WiRSA (Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance) - Strong Schools - Strong Communities
2026 Congressional App Challenge
Submissions Due October 26, 2026
The Congressional App Challenge is the official student STEM competition of the U.S. House of Representatives. It's an annual nationwide competition hosted by Members of Congress designed to inspire middle and high school students to explore STEM fields.
Incorporating the Congressional App Challenge into your curriculum is a simple and impactful way to inspire middle and high school students, encourage hands-on STEM learning, and connect them to their elected representatives. Students can participate individually or in teams of up to four, making it easy to adapt to any classroom or program setting.
2026 NREA Writing Contest Open Now!
Ready, Set, Rural: Creating Opportunities Everywhere
Submissions Due May 31, 2026
Rural communities are full of creativity, resilience, and unique opportunities. Through this contest, students K-12 will share their perspectives on rural life, the importance of education in rural areas, and ideas for creating opportunities that can make a difference locally or nationally. Learn more and submit by May 31.