Tag Archives: Scholarships

2012 Generation Google Scholarship

2012 Generation Google Scholarship

Deadline to Apply is February 20, 2012

The Generation Google Scholarship is a new program for aspiring computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field.  Selected students will receive $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) a year for up to four years (or until graduation, whichever comes first) so long as they maintain criteria for renewal.  Recipients will also be invited to attend Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) in the summer of 2012.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Intends to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student at a university in the US or Canada for the 2012-2013 school year
  • Intends to be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a baccalaureate Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related program
  • Exemplifies leadership and demonstrates a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology through involvement in their community
  • Strong record of academic achievement
  • A student from an underrepresented group in computer science (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female, or a Person with a Disability)
  • Demonstrates financial need

For complete details, visit the Generation Google Scholarship site.

2011 Texas CS Contest Season Kicks Off

What are Computer Science Contests?

First, this is a rewrite / update of a prior post related to contests.  I needed to include some of this again and update quite a bit as the new CS Contest season is underway here in Texas.  Texas has tons of contests and I feel the contests are great ways to recruit more students.

Computer Science contests are huge in Texas and they should be huge everywhere.  Basically, you have a contest every two weeks if you live in Houston or the surrounding area.

The 7 Lakes Kick-off Classic took place this past Saturday, October 8th.  This contest starts off the statewide contest circuit each year.  The season wraps up each year in May with the UIL State Academic Meet Computer Science Contest.  This state contest is the culmination of all of the local contests.

Each contest typically has a programming component and a written test component.  The programming component consists of a packet of problems that each team must attempt to solve.  A standard packet will have 12 problems.  A more expanded packet may have 18.  Each local contest has the option to create their own packet and set the number of problems.

The UIL Computer Science Contest, a statewide contest in Texas, has 12 problems so that is the number most local contests go with.  The written component consists of a 40 question multiple-choice test.  Test questions focus on logic, algorithms, data-structures, and language features.  All tests used in Texas use Java as the testing language.

Why take teams to contests?

Contests force students into a real team environment with the added pressure of finite time.  Most programming contests only last two hours and only allow teams to use one computer.  Teams must learn how to work together in a timed environment to solve problems.  Students learn valuable teamwork and problem-solving skills in these settings each and every time they compete.

Teamwork is key! Each team of 3 students is allowed to use 1 computer.  All 3 students must share time and learn to work together to get things done.  This is hard for all students, but especially for Computer Science students which typically try to avoid working with other people at all cost.  My students experience tremendous positive growth learning to work in these situations.

Another benefit is that many large software companies use similar problems for interviewing purposes as those often seen in contest packets.  A common programming problem often involves determining if an exit from a maze exists.   A former student of mine was asked to explain solving this exact problem when interviewing for a Google position.

Winning is contagious!  Get a few students to go compete and actually win and your enrollment will spike upwards.  All students want to be a part of a winner.

How do I get involved and help my students prepare?

If you are in Texas, check my contest dates page.  If you are in another state, find out who hosts contests or host your own.   Check out my site for information on hosting your own contest.  Send me an email if you have questions or want to get started.

Encourage your students to solve lots and lots of problems.  I maintain a contest practice site loaded with tons of live problems.  USACO and CodingBat are also great resources for live practice.   Get your students to “crank code” as much as possible.

Looking forward to a great year

The 2011-2012 season is underway and it looks like we will have an awesome year!  Good luck to all!

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing!

Calling all digital divas, web chix, and coder girls!

NCWIT seeks high-school-level young women to apply for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing! The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women active and interested in computing and encourages them to pursue their passion for technology. Winners get cool prizes, gadgets, and scholarships, and can join a community of like-minded technical women. National award-winners are selected from across the country and Affiliate Award competitions are available in more than 30 regions nationwide.  All girls at all computing levels are encouraged to apply—we’d like to recognize aspirations, not just accomplishments!

National award-winners receive:

  • $500 in cash
  • A laptop computer
  • An engraved award (for both the student and her school)
  • An expenses-paid trip to the national Award ceremony (for the student and her parent/guardian) on March 10, 2012

Affiliate Award will vary by state.  Visit www.ncwit.org/award for details on Affiliate competitions.

Competition for the 2012 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing is open to any U.S. high-school-level female (grades 9-12). Applications will be accepted beginning September 15, 2011, and must be submitted online at www.ncwit.org/award no later than 11:59 PM ET on October 31, 2011.  Winners will be announced December 9, 2011.

2011 CS Contest Season Ends

What are Computer Science Contests?

Computer Science contests are huge in Texas.  Basically, you have a contest every two weeks if you live in Houston or the surrounding area.  In the fall, the contest season starts in early October with the 7 Lakes Kick-off Classic which starts the whole contest circuit.  The season wraps up each year in May with the UIL State Academic Meet Computer Science Contest.  This state contest is the culmination of all of the local contests.

Each contest typically has a programming component and a written test component.  The programming component consists of a packet of problems that each team must attempt to solve.  A standard packet will have 12 problems.  A more expanded packet may have 18.  Each local contest has the option to create their own packet and set the number of problems.  The UIL Computer Science Contest, a statewide contest in Texas, has 12 problems so that is the number most local contests go with.  The written component consists of a 40 question multiple-choice test.  Test questions focus on logic, algorithms, data-structures, and language features.  All tests used in Texas use Java as the testing language.

Why take teams to contests?

Contests force students into a real team environment with the added pressure of finite time.  Most programming contests only last two hours and only allow teams to use one computer.  Teams must learn how to share a single computer and work together in a timed environment to solve problems.  Students learn valuable teamwork and problem-solving skills in these settings each and every time they compete.

Another benefit is that many large software companies use similar problems for interviewing purposes as those often seen in contest packets.  A common programming problem often involves determining if an exit from a maze exists.   A former student of mine was asked to explain solving this exact problem when interviewing for a Google position.

Winning is contagious!  Get a few students to go compete and actually win and your enrollment will spike upwards.  All students want to be a part of a winner.

How do I get involved?

If you are in Texas, check my contest dates page.  Several Texas contests are already posted.  If you are in another state, find out who hosts contests or host your own.   Check out my site for information on hosting your own contest.

Looking forward to next year

The contest season here in Texas just wrapped up.  It was a ton of fun and I look forward to what next year holds.  Good luck!

CS News – NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

“The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. Awardees are selected for their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing offers both a national and local “affiliate” competitions to generate support and visibility for women’s participation in communities nationwide. ”

September 13, 2010 is when the application process will open.

Preparing Your Application PDF –  this will help to get an application ready

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing is a great program and all Computer Science teachers should encourage all of the girls in their respective Computer Science programs to apply.  We have lots of girls in the Computer Science program at my school and they will all be encouraged to participate in the application process.

One of our girls was an award winner last year and was quite honored.  My high school and district recognized her accomplishment and worked very hard to publicize her award.  It meant a lot to her.  The other Computer Science students thought she was quite the celebrity.

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

“Sponsored by Bank of America, the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing recognizes young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. By generating visibility for these young women in their local communities, the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing encourages their continued interest in computing, attracts the attention and support of educational and corporate institutions, and emphasizes at a personal level the importance of women’s participation.”

This looks like a great opportunity for young ladies interested in Computing.
I plan to put this in the hands of all of the girls in our Computer Science program.