Last week, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) announced the first ever Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Competition, nicknamed the ‘House App Contest.’ Students in the 52nd district will compete to create their own software application (app) to be judged by a panel of San Diego’s tech and innovation leaders. The winner will have their app featured on Rep. Peters’ website and on display in the United States Capitol building.

“San Diego is home to a burgeoning innovation economy and continues to develop as a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs. An app competition for high school students in the 52nd district is a perfect fit,” said Rep. Peters. “The next generation of innovative minds is currently learning skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math that are necessary to keep America competitive in future years.”

Established by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, the Congressional STEM Competition is a nationwide event that allows high school students from across the country to compete by creating and exhibiting their app for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.

Peters continued, “This competition provides an excellent opportunity to showcase San Diego’s talented students as they leverage their innovative, creative, and problem solving skills learned through STEM education programs in their schools, clubs, and extracurricular activities. San Diego is home to numerous companies, including everything from startups to major corporations, who specialize in technologies of the future. I am thrilled to invite students to compete against their peers.”

The ‘House App Contest’ is open to all high school students in the 52nd congressional district. Students entering the competition must submit their app’s source code online during the Competition Submission Period between now and 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 30, 2014, as well as provide a YouTube or VIMEO video demo explaining their app and what they learned through this competition process.

For more information on how to participate, please visit scottpeters.house.gov/houseappcontest, visit studentappchallenge.house.gov, or contact Shea Benton at Shea.Benton@mail.house.gov or (858) 455-5550.