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U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen has announced the launch of the 2026 Congressional App Challenge, an annual competition that encourages middle and high school students to develop coding and computer science skills through app creation, according to a news release from Larsen’s office.
The competition is open to students who live in or attend school in Washington’s 2nd Congressional District. Entries will be accepted through 9 a.m. Pacific time on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.
According to the news release, students may compete by creating applications for desktop computers, websites, tablets, mobile devices, robotics platforms or wearable technology. The challenge accepts projects developed in any programming language, including C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby and block-based coding languages.
“The Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity for students to sharpen and show off their coding skills,” Larsen said in the news release. “Northwest Washington is a leader in STEM education for young people, and I look forward to seeing the region’s coding talent showcased in this year’s entries.”
The Congressional App Challenge was created to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and provide students with hands-on experience in computer programming and software development.
Last year’s winners, Dylan Pham and Henry Pham of Explorer Middle School in Everett, developed “Epidemic Wars: The 2100 Era,” an educational app designed to teach users about vaccines and the immune system while addressing vaccine misinformation.
Larsen’s office will announce the district winner in December. The winning students will be invited to participate in the House of Code Capitol Hill Science Fair in Washington, D.C., in April 2027. Winning applications will also be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and on the Congressional App Challenge website.
Students are encouraged to register early to receive additional support and resources before the submission deadline.
For more information, competition rules and registration details, visit the Congressional App Challenge website. Students and STEM educators may contact Jessica Zuleta at [email protected] or 425-252-3188.
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