CoughScan wins Rep. Lisa Blunt’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Delaware’s At-Large District
Rep. Blunt has named Eesha Sagiraju, Ian Porell, and David Safro of Charter School of Wilmington as the winners of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Delaware’s At-Large District.
When asked what inspired the creation of CoughScan, the students said, “That’s simple.
The answer is SARS-CoV-2. Otherwise known as COVID-19.
Once an obscure acronym, the virus catapulted into the global lexicon as a microscopic invader that reshaped our way of life. COVID forced us to reevaluate our priorities, transforming once bustling cities into quiet streets, and turning simple gestures like a handshake into cautious nods from a safe distance.
It’s no secret that the outbreak of the virus in late 2019 led to a profound global health crisis, affecting virtually every corner of the world. It disrupted economies, strained healthcare systems, and permanently altered the way we interacted with one another. Moreover, the virus has experienced a resurgence in recent months, partly due to the decreasing effectiveness of previous vaccinations and the rise of newer and deadlier variants.
One of the biggest problems with COVID-19 prevention is accessibility. In many parts of the world, especially in resource-constrained regions, access to traditional diagnostic methods like PCR testing has been limited, highlighting the urgent need for alternative, more widely available means of assessment.
That’s why we created CoughScan, to contribute to a collective effort in combatting the pandemic. By providing a user-friendly, widely accessible means of diagnosis, the tool not only empowers individuals to take control of their health but also aids in early detection, potentially averting further transmissions and easing the burden on healthcare institutions. By combining technology, medical knowledge, and a commitment to public health, CoughScan aims to play a meaningful role in the fight against COVID-19 and in preparing for future health challenges.”
This year’s Challenge saw an unprecedented level of participation, with 374 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions, surpassing the previous record of 340. A remarkable 11,334 students from across the United States competed in this year’s Challenge, marking an impressive increase of nearly 1,000 participants compared to the previous record set in 2019. The enthusiasm and creativity these students display is a testament to the growing interest in technology and signal a bright future for American innovation. The surge of ingenuity continued with a whopping 3,645 original applications flooding in, nearly a thousand more than the previous year’s high. This remarkable growth showcases the exceptional talent and innovation within our nation’s youth.
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival.