Newhouse Announces Winners of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced the winner of the 2022 Central Washington Congressional App Challenge, an app-designing competition for middle and high school students. Advaitha Motkuri from Richland High School designed the winning concept, People’s Pupil: A Detection in Intoxication.
Her app concept would use pupil size to detect levels of intoxication. If a person is identified as intoxicated, the app would immediately call an Uber for them. You can view her presentation on the application here.
“Congratulations to Advaitha on winning this year’s Central Washington Congressional App Challenge!” said Rep. Newhouse. “Every year, the Congressional App Challenge highlights the bright minds of Central Washington students. It is important for Congress to continue to support the next generation of leaders in STEM, computer science, and coding skills. Congratulations Advaitha, I am confident that you and other Central Washington students will continue to learn and grow in this field.”
The winning app was selected by a panel of expert judges from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The winner will receive a computer science mentorship session with scientists from the laboratory as well as a PNNL “swag bag.” The winning app will also be featured on a video display in the U.S. Capitol building, as well as House.gov and the Congressional App Challenge website.
Background:
The CAC was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as 1 million programmers by 2021. These are high-paying, high-demand jobs. To maintain American competitiveness, it’s crucial that the United States invests in our youth now and helps them acquire these valuable skills. The CAC encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts.
Last year’s Central Washington Congressional App Challenge winners, three 8th graders from the West Valley Innovation Center – Andrew Modine, Torin Rauch, and Tyler Iverson, won with their app Beating Heart Health.
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