Bresnahan Recognizes Local Student for STEM Innovation in 2025 Congressional App Challenge

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) announced the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District, David Colburn, an 11th grade student at Dallas High School.

"This achievement highlights the bright future of STEM innovation in Pennsylvania's 8th District," said Rep. Bresnahan. "David's work on the Lanternfly Reporter shows how young people can use coding and creativity to address challenges facing our region."

Colburn designed the Lanternfly Reporter, an app that allows users to identify, track, and report sightings of the invasive spotted lanternfly. The app aims to raise awareness and support efforts to address the environmental impact of the species through accessible, technology-driven reporting.

As the district winner, his app will be:

• Featured on the Congressional App Challenge website and House.gov
• Displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year
• Awarded a Copyright Fee Waiver through the ARTS Act
• Recognized with an invitation to the #HouseOfCode celebration in Washington, D.C.

The app can be viewed here.

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that encourages middle and high school students to explore STEM, coding, and computer science by creating original applications. Students from across PA-08 participated in this year's challenge.

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