Donovan urges students to enter congressional app contest

Winning entry to go on display in U.S. Capitol

October 7, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

John Abi-Habib, owner of MSI Net Inc. in Bay Ridge, served as a judge in last year’s contest. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas

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Students in Southwest Brooklyn who have a flair for creativity and taste for technology will have a chance to see their work go on display in the U.S. Capitol if they enter a contest sponsored by Congress.

The 2016 Congressional App Challenge is taking place between now and Nov. 2, according to U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, who is urging students in his district to enter the contest.

Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) announced that his office is accepting submissions for the competition.

The contest is open to all students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Students are required to create apps.

The goal of the competition is to help students develop an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.

“A great idea can come from anywhere, and solutions to our nation’s greatest problems will come from engaging our next generation of innovators,” Donovan said in a statement. “This challenge is a great way for students to use computer science and coding to showcase their talents and creativity, and I can’t wait to see what apps they develop.”

The submission period runs now through Nov. 2. The winners will be chosen based on the originality, creativity and quality of their app design.

The winning app will be put on a display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the Congressional App Challenge website, Donovan said.

Last year’s winning team included local high school students Nouran Ibrahim, Dhvanil Shah, Johan Ferreras and Sagar Punjabi, who developed “Neuron,” an app that created a marketplace for students to buy or sell college textbooks directly to one another.

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For additional information about the Congressional App Challenge, students may visit https://donovan.house.gov/Challenge or contact Staff Assistant Joseph Kalmin at (202) 225-3371.