Kilili invites 2019 App Challenge competitors

Marianas High School students Gauen Yang, Mimi Sakano, Celina Wu, and Ian Rei Cataluna, alongside Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), showcased their winning app at the House of Code Demo Day at the Capitol in May. (Contributed Photo)

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) invites all middle school and high school students to showcase their technological design and programming skills by participating in the 2019 Congressional App Challenge. Students may now register online for the challenge, individually or in teams of up to four, at http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/. Online registration and submissions are due Nov. 1, 2019.

“The App Challenge is an opportunity for youth to get hands-on experience with coding, computer science, and [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics]. They are able to get creative and have fun while finding innovative ways to develop their ideas,” Sablan said.

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide effort to encourage student participation in computer science and coding. Last year, 13 entries competed in the Congressional App Challenge in the CNMI.

An “app,” short for “application,” is a software program that can be run on one or more platforms for different purposes.

Participants may create any type of app, using any programming language and any platform they prefer, so long as it is appropriate, original, and functional to some degree. Submission requirements include a registration form, app information, a 1-3 minute demonstration video, and an exit questionnaire.

“Our young programming talent in the Marianas is expanding,” Sablan added. “The App Challenge invites students of all skill levels to express their passion, talent, and creativity in technology.”

The 2018 winning app, “The Health Buddy: Diabetes,” was designed by Marianas High School students Ian Rei Cataluna, Mimi Sakano, Gauen Yang, and Celina Wu. Cataluna, Sakano, Yang, and Wu presented their app to members of Congress and representatives of the technology industry this past May at the House of Code reception in Washington, D.C. Check out their app at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SfTcnhOlng&feature=youtu.be.

More details about the App Challenge are available on the congressional office’s website at https://sablan.house.gov or the App Challenge’s official website, http://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/. For more information, contact the congressional office at kilili@mail.house.gov or call 323-2647. (PR)