news

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) announced today the beginning of a Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Competition to design, develop and produce a new software application – or “app” – for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Students can participate by designing a working or conceptual software application and presenting it in a two minute YouTube video. In the spring, a panel of judges from the Capital Region will determine the best presentations. One winning student from the area will have their design featured at an interactive exhibit at the United States Capitol.

Interested students, educators, and administrators can find out more information and sign up at www.challenge.gov or www.challengepost.com beginning February 1^st.

“Our region is known for harnessing the spirit of innovation and turning it into technological advancement, job growth, and economic development. This inaugural Congressional STEM competition will encourage high school students in the Capital Region to push the limits of their creativity and can help to enhance the quality of life in our communities. I look forward to seeing the ideas that come from our students, and showcasing their work in Washington,” said Tonko.

Congressman Tonko’s STEM competition is open to students who are eligible to enroll in a high school located within the boundaries of New York’s 20^th Congressional District. Details on the competition have been mailed to principals and teachers at eligible high schools. A panel of educators and STEM experts will judge each entry and choose a winner to be announced May 23.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, just 16 percent of American high school students are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career. The U.S. Department of Commerce reported Americans employed in the STEM fields earn 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts. Even if students do not work in the STEM fields, those with STEM backgrounds out-earn their peers.

Additional information can be obtained by viewing the below resources and dates or calling Congressman Tonko’s office in Washington, D.C.

Resources for Students and Teachers

• Code.org
• 36 Resources To Help You Teach Kids Programming
• CodeAcademy.COM self-taught courses in HTML/CSS, Python, Ruby, and PHP
• MIT App Inventor tutorial to develop mobile apps on Android phones.
• Scratch a simple visual programming language
• Alice, used to create 3D animations
• Development Kits....Apple, Android and Windows

Important Dates

• February 1:       Contest Opens
• April 30:           Contest Closes
• May 23:           Winner Announced
• May 30:           Participating Members of Congress submit winners to the House from around the country.

# # #