Code to Congress: National App Challenge Day Success
On September 19, Congress celebrated the inaugural National App Challenge Day, a momentous occasion highlighting the incredible work of talented students across the nation. This day was dedicated to recognizing the achievements of Congress inspiring young coders and the transformative power of STEM education in driving innovation and changing lives.
How Congress Celebrated:
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Members of Congress Learn to Code: The Congressional App Challenge hosted a coding session with three STEM leaders on Capitol Hill.
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Congressional Hackathon 6.0: The Congressional Hackathon took place later that afternoon, bringing together technologists and policymakers to innovate Congress.
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Social Media Campaign: Many joined the celebration by participating in our social media campaign, sharing stories and support for STEM education.
CONGRESS LEARNS TO CODE
National App Challenge Day kicked off with our most ambitious video project yet three leading Congresswomen – all STEM Leaders – help complete the coding for our Pass the Bill side-scrolling game. The Members helped update design, adjust game speed, and ultimately set high scores as they dodged gavels and filibusters to get their bills passed. Check out a preview of the coding sessions above and look out for the full videos in the coming weeks!
CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE ALUMNI AT CONGRESSIONAL HACKATHON 6.0
In celebration of National App Challenge Day, Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader Hakeem Jeffries invited seven Congressional App Challengers to take part in the Congressional Hackathon 6.0 on September 19. The Congressional Hackathon is where technologists meet policymakers and work on how to innovate Congress – and who would be better to help innovate than App Challengers? Our alumni delivered six lightning pitches on technical ideas to improve the work of Congress, sat in on congressional round tables, and took full advantage of the networking opportunities at the post-Hackathon pizza party hosted by Speaker Johnson. You can check out all of their lightning talks below.
App Challenge Lightning Talks at Congressional Hackathon 6.0
SOCIAL MEDIA TAKEOVER
National App Challenge Day saw an impressive 25% of the United States House of Representatives actively engage on social media to inform their communities about the Congressional App Challenge being hosted in their districts. This coordinated effort aimed to raise awareness and encourage participation in the challenge, which promotes STEM education and innovation among students.
The social media campaign was a resounding success, generating over 100,000 impressions across various platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. Representatives shared posts, videos, and stories highlighting the importance of coding and app development and showcasing the achievements of past participants. The campaign not only amplified the reach of the Congressional App Challenge but also fostered a sense of community and excitement around STEM education.
By leveraging the power of social media, National App Challenge Day effectively engaged a broader audience, inspiring the next generation of tech innovators and emphasizing the critical role of STEM skills in today’s digital world.