High School West senior, Heng Ye, has won the Congressional App Challenge for New York's First District, for his LIRR simulator project.
Ye was the driving force behind a LIRR simulator cab being available for public use at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.
The cab has been at the museum for more than half a decade, but sat idle. So Ye reached out to museum officials and offered his computer programming services to help transform it for public use, complete with sights and sounds of an actual ride.
"I feel glad that I was able to use my skills in a meaningful project for historical preservation and awareness," said Ye. “Creating this app was the perfect opportunity to use my passions to inspire future generations on Long Island.”
This year’s Congressional App Challenge set new records, with an incredible 12,682 students from across the country participating, representing a growth of over 1,000 students compared to 2023. These talented students submitted an astounding 3,881 original applications, showcasing their creativity, passion for technology, and the limitless potential of America’s next generation of innovators.
Ye has been taking computer programming classes since fourth grade, and used to visit the museum as a young child.
Joining Ye for a picture was High School West Principal, William Holl, Director of Science Dr. Stephanie O'Brien, and High School West Science Research Coordinator, Brian Snyder.
