Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-04) is excited to announce Keaton Zang, a senior at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, is the winner of the 4th Congressional District’s annual Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The CAC was created to highlight the importance of STEM and computer-based skills.

Zang’s app “Spacemate," is designed to encourage an understanding of astronomy while making space education fun. Spacemate uses data and other statistical information about asteroids, planets and other celestial bodies to simulate objects in the universe. The Spacemate app demonstration can be found at https://youtu.be/y1X1Qwx9AH4. His app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building, on House.gov and on the Congressional App Challenge website.

App Challenge Winners from Congressional Districts around the Country come to Washington annually for the #HouseofCode Demo Day, which gives them a chance to put their skills on display and meet other coders.

Four submissions were part of this year’s challenge, which was open to all high school students who reside in the 4th District. “I really appreciate the time, talent and effort demonstrated by each applicant; each app was a job well done. I’m also wishing special congratulations to Keaton on his recent success.”

By some estimates, the United States may need more than a million programmers by 2020; to maintain American competitiveness, we must encourage our youth to pursue and acquire these valuable skills. The Internet Education Foundation serves as the operational sponsor of the CAC. For more information about the CAC, please visit www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.

“We want to inspire 4th District students to explore potential STEM careers. The Congressional App Challenge is a great opportunity for students to showcase existing skills, learn something new, and begin a lifetime of technical achievement,” Perry concluded.