ScrapSnap wins Rep. Michael Turner’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Ohio’s 10th District
Rep. Michael Turner has named Luka Rao of Dayton Regional STEM School as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Ohio’s 10th District. Their app ScrapSnap lets users point their camera at a piece of trash and receive real-time feedback on what type of waste it is and how to properly dispose of it.
When asked what inspired the creation of ScrapSnap, Luka Rao said, “I was inspired to create ScrapSnap by seeing firsthand the environmental impacts of littering at public parks and beaches. A lot of smaller communities do not have the resources to conduct a full-scale trash cleanup program, and so they rely on the help of everyday citizens to pick up trash. However, a lot of people do not do so, leading to many harmful environmental effects. Another big problem with waste disposal is people putting items in the wrong bin, which can cause machinery damage and safety hazards. Both of these problems stem from a lack of knowledge and awareness of proper waste disposal methods, which is what my app aims to fix. I hope ScrapSnap inspires more people to take small actions, like picking up trash or putting a bottle in the right bin, that lead to a better, cleaner future.”
The 2025 Congressional App Challenge marked another record-setting year for the program. A total of 394 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives hosted App Challenges in their congressional districts, the highest level of participation in the program’s history. More than 13,800 students from across the country participated, submitting over 4,600 original apps focused on real-world challenges ranging from health and accessibility to education, sustainability, and civic engagement.
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives that encourages middle school and high school students to learn to code, explore computer science, and build practical technology solutions for their communities. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and winning teams are invited to showcase their projects to Members of Congress, staff, and industry leaders at the annual #HouseOfCode celebration on Capitol Hill.
The Challenge is proudly bipartisan and reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to STEM education and preparing the next generation of American innovators for the future workforce. The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from the Broadcom Foundation, AWS, Infosys Foundation USA, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.
The 2026 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.