Application of Virtual Reality Technology

Application of Virtual Reality Technology Week 2 1. Attach a video of a technology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49vZHEIhp_8 Examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmeR-u-DioE (Virtual reality used at Ford) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYfNzhLXYGc (Introducing HTC Vive- a virtual reality headset with 3D controllers) 2. Key business benefits. It is evident that the main function of virtual reality is to create a virtual environment that resembles the real world. From business perspective, enterpries can take advantage of this outstanding ability to facilitate their activities. First of all, virtual reality is an essential equipment in training. Trainees will deal with real cases while interacting with the virtual world, leading to improvements in both their experience and skills. Firms can still ensure the efficiency of the course without spending too much on training stuffs. According to Sentient Computing in Western Australia, virtual training is able to reduce budget dramatically as well as cut down approximately 70 percent of the time. Secondly, this emerging technology is also decreses commuting costs by connecting people into one space, despite of the geographical distance. An actual face-to-face meeting is now possible by 3D interactions between managers and staffs. For example, the join.me app offers a virtual meeting space, in which users can share files using Mobile Whiteboard or organizing audio conferences. Another interesting scenerio is virtual interviews. Personnel departments can go through the recruitment procedure with candidates in a virtual conference room. Finally, virtual reality is a method of saving manufacturing costs by rendering virtual samples to replace real products in testings. Engineers and scientists can perform actions on 3D prototypes to tailor and fix mistakes with the products before manufacturing for commercial uses. Ford, for instance, are using a package from virtual reality specialists ICIDO to produce virtual copies of the vehicles. 3. The applicability of this technology in one industry sector (health) Although virtual reality is mostly used in game, it has various applications in other fields as well. This essay will give an insight about its functions in health. To start with, virtual reality is opening opportunities for patients with psychological disorders. In dealing with phobias, it provides a controlled environment in which patients will confront with their fears and learn how to overcome them. In one example, psychiatrists at the University of Louisville use virtual reality to assist patients in coping with fears of things such as flying and claustrophobia. Similarly, virtual reality is considered as a treatment for autism. Patients are able to improve social skills by facing with daily situations in the virtual world. In a study, professors at the University of Texas developed a program to help autistic kids with reading social cues and performing proper behaviours. After finishing it, participantsbrain scan indicated increased activity in the areas of the brain related to social understanding. Another branch of health is applying this technology is medical training. In surgery, virtual reality offers a way of practicing without harming the patients. The method is more appropriate to amatuers, as mistakes is acceptable. Students can learn from them to acquire skills for real operations. From 2002, Stanford University had a surgery stimulator using CT scans to create 3D models for practicing. Furthermore, it also plays a key role in dentistry. A programme called HapTEL, for instance, relies on haptics to train new dentists. This virtual dental chair provides a 3D set of teeth for learners to work on. 4. Describing the impact of the adoption of this technology at an organization using the Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) PET is a theory stated that in the evolution process of each species, there a sudden revolutionary change took place after a long period of stablization. Although it is a biological theory, it can be used in technology, with innovations made a great impact on an organisation. To clarify the theory, lets take a look at Thomas Cook- an English-based travel company with more than 170 years of experiece. During the past, the agent advertises their services thourgh brochures and website. In other words, these two are the main information sources that customers can refer to before booking a trip. However, that habit has changed since 2014, when Thomas Cook applyed virtual reality. The new technology made a huge impact on their marketing strategies. They cooperated with Visualise to produce a range of 360 virtual reality films. After deciding the itinerary for the roll out, a small team went to Egypt, Cyprus, Singarpore, Greece and New York to capture the required content. The videos will be uploaded to a virtual reality store, instead of posting on the Internet. The new commercial plan resulted in a dramatic boost in the profit. The enterprise earned a staggering  £12000 from hotel and flights bookings in the Uk and Germany as well as a 40% return on investment. New York market also witnessed an 180% uplift in the excursions revenue.    Overall, it can be concluded that the equilibrium of using brochures and website of Thomas Cook has been distracted by the introduction of Virtual Reality. This adoption has affected the agent by creating major changes in marketing strategies. References: Andrienne, B. (2017). Punctuated Equilibrium: Definition, Theory Examples | Study.com. [online] Study.com. Available at: http://study.com/academy/lesson/punctuated-equilibrium-definition-theory-examples.html [Accessed 12 Mar. 2017]. Carson, E. (2017). 10 ways virtual reality is revolutionizing medicine and healthcare TechRepublic. [online] TechRepublic. Available at: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-ways-virtual-reality-is-revolutionizing-medicine-and-healthcare [Accessed 11 Mar. 2017]. David, G. (2017). Ford Uses Virtual Reality to Reduce Costs | Automation World. [online] Automationworld.com. Available at: https://www.automationworld.com/simulation-amp-modeling/ford-uses-virtual-reality-reduce-costs [Accessed 12 Mar. 2017]. Jonha, R. (2017). How Can Businesses Benefit From Virtual Reality?. [online] The Huffington Post. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonha-revesencio/how-can-businesses-benefi_b_7751958.html [Accessed 11 Mar. 2017]. Jonha, R. (2017). 5 apps to help you manage your work on the road. [online] Business Insider. Available at: http://www.businessinsider.com/sc/5-apps-for-work-travel-2015-6 [Accessed 11 Mar. 2017]. Julia, H. (2017). How Virtual Reality is Gaining Traction in Healthcare. [online] Healthline. Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/virtual-reality-gaining-traction-in-healthcare [Accessed 11 Mar. 2017]. Kandalaft, M., Didehbani, N., Krawczyk, D., Allen, T. and Chapman, S. (2012). Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training for Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(1), pp.34-44. Mandelbaum, A. (2017). 2 travel agencies already using virtual reality . [online] Hypergridbusiness.com. Available at: http://www.hypergridbusiness.com/2015/07/2-travel-agencies-already-using-virtual-reality/   [Accessed 12 Mar. 2017]. Sean, O. (2017). Thomas Cook tests virtual reality holidays, thanks to Oculus Tnooz. [online] Tnooz. Available at: https://www.tnooz.com/article/thomas-cook-tests-virtual-reality-holidays-high-street/ [Accessed 12 Mar. 2017]. Virtual Reality Society, T. (2017). Advantages of virtual reality in medicine Virtual Reality. [online] Virtual Reality. Available at: https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-healthcare/advantages.html [Accessed 11 Mar. 2017]. Visualise, T. (2017). Thomas Cook Try Before You Fly | Virtual Reality Holiday | VR Case Study | Visualise. [online] VISUALISE. Available at: http://visualise.com/case-study/thomas-cook-virtual-holiday   [Accessed 12 Mar. 2017]. Week 3 1. Identify a business process within the organization and provide a brief overview of the business process Nowadays, Wal-mart Stores (or Walmart) is undoubtedly one of the largest multinational retailing firm in the world. The company has maintained the top position for decades, partly thanks to the advanced home delivery process. This process can be executed via Walmarts official website. First of all, customers need to register into the system. First-timers are required to create an account to continue shopping. The system will then introduce a variety of items that are categorized into departments according to their purposes. Selected goods will be added to a basket- the button located at the top right corner of the screen. Having checked the basket, customers will make a payment, which is the final step. Walmart online system accepts numerous payment method, for instance credit and debit cards, Paypal, etc. A notice containing an receipt will pop up to confirm the order. Staffs will check all the details once again prior to sending customers a confimation email. Overall, the process i s accomplished entirely through the internet within a few clicks, saving a considerable amount of time and money for shoppers. 2. Inputs, processing, and outputs of the business process After rolling through the process, it can be clearly seen that this consists of 3 main components: input, process and output. Inputs include customers accounts (name, birth, email, phone number) as well as the choosen item list (Good number, quantity, price). For customers who pay by card, there will be also cards details such as card number or expire date. In case of evoucher or gift card, additional input will be its code. All of the provided information will be processed by RealLink computer system and stored in the form of data. Having accomplised processing the input, the system will return the output a successful notification and later on, a comfirmation email containing a receipt . 3. Technologies are used by the organization and their relation to the organizations business strategy. Walmart has adopted a wide range of technologies in order to maximize their profit. These technologies play an important role in their business strategies. The retailer has been using RDIF (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology for around a decade. The initial function of the technology was to track the location of commodities travelling along its supply chain, including at warehouses. In 2007, it was upgraded by reducing approximately one-third of excess inventory volume in the supply chain as well as 16% of out-of-stock situations. Another advancement took place 3 years later, with the appearace of RDIF tags on individual garments, which are usually from two to four square inches in size. Inside each tag is a silicon chip containing a number string to represent a specific good. There is also an antenna to transmit the details in the tag to a separate RDIF reader. RDIF tag is much more advantageous than conventional barcode, as it mitigates the need for a scanner by using the reader. These continuous innovations help the company achieve its business strategy of streamling the supply chain while decreasing cost. Another outstanding technology applied at Walmart chain stores is virtual assistant in order to enhacing clients satisfaction. This application was developed by a group of hacker during a hackathon funded by the corporation. By interactions with the assistant via texting, customers can tailor answers to simple questions and locate items in the store. Once typing hi to the posted number in store, shoppers will receive a message back from a store associated with assistance, for example instructions to a certain corner of the store. In case of overcomplicated problems, customers will be guided to a nearby staff for extra help. 4. Strategic business objectives addressed by the organizations information systems. *Improved decision making: In early 1990s, Walmart adopted Retail Link-an interorganisation Decision Support System(DSS) and a sale figure warehouse. Data of stores are gathered from warehouse and sent to Retail Link for analyzing to make a weekly report., which will be sent to suppliers. The report contains all the sale data by Stock-Keeping Unit(SKU), by hour, by store; gross machine achieved, inventory returns, in-stock percentage, and most important, weekly forecasting information. To develop decision making quality, Walmart made a variety of technological advancement afterwards. In 1997, the retailer expanded the size and information analysis capabilities of of the data warehouse. According to Randy Mott senior vice president and chief information officer of Walmart, Every cost, every line item is carefully categorized, enabling better merchandising decisions to be made on a daily basis.. The following year also witnessed an innovation, when Walmart and Warner-Lambert applied internet to communicate abou t sales forecast, which resulted in about a reduction of 2,5 weeks in the time items in the supply chain and a million dollars in inventory. *Operational Excellence: Walmart use Transaction Process System (TPS) to automate daily business activities, which play a key role in organizational operation like Point-of-Sale, preparing a payroll and billing clients. Raw data will be summarized, recored and merged to create a report. With Point-of-Sale, for instance, when customer check-out the items at the supermarket, the clerk has to scan the bar code -the input of system. Walmart developed a universal product code (UPC) system in order to ensure exact price, decrease shrinkage as well as enhance communication. TPS will then calculate the total amount of money by multiplying the quantity with the price of each product prior to printing a receipt. Electronic Scanning of uniform product code -UPC- *Competitive advantage: Retail Link system uses a satellite system to create a competitive advantage. The corporartion introduced the 24 million dollar system in 1987, which consist of 6 components- Becon activation, GPS Satellite Relay, MEOLUT, Mission Control Center, Rescue Coordination Center, Rescue. Here is a diagram describing the merchanism of the system: With this system, data and voice transmission can be sent at 56 kilobits per second, much faster than 12 and 24 kilobits via telephone lines. Another benefit is the ability to lower telephone costs by 20 to 30%, while facilitating high speed communication. On 17 November, 1999, Walmart broadcasted a Grath Brooks concert via this system into all of its stores, leading to a remarkable rise in sale data: 5.What would happen if your organizations information systems were not available? Without information system, Walmart could face a variety of difficulties. First, the company will need to recruit more staffs to gather data from stores. The number of additional employees will be huge to keep up with sales figure from 11695 stores and clubs worldwide. Recruting new members will lead to a surge in the operation cost, as more money is spent on staffssalary. Even meeting the need of human resources, each of the process is still disaggregated, due to inconsistency performance of human. Furthermore, lack of information system also delay forecasting and planning process. Because Walmart is a multinational corporation, it is essential to have a business plan that are suitable with each countrys legislation system and customs. This process is going to be more time-comsuming, since consultants have to deal with raw data instead of processed data. However, the disappearance of information system does not affect only the retailer, but also its suppliers. When the automatic link to warehouses is cut, the sales representative will have to contact warehouse staffs by phone to gather inventory statistics. Consequently, suppliers will have to wait longer for the data, obstructing them to keeping up with the demand. References: Bisk, (2017). RFID Technology Boosts Walmarts Supply Chain Management. [online] Usanfranonline.com. Available at: https://www.usanfranonline.com/resources/supply-chain-management/rfid-technology-boosts-walmarts-supply-chain-management/#.WM0nnR-g_IU [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. Chris, P. (2017). Walmarts secret sauce: How the largest survives and thrives. [online] www.retailcustomerexperience.com. Available at: https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/walmarts-secret-sauce-how-the-largest-survives-and-thrives/ [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. Kline, D. (2017). 2 Ways Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Is Using Technology to Improve Its Shopping Experience The Motley Fool. [online] The Motley Fool. Available at: https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/11/10/2-ways-wal-mart-stores-inc-is-using-technology-to.aspx [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. MISgroup, T. (2017). Information Systems. [online] Wal-m.blogspot.com.au. Available at: http://wal-m.blogspot.com.au/p/information-systems.html [Accessed 19 Mar. 2017]. Simkiss, G., Simkiss, G. and profile, V. (2017). Wal-Mart Satellite Communication System. [online] Emergingtechnologiesis.blogspot.com.au. Available at: http://emergingtechnologiesis.blogspot.com.au/2007/10/wal-mart-satellite-communication-system.html [Accessed 19 Mar. 2017].

Position Paper of Morocco to Frozen Conflicts in the Region

Nowadays, there are hundreds of conflicts which are in a frozen state all around the world. Most of these conflicts based on ethnic separatism which greatly complicates the task of solving them, headed by the whole nationality. The former Soviet Union alone has 4 frozen conflicts. Some political analysts believe, that the armed conflicts in the region of the Black Sea and South Caucasus emerged due to the disintegration of the Soviet Union, as well as not fully thought out the division of the lands between the new states.As evidenced of it the presence there is not one or just two conflicts in the former Soviet Union, but as many as 4. The modern world's attention is focused on the open conflicts and military showdowns, but we should not forget about the frozen conflicts, which are fraught with the danger of instantly break the â€Å"frozen† state and move into a phase blitzkrieg side. Frozen conflicts of the Black Sea and South Caucasus affect countries such as South Ossetia, North Ossetia, Ingushetia and Georgia.Another centre of the conflict is a clash of interests of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is geographically located in Azerbaijan, but the majority of its population are Armenians. But we shouldn`t talk about the lack of attention of the world community and political institutions to the frozen conflicts in these regions. Since one of the main functions of the UN Security Council is the maintenance and preservation of the peace, of course the UN has made and is making peacekeeping measures in the past.UN adopted 4 resolutions to stop illegal occupation of the territory of Azerbaijan: April 30, 1993 Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 822, which requires â€Å"an immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces from Kelbajar district and other recently occupied areas of Azerbaijan. † July 29, 1993 – Adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 853, â€Å"which requires the immediate, complete and unconditiona l withdrawal of the occupying forces from the district of Agdam and all other recently occupied areas of the Republic of Azerbaijan. October 14, 1993 – UN Security Council passed Resolution 874, calling on the parties â€Å"to refrain from any hostile acts and from any interference or intervention which would lead to escalation of the conflict and undermine peace and security in the region. † November 11, 1993 – UN Security Council adopted Resolution 884, which requires â€Å"an immediate cessation of hostilities and hostile acts, unilateral withdrawal of occupying forces from the Zangelan district and the city Horadiz and withdrawal of occupying forces from other recently occupied areas of the Republic of Azerbaijan. June 12, 1995 the EU Council adopted a project of â€Å"common position† on the Caucasus. In this document, among other things, noted that the Union should help Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan to overcome the difficult period of transition to democracy, based on a market economy. Thus, we have no rights to say that the European Union and the world community did not take part in the settlement of the conflicts peacefully.However, putting on hold military action, but without reaching consensus in resolving disputes or frozen conflicts, not only inhibits geopolitical development of the participating countries, but also serves as a prerequisite for the destabilization of the entire system of international relations. Our country is not an exception and we also have a hidden conflict over Western Sahara, which, due to its geographical position traditionally is a disputed territory, the possession of which at one time claimed Spain and France.Our country is embroiled in armed conflict in 1957 – 58 with Spain, the rise of nationalism also contributed to the tense situation in the region among the people of Western Sahara, and consequently, the formation of the Popular Front (POLISARIO) in May 1973, which launched an ar med struggle against the Spaniards. As a result, in 1975, were entered into the Madrid Agreement and the Western Sahara territory was divided between our country and Mauritania. But POLISARIO immediately declared the independence of the Arab Democratic Republic and supported by Algeria began fighting against our country and Mauritania.However, the neighbouring countries have given up their rights to part of the territory of Western Sahara, allowing us as a more economically and militarily powerful country to continue to fight for the right to possess the territory. Interest in the territory of Western Sahara is due not only to national-ethnic factor, but also a lot of subsoil resources are located in the area. On September 6, 1991, UN a truce was arranged, but so far the conflict finally settled as a referendum on independence has not been conducted.Search for solution to the frozen conflict is of interest to our country in view of the growing possibility of a conflict with Spain, w hose city enclaves in the territory of our country. But the number of the Moroccan population in these cities is gradually increasing over the Spanish. This situation can be a starting point for separatist thoughts. So we need to develop a general model without resolving the frozen conflicts on the basis of precedent, at least learn how to prevent and deal with them at the local, sub-national level.

Gilgamesh

The epic of Gilgamesh is about the ruler of uruk Gilgamesh and his quest to receive everlasting life. Gilgamesh wanted to receive everlasting life because he saw his best friend enkidu die of a slow agonizing death witch lead Gilgamesh to put his own mortality to question.. Enkidu died this death as punishment for the thing he and Gilgamesh did like kill the bull of heaven and chop down all the trees in the cedar forest after killing the demon humbaba. So Gilgamesh goes to the end of the earth to find utnapishtims to grant him everlasting life. Utnapishtims tells him he can have everlasting life if he can stay awake for 7 days Gilgamesh fails immediately and ends up going back to uruk but before he goes back utnapishtims tells Gilgamesh about a flower that restores youth , so Gilgamesh gets the flower but it gets stolen so he leaves with nothing but knowledge witch he shares with his people. The main character is Gilgamesh he is a hero, fiercest of warriors he is two thirds god one third human and has super natural abilities.. fter seeing his friend enkidu die he goes off on a quest to get him out of the house of dust and gain everlasting life. Gilgamesh had to prove himself many times in the story by defeating challenges that faced him , killing the bull of heaven, when utnapishtim told him to sleep for seven days, getting the flower that restores youth and fighting offa pack of lions that the gods sent after him. The was an abundant presence of mythical beings the sun god, enlil the god of earth ,wind and air, and anu the god of the sky. His journey takes him to supernatural places such as the underworld the twin peaked mountain called mashu and on a boat journey through the waters of death. The story reaches a low point when Gilgamesh’s’ friend enkidu dies also when he failed utnapishtims challenge to stay awake for a week. The resurrection of the story was when Gilgamesh was told about the flower that restores everlasting life. He returns to uruk after the flower was stolen by a snake with much wisdom that he shares with his people. Gilgamesh’s characteristics define him as a quest hero. He is two thirds god and one third mortal and he is the strongest of men, he is ruler of uruk , the greatest of warriors and ambitious builder Gilgamesh surrounded his city with magnificent walls and glorious ziggurats, he was physically beautiful, immensely strong, and very wise. Gilgamesh’s flaws and virtues are very oversized. He goes on an epic quest after his best friend dies. He visits places that are supernatural and cannot be visited by humans. he was faced with many challenges that he over came to complete his quest. Sumer was one of the earliest civilizations of the near ancient east, located in the southern part of Mesopotamia. The term sumerian refers to the people who speak the Sumerian language. Sumer ancient Egypt and indusvalley civilization were considered the first settled society in the world to have all the features needed to have a civilization. The history of Sumeria dates back to the beginning of writing and law which the Sumerians were accredited for inventing. And was essential for maintaining order within city-states. For centuries city states used Sumerian law, which established penalties for certain offenses. This represents recognition that society can’t function without respect for life, property and shared values. The Sumerians were non Semitic people and were at one time believed to have been invader, as a number of linguists believed they could possibly detect a substrate language beneath Sumerian. However, archeological record shows clear uninterrupted cultural continuity from the time of the early unbaid period settlements in southern Mesopotamia. The Sumerian peoples farm land was mad fertile by slit deposited by the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. By the late fourth millennium B. C. E. , sumer was divided into about a dozen independent city states, whose limits were defined by canals and boundary stones. Each was centered on a temple dedicated to the particular patron deity of the city and ruled over by a priest and or king, who was tied to the city’s religious rites. The principle Sumerian sites were the cities of mari, agade, kish, borsippa, nippur , isin, adab, shuruppak, girsu lagash, ur and eridu . he minor cities wear sippar , kutha, dilbat, marad, kisurra , zabala, umma , kisiga, awan, hamazi, eshnunna akshak, and zimbir. The Sumerian city-states rose to power during the prehistorical ubad and uruk periods. The historical record opens with early dynastic period from ca. the twenty ninth century B. C. E. , but remains scarce until the lagash period begins in the twenty sixith century. Classical sumer ends with akkadian empire in the twenty fourth century. Followed by the gutian period, there is a short â€Å"Sumerian renaissance† in the twenty second, cut short in ca. 000 B. C. E. by Amorite invasions. The Amorite â€Å"dynasty of isin† persists until ca. 1730 B. C. E. when Mesopotamia is united under Babylonian rule. Recapping my essay Gilgamesh is an epic about the ruler of uruk who went on a quest to find everlasting life but in the end Gilgamesh did not find everlasting life. His characteristics match that of an epic hero and the sumer civilization was one of the first civilizations to have all the essentials to be a civilization and the Sumerians were credited for inventing writing and law and wear a great civilization.

Congress Members Services to Constituents

While they may not always vote the way you think they should, the members of the U.S. Congress from your state or congressional district - Senators and Representatives -- can and will do some very useful things known as constituent services for you. While most can be requested or arranged for through your Senator’s or Representative’s website, these and other services can be requested in a  personal letter  or in a  face-to-face meeting  with your members of Congress.   Get a Flag Flown Over the Capitol U.S. flags that have actually been flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., can be ordered from all senators and representatives. Flags are available in sizes ranging from 3x5 to 5x8 and cost from about $17.00 to about $28.00. You can request a specific date, like a birthday or anniversary, on which you want your flag flown. Your flag will come with a presentation-quality certificate from the Architect of the Capitol certifying that your flag was flown over the Capitol. If you specify that the flag should be flown to commemorate a special event, the certificate will also note that event. The flags are of high quality, with embroidered stars and individually sewn stripes. Be sure to order your flag at least 4 weeks before the date you want it flown over the Capitol, and then allow about 4- to 6-weeks for delivery. Most, if not all members of Congress now provide online forms for ordering flags on their websites, but you can still order them by good old U.S. mail  if you prefer. Demand for flags tends to go up around special occasions like July 4, national elections, or the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, so delivery might take a little longer. Get Nominated to a U.S. Military Service Academy Each U.S. senator and representative is permitted to nominate candidates for appointment to four U.S. service academies. These schools are the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. You can also get more information on service academy nominations by reading the CRS report Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies (.pdf) Work as a Senate Page Generally open to 16- or 17-year-old high school juniors, the Senate Page Program allows students a unique opportunity to learn about Congress while continuing with their coursework. Page responsibilities center on their work assisting Senators in the Senate Chamber when Congress is in session. The program is one of the most selective and prestigious in the United States. Each Senator may sponsor interested high school students, who then compete for a limited number of positions. Win the Congressional App Challenge The offices of U.S. Representatives in participating House districts can help K-12 students compete in the annual Congressional App Challenge. Students design and submit their own software application, individually or in groups of up to four. Winning apps may be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year, and additional prizes may be available. Win the Congressional High School Art Competition High school students from participating House districts are eligible for the annual Congressional Art Competition. The winning piece of visual artwork from each congressional district is displayed in the Capitol for a year. Since the program began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Plan Your Visit to Washington, D.C. Your members of Congress know their way around Washington, D.C., and they can help you enjoy a great visit. Many members will even help you book visits to D.C. landmarks like the White House, the Library of Congress and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. They can also direct you to tours you can book yourself including, the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, and Washington Monument. Most members of Congress also provide web pages filled with information of importance to D.C. visitors including points of interest, airport and subway information, entertainment, and more. In addition, you can schedule a visit with your senator or representative, if they are in D.C. during your visit. Get Information on Grants Remembering that very few federal grants are available to individuals, your senators and representatives are well equipped to provide information on grants. They can help you or your organization with information on funding availability, grant eligibility, small business assistance, student loans, non-grant sources of federal aid and much more. Get a Special Greeting Card Last but far from least, you can request a very nice, personalized greeting card from your senator or representative commemorating special events like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations or other life achievements. Many members of Congress now provide online forms for ordering greetings and most allow you to order greetings by phone or fax. You can also get one from the White House. Help With a Federal Agency Helping citizens navigate the complex federal agency system is part of the job for U.S. Senators and Representatives. Their offices may be able to help if you are having trouble working with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the IRS or any other federal agency.