U.S. Rep. Greg Steube Announces Pine View Students Win 2023 Congressional App Challenge
The Team’s SmartVolly App is a “Smart Fire Extinguisher Protecting Your Home 24/7”
Left to Right: AP Statistics Teacher and Entrepreneur Club Sponsor Dr. Mark Mattia, Kuentsen Dorji, Henry Zhou, Marlowe Meredith, Pine View Principal Dr. Stephen P. Covert
OSPREY, Fla. — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today announced the winning team of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for the 17th Congressional District of Florida. The SmartVolly App, created by Kuentsen Dorji, Henry Zhou, and Marlowe Meredith, all 12th graders at Pine View, took first place. The SmartVolly App is a smart fire extinguisher that ‘detects fires remotely, alerts customers, and automatically extinguishes fires,’ according to the SmartVolly team.
“The FL-17 Congressional App Challenge competition was steep this year, with four teams vying for the top recognition as Congressional App Challenge Winner. Kuentsen, Henry, and Marlowe demonstrated an impressive solution that has great potential in the free market. Further, I’d like to congratulate the students of the other three entry teams, which crafted creative solutions to address everyday problems. I look forward to seeing all these students do great things in their futures,” said Rep. Steube.
As part of their entry, the team stated: “Our team is passionate about using innovation and technology to better humanity. Each year 380,000 home fires are reported in North America causing over 3,000 deaths, 16,000 injuries, and $8.7 billion dollars in property damage. Many survivors are left homeless and in pain from losing loved ones. Smoke detectors can’t extinguish fires. Fire extinguishers require manual operation. A better solution is needed. Through the app, customers can monitor the extinguisher status, set temperature thresholds, and set off the extinguisher at any time.”
View the SmartVolly App video entry here: https://youtu.be/ecR2zu0XOzA
Joseph Alessi, the App Challenge Program’s National Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the record-breaking year saying,“The exponential increase in student engagement highlights the Congressional App Challenge’s growing influence as a beacon for young minds interested in computer science. It’s evident that students are not only embracing the Challenge as a competition but also as a platform to express their passion for technology and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of digital innovation.”
Every year the Congressional App Challenge encourages students to create and submit their original apps for a chance to win the Congressional App Challenge (CAC). Each challenge is district-specific. Each winning app will be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year and winning teams are invited to the #HouseofCode event in Washington DC. Winners can also apply for the ARTS Act Copyright Waiver to have their registration fees waived if they elect to copyright their creation. Learn more about the Congressional App Challenge here.
