Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today announced that high school students of the Fourth Congressional District are now able to participate in the Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a competition for U.S. high school students across the nation.

     “The App Challenge encourages high school students to get involved in STEM fields, computer science and programming by creating and exhibiting their software applications,” said Smith. “This challenge is a modest but important step to inspire creativity in students, urge them to pursue coding skills and prepare for good-paying, high-tech jobs.”

     The Challenge submission period is open now and will run until Nov. 2, 2016. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four. A panel of local judges will review all entrants and select one winner from the Fourth District. The winning apps from across the country will be featured on a display in the Capitol building.

     The CAC was created in part to highlight how Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and also because the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations. According to some estimates, the U.S. may be short as many as three million high-skilled tech workers by 2018.

     “Urging young men and women to enter the STEM fields is critical to the future of our nation and necessary for the development of a 21st century, high-skilled workforce that can compete in today’s global economy,” Smith continued. “I encourage all students in our Congressional District who want to participate to sign up today.”

     The Internet Education Foundation serves as the operational “sponsor” of the CAC. For more information or to submit an app for consideration, please visit: http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/compete-2016/submission-process-and-rules/

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