Duckworth visits Elgin for app challenge

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth visited the Elgin Technology Center in downtown Elgin Wednesday to promote the U.S. House Student App Challenge, which began Feb. 1.

As part of the nationwide competition, high school students in participating districts create and exhibit their software application for mobile, tablet or computer devices.

The competition is designed to encourage students' participation in STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - fields.

Duckworth drove the "Black Pearl" robot created by the got robot?First Tech Challenge 5037 team, a robotics team made up of local students.

"It's like driving a tank. Make it military and I will understand it," Duckworth joked. "I could play with this all day."

Duckworth also worked on an app that would give the current temperature based on entering a town's name or a ZIP code.

James Stubblefield, ETC education director, led a coding demonstration focusing on basic HTML, coding and Java script.

ETC Executive Director Michael Copeland said he expected Duckworth to leave with a working app by the end of the day.

The deadline for submissions for the House Student App Challenge is April 30.

The winning app in each participating congressional district will be featured on the U.S. House website and will be on display in a U.S. Capitol exhibit.

To apply, visit housestudentapps.challengepost.com.