Middle and high school students in Las Vegas spent this past Friday at UNLV learning the fundamentals of software and game development. The event, titled Build the Challenge Las Vegas, serves as a local launchpad for the 2026 Congressional App Challenge.
Organizers brought experts from the tech sector to guide participants through the process of creating digital tools designed to solve real-world problems. This program marks a shift for the national initiative, as representatives move into communities to provide direct support before the submission deadline. Students worked throughout the day on projects that demonstrate their technical skills and community focus.
Joseph Alessi, the director of the Congressional App Challenge, noted the importance of students collaborating with both professional mentors and their peers. The goal is for these initial ideas to grow into finished products over the coming months. Local leaders, including Assembly Member Duy Nguyen, emphasized that these efforts challenge the perception of Las Vegas as purely a hospitality hub and instead highlight the technical talent present in the city.
Parents joined the students at the end of the session to view the progress made during the event. Participants now have until October 26 to finalize their entries for the national competition. This initiative provides a structured path for local youth to gain experience in coding and design while contributing to their home communities.