Congressional App Challenge Class

Code apps to solve social problems in your districts

Grades 6-12
2-6 students group class
60 minutes per session
Live online class

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Congressional App Challenge Mentoring Classes

The Congressional App Challenge program, hosted by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives, encourages middle school and high school students to create and submit their original apps that solve a district-specific problem. Students can use Python, JavaScript, or any other programming languages to build the apps. The winning apps will be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website.

Note - Congressional App Challenge opens around summer each year and ends October / November. So we only run these mentoring classes July - October. If you are interested in this excellent challenge, we recommend taking one or more of following classes first so you have the core coding skills to build the apps - Modern Website Design with Wix, Mobile Coding for Apps and Games, Python for AI, or Build Your Web with HTML/CSS/Javascript.

The Congressional App Challenge is a great way to apply what you have learned in coding to highlight and solve real world problems. Any student in middle school or highschool can submit projects, as long as your congressional district participates (check here to see if your district is part of it).

Eager to join but don’t know what project to build and how to complete it end to end? To help more students participate, we are running several groups of mentoring classes. Depending on your child's favorite tools, your child can choose to build their apps with WIX (website), Thunkable (for mobile apps), or HTML/CSS/Javascript. We run mentoring classes for each of the areas.

Each group will meet for 5 sessions. We will bring students through the entire process of identifying real world problems, designing the overall app, planning out the steps, and building the app step by step. Our teacher will also help students resolve any coding challenges they might run into during the development process. We estimate students will need to spend 2-3 hours a week to build the app outside of the class to complete a medium level difficulty project in 5 weeks. Check out projects by 2022 winners for references.

Please note that you need to have learned WIX, HTML/CSS/Javascript, or Thunkable to join the respective mentoring classes. Read FAQ at the bottom of the page for more details.

Congressional App Challenge (WIX)
This class is designed for students who would like to build their app with WIX for the Congressional App Challenge. WIX is a great way to design and create beautiful and powerful website, without having to code much. We will guide students to identify real world programs, design the website, to build it step by step. Our teacher will also help students resolve any challenges they might run into. You need to have completed our Modern Website Design with Wix or learned equivalent materials to join.

Congressional App Challenge (Thunkable)
This class is designed for students who would like to build their mobile app with Thunkable for the Congressional App Challenge. Similar to other mentoring sessions, we identify real world programs, design the app, and help students resolve any coding challenges they might run into during the development process. You need to have completed our Mobile Coding for Apps and Games class to join.

Congressional App Challenge (Javascript)
This class is designed for students who would like to build their app with HTML/CSS/Javascript for the Congressional App Challenge. We will start from identifying real world programs, designing the app, to building it step by step. Our teacher will also help students resolve any coding challenges they might run into during the development process. You need to have completed our Build Your Web or learned equivalent materials to join.

$95 (5 Sessions)
1.25 class pack credits

Don't see a time that works for you? Request another time.

Must have taken our Mobile Coding for Apps and Games class (https://www.create-learn.us/mobile-for-kids/first-mobile-apps#mobile) or are familiar with Thunkable to join

Explore Classes By Grade Level

Grades 2-4

Grades 4-6

Grades 6-9

Grades 9-12

FAQ:

Q: Where and how do I register for the Congressional App Challenge?

A: The 2021 Congressional App Challenge is open for registration now and the deadline for submission is Oct. 22nd, 2021. Students may register as individuals or as teams of up to four. Students can register in either the district they reside or attend school in.

Q: Can my kid participate?

A: Only students in middle and highschools can participate. And your congressional district needs to be part of the initiative as well. You can Check the list here to determine. If your district is not participating, we might be able to find students who are in districts that are participating to form a group.

Q: Do I have to sign up for Create & Learn mentoring classes to submit projects?

A: No, you can submit your app yourself directly on the Congressional App Challenge website. Our classes are designed to help students build high quality projects and learn along the way the iterative process of solving real world problems, app building, and answering technical questions that might come up.

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