Did you know that Congress has an Internet Caucus?
Given the tremendous influence of online communications and social media networking among the current young generation, a congressional Internet caucus is certainly relevant.
Internet Caucus members Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Mimi Walters (CA-45) on Monday announced the launch of the second annual Congressional App Challenge (CAC), created to foster science, technology, math and engineering (STEM) skills in today's youth. Jeffries and Walters are the co-chairs of this year's challenge.
The app challenge is a national competition that allows U.S. high school students to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software application, or "app," for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. Participants may enter individually or as a group, and winners are selected from all U.S. congressional districts where their representatives are participating.
According to some estimates, the US may be short as many as 3 million high-skilled workers by 2018 — a gap that is likely to widen if we don't begin to educate tomorrow's workers today. The CAC is designed to encourage students to learn and use those skills.
"The world's greatest technology firms were born in the United States: Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook, among others," said Jeffries. "Competitions such as the Congressional App Challenge are exceptionally important because they cultivate the next generation of great American entrepreneurs"
The competition will begin accepting entries on November 9, 2015, through January 15, 2016.
Last year, the App's inaugural year, there were submissions from over 80 congressional districts. The goal this year is to double that, with a special focus on obtaining participation from demographics traditionally underrepresented in the technology industry.
Rep. Jeffries is encouraging teens in his district to sign up and compete! Winners will be selected by local judging panels and honored by their Member of Congress. The winning apps will also be featured on a display in the Capitol building.
If you would like to receive email updates about the Challenge, please sign up here.
For further information, please visit CongresssionalAppChallenge.us.
