{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://whitesides.house.gov/2025/12/18/rep-whitesides-announces-2025-congressional-app-challenge-winners-from-santa-clarita/", "Rep. Whitesides Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winners From Santa Clarita", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "George Whitesides", "W000830", "whitesides.house.gov", "whitesides", "https://whitesides.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "AGUA DULCE, CA \u2013 Today, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27), announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California\u2019s 27th Congressional District: the \u201cMathViz\u201d team led by local Academy of the Canyons student, Gautham Korrapati. Gautham was joined by fellow student Eric Lee to form MathViz\u2019s two-person team.\n\n\u201cCongratulations to the MathViz team for their impressive AI-driven platform which will make learning math more engaging and accessible,\u201d said Rep. George Whitesides. \u201cTools like dynamic animations, personalized lessons, and interactive challenges can play a real role in addressing declining STEM proficiency and preparing students for the future. I was so impressed by every student that submitted a project to the challenge, and look forward to seeing all of them continue to make a positive impact in their communities!\u201d\n\nEntries for the Congressional App Challenge were evaluated by a panel of judges representing higher education, K\u201312 education, aerospace, defense, and federal research institutions in California\u2019s 27th District. Judges assessed submissions based on concept, function, user interface, and real-world impact.\n\n\u201cIt was an honor to review the outstanding work submitted to the Congressional App Challenge,\u201d said Dr. Kyu Lee, Computer Science Professor at Antelope Valley College \u201cSeveral projects demonstrated a level of thoughtfulness and technical skill comparable to undergraduate research presentations, and it was remarkable to see such well-organized and creative solutions from these students. Their work shows real potential, and I strongly encourage them to take the next step and share their ideas in future academic and innovation events.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese types of events push our students to learn and create our future,\u201d said Dawn Herbert, CTE Teacher, Section Director at Saugus High School.\n\n\u201cThese student creations embody the same spirit that drives NASA\u2014curiosity, problem-solving, and the courage to imagine a better future. Each app tackles a real problem\u2014whether it\u2019s safety, health, learning, or simply helping people stay organized\u2014 each app shows how innovation begins with a simple question: What if we could make this better?\u201d said David Voracek, Center Chief Technologist at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. \u201cAt NASA, we value curiosity and the drive to keep learning, and I see those same qualities in all of their work. It gives me real confidence in the next generation of innovators.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was amazing to see the passion and creativity that drove these students to develop such a wide variety of innovative applications,\u201d said Jeffrey Martin, Chief, Test Techniques Development Flight, 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base. \u201cWith such a talented group of future computer scientists willing to tackle the challenges that lie before them, the future is bright!\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m inspired to see the creativity and ingenuity of today\u2019s rising innovators,\u201d said Keith Pedersen, Vice President Skunk Works\u00ae Integration at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. \u201cAt Lockheed Martin Skunk Works\u00ae we live every day by pushing the limits of technology through rapid, bold innovation, and it\u2019s inspiring to see that pioneering spirit reflected in these students\u2019 apps. Congratulations to all the participants\u2014your ideas are vital to the future of our nation.\u201d\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge, a competition aimed at encouraging U.S. students to learn how to code by creating their own applications, is open to all middle and high school students who either reside or attend school in California\u2019s 27th Congressional District. The first-place winner\u2019s app is eligible to be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building and on House.gov. Additionally, the winner is invited to the #HouseOfCode Reception celebration inside the U.S. Capitol.\n\nIf you would like more information on the annual Congressional App Challenge, please click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://whitesides.house.gov/2025/12/18/rep-whitesides-announces-2025-congressional-app-challenge-winners-from-santa-clarita/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9124241769313812, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}