Press Releases

(Honolulu, HI) – Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today announced the winners of his 2022 Congressional App Challenge for Hawai‘i’s First Congressional District at a reception at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kaka‘ako.

“The Challenge is a great opportunity for our local students to focus their skills and creativity on developing, testing and analyzing new applications for real-world use,” said Case. “Congratulating the winners at the Sandbox, which is described as ‘Hawaii’s community hub to inspire creativity, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship’ will hopefully also open the students’ minds to possibilities beyond their imagination.”

“And results of this year’s Challenge prove once again that they have the skill set, imagination and resolve to compete against the best of our young people nationwide in science, technology, engineering and math, along with the potential to lead the next generations of computer science and technology.” 

The winner for Hawaii’s First Congressional District:

1^st Place – Syreena Fortuno and Cabien Nelson of DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach, a public charter school

Grade: 8

Instructor: Coach Cerina Livaudais

App: ‘Imi Loa

Video: https://youtu.be/YC7fOTpZ1XM

Summary, according to the creators:

“Our app, 'Imi loa, is an engaging game for players of ages 10 years and up to learn about the environmental and social problems in Hawai'i 2022. As a player, your goal is to complete all of the quests by traveling to all the islands. With each quest the player learns how to make an impact on some of the problems we face here in Hawai'i.  

“The inspiration for our app was wanting our home to be more represented in the media. Growing up many of us didn't know about Hawai'i's challenges until middle school. We hope our app will make this knowledge accessible to the younger generation. We were also inspired by the winners from last year's congressional app challenge. Their game was really cool and the fact that they came from our school made us feel confident that we too could accomplish what they did.”

2^nd Place – Chase Graham of ‘Iolani School

Grade: 11

Instructor: n/a

App: Giveback Hawai’i

Video: https://youtu.be/9J2ziEV87SQ

Summary, according to the creator:

“My app encourages users to contribute small, everyday things in response to the ongoing environmental/climate crisis. From the app, users have access to their energy usage data, energy consumption statistics for the state of Hawai’i, and tips for minimizing wasteful energy usage. Users' energy data is provided when they connect their account to their local energy provider through Green Button, a standardized way for users to access their data that has recently been increasingly adopted across the country.

“The app acts as a hub for community-driven environmental change in Hawai'i; users can participate with and compete against other users in campaigns to lower their energy use, join events like periodic beach cleanups and local environmental work, and learn more about their environmental impact and ecological footprint. In addition, users can earn in-app currency or 'points' for participating in these local events, learning about their carbon footprint, competing in campaigns, and completing challenges to reduce energy use.

“Users directly contribute, alongside members of their local community, towards a cleaner Hawai'i and simultaneously earn rewards. Users redeem their points for rewards with real value, like a recycled water bottle, a local business voucher, and an assortment of popular gift cards. Thus, users are motivated to work towards an energy goal and have a direct impact on their future and their communities. These points have real value because the app is self-fulfilling; any redemption of points is paid for through advertisements that appear on their feed.

“Users will be rewarded for spending time on the app to learn about their ecological impact, actively compete with other users, and improve their energy usage. Opportunities for users to earn points will appear on their feed; an example of this opportunity is a short quiz where the user can determine their carbon footprint, read about environmentally friendly tips, and participate in beach cleanups.

“Users also receive points for completing challenges--for example, participating in a statewide campaign or reducing energy usage by 15% for a week--and campaigns, which are community events in which users compete to minimize energy usage and earn points. Giveback uses fun to change peoples' behavior by making the process seem like a game and is simultaneously rewarding; users who want to contribute to the environment earn 'badges' for completing challenges and reaching notable achievements and are also given the opportunity to help the environment for rewards.”

3rd Place – Joshua Tom, Desmond Adams, and Owen Gostage of Ewa Makai Middle School

Grade: 8

Instructor: Ms. Miki Cacace

App: myGlucose

Video: https://vimeo.com/764284475

Summary, according to the creators:

“Our app scans and tracks a patient with medical conditions that cause them to easily bruise but cannot easily recover. Our target audience are patients with diabetes; however, anyone can use our app. You just upload a photo of your bruise to our app, and it will scan it using our AI and tell you what stage it is at and if it is at any level for concern. It also monitors the amount of times you scan your bruise and at what stages your bruise progresses through. This helps prevent amputations from septic bruising.”

The Congressional App Challenge is an official national initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, in which Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle and high school students.

The Challenge encourages students to learn code and inspires them to pursue careers in computer science.

Students may use any programming language and the app can be on any platform (web app, desktop/PC app, a web browser extension, mobile app, etc.). The app can be about any topic, but it must be original.

An application is a type of software that allows a person to perform specific tasks.  Applications for desktop or laptop computers are sometimes called desktop applications, while those for mobile devices are called mobile apps.

Attachments:

·      Picture of Case with the two 1^st place winners

·      Picture of Case with one of the 3^rd place winners

·      Group picture with participants in 2022 App Challenge along with App Challenge judge Dan Smith

·      (2^nd place winner not present at event)

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