Accessibility links

Breaking News

Student Union

App Challenge Encourages Coding Among US Teens

Dozens of teens from schools across the country descended on Capitol Hill last week to take part in the annual Congressional App Challenge.

The annual competition is part of government effort to encourage kids to learn to code and explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers.

As part of the program, students create original apps and compete among other students in their various congressional districts. This year’s contest included some 650 app submissions from more than 2000 students in 33 states.

“The apps these students created reflect the creativity, imagination, and talent tomorrow’s STEM workforce is capable of when given opportunity and encouragement,” said a statement from CAC organizers.

The winning app from each congressional district was displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington.

Among the top winners was Sneha Malineni, a high school student from Portland, Oregon.

Malineni’s app, Forget Me Not, is geared to people suffering from Alzheimer’s, providing them with labeled pictures and memory games featuring the people, places and things most important to their lives.

Another app that made the finals was designed by 16-year old Zach Burke, from Chicago, Illinois.

The Organized College Planner is designed to help students keep track of their college applications, specifically info such as deadlines and requirements needed for each school. It also allows them to compare each school based on a variety of criteria.

The app has been sponsored by several top universities including Illinois State University.

Organizers of the CAC say coding skills are crucial for America’s economic future and that this program is taking steps to address the gap in qualified labor. “Right now, there are over a half million unfilled computer jobs in the U.S.,” organizers say in a statement. “Even with average salaries of more than $100,000 per year, the number of roles requiring coding skills is growing much faster than the number of students learning them.”

See all News Updates of the Day

Ohio Public Colleges Told to End Race-based Scholarships

FILE - Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.
FILE - Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio’s attorney general has ordered public colleges and universities to end merit scholarships that incorporate race-based criteria, saying they are unconstitutional.

The attorney general advised education officials that compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions extends to scholarships, according to the Columbus Dispatch. (March 2024)

Greek Parliament Approves Branches of Foreign Universities   

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is applauded by members of his government during ahead of a vote on a bill which allows foreign private universities to set up branches in Greece, at the Greek parliament in Athens, March 8, 2024.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is applauded by members of his government during ahead of a vote on a bill which allows foreign private universities to set up branches in Greece, at the Greek parliament in Athens, March 8, 2024.

The Greek parliament voted to allow foreign universities to establish and operate branch campuses in the country.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the move was made to encourage Greek students to stay in the country for advanced studies, instead of going abroad for an education. (March 2024)

Virginia Bans Legacy Admissions

FILE - In this April 28, 2016, photo, students walk by the James Branch Cabell Library on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.
FILE - In this April 28, 2016, photo, students walk by the James Branch Cabell Library on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

The state of Virginia has banned legacy admissions to public colleges and universities.

The New York Times reports the state has outlawed the practice of giving preferential admissions status to students based on connections to alumni and donors. (March 2024)

New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices

New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:02:51 0:00

A new Texas law prohibits public universities from having special programs supporting minority and LGBTQ students. Critics say these diversity, equity and inclusion programs are discriminatory and divisive. But many students say they are needed. Deana Mitchell has the story from the Texas capital.

Here’s What It Feels Like to Find Home Between Two Cultures

FILE - The University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Va.
FILE - The University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Va.

Cynthia Jia, a student at the University of Virginia, writes about how Chinese literature helped reconcile her to being part of two cultures. Read her story in The Cavalier Daily. (February 2024)

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG