Memory Monsters wins Rep. Matt Gaetz’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s First District
Rep. Matt Gaetz has named Chase Robbins, Sebastian Shinnick, and Luke Chavers of Niceville High School as the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s First District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Memory Monsters, the students said, “We knew all of the memory related methods that are presented in the app, but we noticed that not many people are also aware of these strategies. We wanted more people to learn and practice these methods, and what better way to do so than make an app with all the information and a few fun memory games.”
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.