Michigan State University recently hosted the 14th Annual Programming Competition for 10 teams of high school students from around Michigan.
Students from East Lansing High School, Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Midland High School and the St. Clair County Technical Education Center came to the Engineering Building to compete in novice and experienced programming categories.
Laura Dillon, professor emeritus of computer science and engineering, said the annual contest offers students a distinctive way to explore interests in computer science and programming.
“This competition gives high school students the chance to experience the fun and excitement of working together to solve problems in a university environment. It’s important because early experiences like this shape confidence, ambition, and career choices,” she added.
Awards were presented to the following:
- Experienced, first place, Team EL Coderz, East Lansing High School
- Experienced, second place, Team Super Sonic Legends, Pioneer High School
- Experienced, third place, Team Midland 1 of Midland High School
- Novice, first place, Team Trojaneers, East Lansing High School
- Novice, second place, Team Debug Demons, Pioneer High School
- Novice, third place, Team Firebirds, St. Clair Tec
The competition was organized by Josh Nahum, teaching specialist in MSU’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), with help from Teresa VanderSloot, director of Broadening Participation K12, CSE Professor Emeritus Laura Dillon, and the following students:
- Sanaz Hasanzadeh, CSE Ph.D. student
- Divyalakshmi Varadha Rajan Prem Suda, CSE senior
- Benjamin Harrison, CSE senior
- Joshua Twumasi, CSE junior and
- Lia Kim, CSE junior.
The MSU students helped with writing questions for the competition, creating and maintaining the website, and proctoring.
The event was sponsored by MSU’s College of Engineering Broadening Participation K-12 program.
Written by Patricia Mroczek
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page