Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office recently announced that GHS student Isaiah Whitehead is the winner of the nationwide 2025 Congressional App Challenge for her congressional district, District 1, which includes Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and York Counties.
The Congressional App Challenge is the most prestigious prize in student computer science. Its goal is to inspire young people to engage in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) by writing code. The program has grown since its inception in 2013, when 197 middle and high school students competed. This year 13,830 student participants from all corners of the U.S. representing every congressional district across the country vied for the honor.
Pingree said, “The Congressional App Challenge demonstrates the talent and creativity in classrooms across Maine. Every student who submitted an entry took an idea from concept to code, and that is no small feat.” She believes that Isaiah’s app rose to the top because it was practical, intuitive, and genuinely useful. “His app, Calculation Salvation, gives people of all ages a fun way to strengthen their math skills and build confidence. Isaiah should be incredibly proud of this achievement. Congratulations to him and to every student who stepped up to compete this year,” she added.
Whitehead’s app is an arithmetic tool designed for people of all ages to practice their math skills. It’s ideal for brain exercises as well as boosting overall cognitive function. Whitehead said, “I created Calculation Salvation to provide a system that sharpens the mind through arithmetic in a way that is both simple and intuitive, as well as practical and multifunctional.” He was inspired to create this app because he thought many brain games and particularly math-based exercise techniques are not easy to use. He made ease of use a priority in his app. “Despite adding six expandable distinct game modes to play, I focused on making sure the user experience was straightforward and inviting to actually use,” he said.
Winning apps from each district will be displayed and recognized at an event in Washington, D.C. this spring. For more information, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/ which has information for teachers and good info for interested students. Preregistration for students who would like to participate in the 2026 competition will be available soon.