Dear Friends and Neighbors, 2026 Congressional App Challenge submissions are due October 26th! The Congressional App Challenge is designed to encourage students’ participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education fields. This nationwide event allows middle and high school students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software application, or "app," for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. The winning students’ apps will be eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website, House.gov. Furthermore, winning students will be invited to attend the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. Additional prizes will also be announced in the future. Qualification Details:Participants must be middle or high school students at the time of app submission.Students may compete if they reside in or attend school in the First District.Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four (4) students. At least half of the teammates on any team must live or attend school in the First District.All competing students must be U.S. residents at the time of submission. There is no citizenship requirement for students.All entries must be original in concept, design, and execution. More information about the CAC's rules can be found here. Applicants can register for the competition and submit their apps on the Congressional App Challenge website. Winners will be announced in December. If you have any questions, you can contact Congressman Wittman’s office by calling (202) 225-4261 or emailing sally.zinsner@mail.house.gov. The student support email for the CAC is studentsupport@congressionalappchallenge.us. Sincerely, Rob WittmanMember of Congress, Virginia’s 1st District P.S. Do you know someone who would be interested in this information? If so, forward this email and invite them to sign up for my newsletter here.