If you’re a high school student interested in computer science and app development, participating in competitions should definitely be on your radar! These competitions allow you to hone your coding skills, work collaboratively in teams, and tackle real-world problems through app solutions.

Including these app development competitions in your college applications can significantly bolster your profile. Admissions committees look for students who demonstrate passion, initiative, and the ability to apply knowledge practically. These competitions can set you apart from other applicants, demonstrating that you are not only academically capable but also proactive in finding extracurricular opportunities.

1. Congressional App Challenge

Location: Virtual

Cost: No cost to participate. 

Prizes: Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives website. Winners are also invited to attend a reception on Capitol Hill and may be awarded additional sponsor prizes.

Competition Dates: The application deadline is October 24, 2024.

Eligibility: Middle or high school students who are residents of a participating congressional district can participate. Teams may not have more than 4 members.

The Congressional App Challenge is a district-wide contest hosted by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. You will be tasked with designing and developing your own unique mobile or web app, delving into the intricacies of computer science and problem-solving. The challenge encourages you to address real-world issues through technological solutions. 

Winners receive recognition for their coding skills and an opportunity to showcase their creations to members of Congress and the tech community at large. Awards often include scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and invitations to various tech-related events. The prestige associated with winning the Congressional App Challenge is significant, as it validates your ability to harness technology for positive change. 

Note: Apart from commonly used programming languages, it is beneficial to brush up on different app development platforms like XCode or Kotlin.

Check out this guide on how to win the Congressional App Challenge!

2. NASA App Development Challenge

Location: Virtual, but if selected as a Top Team, you will be invited to the culminating event at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Cost: Free

Prize: Invitation to the culminating event at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston

Competition Dates: April 15-18, 2024

Eligibility: Teams may be a middle school team or a high school team. The minimum team size is 5 students and 1 Lead Teacher. There is no maximum team size. Teams must be led by a sponsor or educator (i.e., Lead Teacher) from an informal or formal U.S. education organization.

The NASA App Development Challenge is a remarkable and highly engaging competition that invites participants to create innovative mobile applications utilizing NASA's extensive resources and data. Participants are tasked with designing apps that address real-world problems or promote space exploration and scientific discovery. 

The format of the challenge typically involves several rounds of submission and evaluation, culminating in the selection of winning applications. The focus lies on creativity, functionality, and the effective use of NASA's data, making it a thrilling opportunity for developers to contribute to space science and technology.

If you’re looking at participating, look at our blog that gives you 8 Tips to Win the NASA App Development Challenge!  

3. NASA International Space Apps Competition

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Prize: 10 Awards are available. Winning teams receive an invitation to visit a NASA center or facility for a special Space Apps Winners Trip.

Challenge Dates: October 5-6, 2024

Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to participate

The NASA International Space Apps Competition invites participants worldwide to work together on a variety of space-related projects, from developing software applications to designing hardware solutions. 

The competition's format typically spans a weekend, during which participants form teams and tackle specific challenges posed by NASA and its partners. These challenges encompass a wide range of topics, including space technology, Earth science, and space exploration, offering diverse opportunities for participants to showcase their skills and creativity.

You can look at our blog on the Space Apps Competition for more information!

 

4. Technovation Girls Challenge

Location: World Summit is held in person

Cost: Free

Prize: $500-$750 per person

Challenge Dates: March 13 (Registration deadline) until April 24, 2024 (Submission deadline)

Eligibility: Female students aged 8-18

The Technovation Girls Challenge is a global initiative that empowers girls aged 8-18 to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Each year, girls from around the world step up to solve community problems through technology, supported by mentors, ambassadors, volunteers, and parents. 

This is done through a three-part learning model that starts with participants identifying the real-world problems within their communities, developing a tangible tech solution, collaborating to implement this solution, and finally engaging with a local community. 

By participating in Technovation Girls, you'll gain valuable skills in coding and teamwork and have the opportunity to pitch your project to a panel of judges at the annual championship event, all while significantly impacting issues you care about.

5. Google Code-In 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Prize: Various prizes, including digital certificates and t-shirts. Finalists have the opportunity to visit Google headquarters.

Challenge Dates: Varies

Eligibility: Students aged 13-17

Google Code-In is an open-source development competition tailored for young, aspiring coders and students between the ages of 13 and 17. Organized by Google, this annual event offers an opportunity for participants to engage with and contribute to various open-source organizations and apps. The competition typically spans a couple of months and provides a diverse array of tasks, including coding, documentation, design, quality assurance, and more. 

Participants select tasks that align with their skills and interests, and they work with experienced mentors from the open-source community to complete these tasks. Google Code-In focuses on fostering collaboration, community engagement, and the development of essential coding skills while also nurturing a new generation of open-source contributors.

If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!

Image Source - NASA Logo