Follow me @liamlaguerre
U.S. Rep Grace Meng has tapped someone who knows a little something about contests to judge her first-ever science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition.
Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri will be a contest judge for Meng’s district as a part of the nationwide “The House Student App Challenge.”
For the contest, high school students in congressional districts around the country will be challenged to create an app for mobile, tablet or computer devices on a platform of their choosing.
The winning app from Meng’s district will be displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., along with winners from other congressional districts.
“Nina is an advocate for STEM education and a role model to those seeking to enter the STEM fields,” Meng said. “Her involvement in our competition will further highlight the outstanding STEM talent that exists here in Queens, and I look forward to her helping to decide the winner.”
Davuluri, 25, who was crowned Miss America in September 2013, is the first person of Indian descent to win the famed contest. She will be a judge alongside Jukay Hsu, founder of tech advocacy group Coalition for Queens.
Davuluri graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in brain behavior and cognitive science. She aspires to be a physician and has traveled across the country pushing STEM education, hoping to attract more students into the field.
“It’s an honor to be participating as one of the judges in the first annual congressional STEM competition,” Davuluri said. “As Miss America, I am proud to advocate for STEM education, and I am excited to see how creative the students will be in their presentations.”
Students wishing to enter the contest can click here for more information. They are required to provide a video explaining the app they’ve created.
So far, more than a dozen students have entered the contest. The contest will continue to accept entries until May 31, and the winner will be announced in June.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
