even from the comfort of their own home. However, I also recognized that many people struggle to maintain a home fitness routine, as exercises like running on a treadmill or doing repetitive workouts can feel boring and uninspiring. That’s when the idea of combining fitness with gaming came to my mind. Games have a special way of keeping people engaged and making even difficult tasks enjoyable. By integrating real-time fitness movements into a fun and interactive game, I could create an app that encourages people to exercise without it feeling like a chore.

With Bunny Bounce, fitness is both accessible and entertaining, encouraging players to stay active while playing an enjoyable, interactive game. Combining exercise and games can make staying healthy a more engaging and rewarding experience, especially for those who may struggle with traditional fitness routines!”