Ft Wayne Times

Congressman Jim Baird has announced the commencement of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge, inviting middle and high school students to engage in this educational initiative. Emphasizing the importance of STEM education, Congressman Baird expressed his support by stating, “I’m proud to announce that the 2025 Congressional App Challenge is now open. As a Ph.D. scientist and a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I know the value of STEM education and computer science. I encourage every middle and high school student in our district to participate, and I hope this encourages more students to engage in STEM fields. I wish all of the students participating the best of luck, and I look forward to seeing the impressive apps our students create this year!”

Participants in the challenge must submit their applications by 12:00 PM ET on October 30, 2025. They are allowed to use various programming languages, including C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and "block code," to create an app for any platform.

The selected winning apps might be showcased in the Capitol Building and on House.gov. Winners will also receive an invitation to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C., where they will present their projects alongside other national winners.

Eligibility criteria specify that entrants must be middle or high school students during the time of app submission. They can participate individually or in teams of up to four people, with at least half of the team eligible in the particular district of participation. All participants must be U.S. residents, although there is no citizenship requirement, and team members are required to submit their details through the registration form.

For guidelines, resources, and registration, interested students and educators can visit the official Congressional App Challenge website. Questions can be directed to StudentSupport@CongressionalAppChallenge.us.