If you're a coder or a computer science enthusiast eager to showcase your skills, participating in computer science competitions is an excellent avenue to do so. Here, we have compiled information on ten top-notch coding and computer science competitions specifically designed for high school students. Take a look at the descriptions below and discover the ones that pique your interest. Additionally, read on to learn how participating in these competitions can make your college applications stand out.
Here are summaries of the top 10 computer science and coding competitions for high school students. Each competition focuses specifically on computer science and coding skills. Please note that if you're interested in competitions that encompass STEM subjects including computer science, you can refer to our guides on the best math and science competitions for high school students.
Imagine Cup
The Imagine Cup is renowned as one of the premier tech competitions for high school students. Although it encompasses various fields beyond computer science, the event significantly contributes to the development of students' coding, collaboration, and competition skills.
Organized by Microsoft, the Imagine Cup draws participants from all corners of the globe each year. Teams, comprising up to three members, engage in designing a technological solution to address social, environmental, or health-related issues. Crucially, their project must incorporate a Microsoft Azure component while considering aspects of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Eligibility: Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Prizes: The winning team receives an impressive $100,000 prize, along with valuable mentorship from Microsoft experts. Additionally, grant money may be awarded to further support the realization of their project.
Congressional App Challenge
This computer science competition aims to inspire more students to pursue STEM and coding while fostering a connection with their congressional representatives. Individual students or groups of up to four participants are tasked with designing an app. The competition allows the use of any programming language and platform, and the app can revolve around any theme or topic. Judging takes place at the congressional district level, with national recognition for the winners. Notably, the competition welcomes aspiring coders, with approximately 44% of participants considering themselves beginners.
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in participating congressional districts are eligible to participate.
Prizes: The winning apps have the opportunity to be showcased in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives' official website. Winners also receive an invitation to a reception on Capitol Hill and may receive additional prizes from sponsors.
CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Program
CyberPatriot, developed by the US Air Force, serves as a catalyst for encouraging students to pursue careers in cybersecurity and other STEM fields. This National Youth Cyber Defense Program engages teams consisting of 2-6 students in assignments that closely resemble those given to newly employed IT professionals. Through online competition rounds, teams are tasked with identifying and resolving cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The highest-performing teams earn the opportunity to participate in the in-person National Finals Competition held in Maryland, with all expenses covered. At the finals, teams compete for scholarship money.
Eligibility: Middle school students, high school students, and students enrolled in JROTC programs participate in separate divisions tailored to their respective levels.
Prizes: The competition awards scholarship money to winning teams, with the specific award amounts varying.
American Computer Science League
ACSL (American Computer Science League) organizes one of the oldest and most esteemed computer science competitions worldwide. To participate, your school must register and pay the required registration fee. Ahead of the competition, coaches provide coding instruction, emphasizing the ACSL exam categories. Subsequently, students form teams of 3 or 5 members and undertake four tests. The programming platform allows coding in Python 3, Java 8, or C++ based on defined specifications. Teams that achieve top scores progress through regional, statewide, and ultimately global competitions.
Eligibility: Elementary, middle, and high school students from around the world are eligible to participate, provided their respective schools have registered for the competition.
Prizes: The ACSL All-Star Contest winners are awarded prizes, although the specific details regarding the prize amounts are undisclosed.
USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
This widely recognized and esteemed competition evaluates participants' skills in algorithmic programming problems, which can be solved using various programming languages. Students engage in three online contests, along with a national "US Open" competition. Based on their performance in these contests, approximately the top 24 scorers receive an invitation to attend a training camp hosted at Clemson University during the early summer. The camp serves as a platform for further refining their abilities. Ultimately, the four highest-scoring participants earn an invitation to represent the United States at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).
Eligibility: The competition is open to middle school and high school students residing in the United States.
Prizes: The top four participants secure the opportunity to compete at the prestigious International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), representing the United States.
RoboRAVE
RoboRAVE is a computer science competition that caters to students passionate about programming and robotics. In teams consisting of two to four players, along with a coach, participants undertake the challenge of designing, building, and programming a robot capable of accomplishing diverse tasks. These tasks may include extinguishing candles, placing flags on steep inclines, and navigating elevated mazes. RoboRAVE distinguishes itself as an inclusive competition, welcoming teams from anywhere, utilizing self-built robots, and employing any programming software. It serves as an excellent opportunity for students interested in robotics to develop their computer science and robotics programming skills, even if they are still at the beginner level.
Eligibility: The high school division is specifically designated for students aged 14-18, although there are also other age group divisions available to accommodate a broader range of participants.
Prizes: RoboRAVE does not provide cash awards to winners; however, the competition offers valuable learning experiences and the chance to showcase participants' skills in programming and robotics.
Technovation Challenge
The Technovation Challenge aims to foster greater interest in coding and computer science among girls. This competition involves girls forming teams of 1-5 members and collaborating with volunteer mentors. Together, they utilize technology to design an app that addresses real-world issues such as climate change, bullying, and hunger. The competition encourages participation from both beginners and girls with extensive computer science backgrounds, as it aims to help girls enhance their tech skills.
Eligibility: Participants must identify as female and be between the ages of 10 and 18.
Prizes: The Technovation Challenge offers prizes and scholarships with values of up to $2,000, rewarding the innovative solutions and efforts of the participating girls.
Bebras
Bebras is a computing competition that presents participants with a series of 15 multiple-choice questions, allowing them 45 minutes to demonstrate their computational and logical thinking skills. The challenge takes place within the school environment, enabling students to gauge their growth in computer science aptitude over time.
Eligibility: The competition is open to students who are signed up by their teachers, with no specific restrictions on participation.
Prizes: Upon completion of the competition, teachers have the option to print certificates indicating the students' level of achievement, recognizing their performance and success in the Bebras competition.
First Robotics Competition
First Robotics stands out as one of the most prestigious robotics competitions available, demanding a substantial commitment in terms of both time and funding. Participants form teams consisting of at least 10 students, supported by two adult mentors. Their task is to design and construct an industrial-sized robot weighing approximately 150 pounds. Subsequently, the teams program their robots to compete in intricate field games during competitions.
Eligibility: The competition is open to high school students in the United States.
Prizes: First Robotics offers various scholarships and cash prizes to recognize outstanding achievements. Not only are top scorers rewarded, but there are also prizes for attributes such as team spirit, resilience, and other commendable qualities that enhance the overall competition experience. It's worth noting that specific prize amounts and categories may vary each year.
CoderZ League
The CoderZ League is a global online robotics competition that offers students the opportunity to learn programming skills by working with virtual robots. It serves as an exceptional platform for teenagers to explore the realms of coding, robotics, and STEM in an enjoyable and immersive manner. Through this competition, participants can enhance their knowledge and proficiency while engaging in a fun and captivating learning experience.
Eligibility: The competition is open to students worldwide, typically targeting teenagers who are interested in coding, robotics, and STEM. The specific age range and grade level eligibility may vary depending on the competition edition or category.
Prizes: The CoderZ League offers various prizes to participants, which may include certificates, trophies, or other forms of recognition for achievements in different competition categories.
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