Dogtown Media and Congressman Ed Royce Present 2016 App Challenge Winners

Dogtown Media’s commitment to tech education continues, as CEO Marc Fischer spoke on a panel alongside California Congressman Ed Royce at the awards ceremony for this year’s Congressional App Challenge.

The presentation featured incredible app designs from some of the brightest elementary, middle- and high-school students in the 39th district of California. This isn’t the first time Dogtown Media has had the honor of coaching these young entrepreneurs — and if the results are any indication, they’ve taken the advice to heart (the winner of last year’s Congressional App Challenge pitched her anti-bullying idea on ABC’s Shark Tank this season and earned investments from two of the sharks. Watch the clip here).

One thing every entry had in common: smart approaches to complex problems, ranging from unemployment to the obesity epidemic.

Overall, the most exciting aspect of contests like the Congressional App Challenge is the way it connects young students to the exciting possibilities in STEM areas like engineering, math, and of course iPhone app development. In an education system where only 44-percent of high school graduates are prepared to benefit from university-level STEM subjects, many of these jobs have gone unfilled. Los Angeles iPhone app developers have an obligation to help bridge that divide.

Needless to say, it’s a crisis that’s also an opportunity. Thankfully, hundreds of students throughout the state have proven that they are more than willing to work hard to benefit from that opportunity.

Alongside other leading California tech presences like UC Irvine and Chapman University, Dogtown Media offers its continuing support to any and all youth interested in trying their hand at mobile app development. There is plenty of room for growth in the startup economy.

It will be exciting and inspiring to see what the younger generation dreams up for next year’s competition. Those who continue to pursue their dreams in tech are sure to have a bright future in one of the fastest-growing industries in the US.

Young entrepreneurs interested in participating can find more information via the official Congressional App Challenge website.