Smarter Insulin Pump Wins Congressional App Challenge

PALO ALTO, CA -- U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) announced Monday the winner of the 2018 Congressional App Challenge -- Anna Quinlan of Menlo Atherton School in Atherton as part of the Sequoia Union High School District.

Her app consists of A Smarter Insulin Pump, which assists diabetics with maintaining normal blood glucose levels 24/7. While other products exist on the market to track and notify, A Smarter Insulin Pump integrates more personalized data such as food intake and notification tools to make it easier to manage the symptoms of diabetes.

“Anna Quinlan developed this innovative app after hearing the complaints of a diabetic friend whose insulin pump didn’t alert her of her low glucose levels. This app is practical and will help so many manage their diabetes. Bravo to Anna Quinlan and every participant who demonstrated great knowhow, tech savvy and enormous potential,” Eshoo said.

The congresswoman represents a founding co-chair of the Congressional App Challenge, which was established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013. This bipartisan competition is part of a nationwide event that invites high school students from all participating congressional districts to compete by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “app,” for mobile, tablet or computer devices on a platform of their choice. It is designed to promote innovation and engagement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education fields.

Apps are judged based on the following criteria: quality of the idea - including creativity and originality; implementation of the idea - such as user experience and design; and demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills.

The winner from the 18th Congressional District was chosen by an independent panel of expert judges. Each winner of the Congressional App Challenge will receive $250 in Amazon Web Services. The winning app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and in https://www.house.gov.

--Image courtesy of U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo's Washington, D.C. office