A competition to showcase how computing is being developed in schools,

how it is engaging pupils and enabling them for computing futures.

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, champions the global IT profession and the interests of individuals engaged in that profession for the benefit of all. Since 2013, the BCS Bedford Branch has been running a coding competition for Schools to cultivate young computing leaders. The competition is open to all schools in the four local education authorities and independent schools in the Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire areas.

• Schools are invited to introduce the competition to Year 7, 8 and 9 students

Year 7 Online Safety

Create an educational resource that promotes the positive aspects of online talking and messaging but also helps people to understand when online behaviour could become inappropriate and risky. The resource must send out a safe online message so that people feel empowered to deal with uncomfortable situations online.

To create this resource you can use Alice, Scratch or ANY suitable programming language.

Year 8 Identity Theft

Produce a game that helps people to understand what identity theft is and why it is important to guard against it. The game could help the players recognise strategies used to access private information. The game must suggest ways to guard against phishing and identify theft.

To create this game you can use Alice, Scratch or ANY suitable programming language.

Y9 Cyber Security

Cyber threats are all around us. Regularly in the news there are reports of one organisation or another being compromised in one way or another, often with data being stolen. This is a real problem in 2017 and people are just not dealing effectively with the threats. Can you help? Produce a game, that is fun to play, but informs the public about the threats that are out there and how to protect themselves or their businesses.

Judges will be looking for:

• Creativity
• Selection use, combination and presentation of images and text
• The appropriate choice and use of programming instructions and should include: Custom blocks, Loops and Variables
• The clarity of the finished presentation in demonstrating improved learning outcomes

Prizes to include: trophies, medals and other goodies which will be awarded at Cranfield University in June 2016

Competition Rules:

• Students may work individually, in pairs or teams of no more than 4.
• The audience is year 7 and 8 students (Y7 & 8 competition) and the audience can be chosen by the students for the Y9 completion. The audience must be clear when submitting entries for the Y9 competition.
• You must register your interest in the competition by 28th February 2017.
• The deadline for submission is 8th May 2017.
• Students are reminded to be e-aware and avoid music or images that are subject to copyright restrictions.
• All work must be original and done with minimal help of teachers or parents. Help given must be notified on the entry form.
• During the production students should follow the normal rules of safety and not reveal any personal details online (e.g. Scratch) and all work should be polite and respectful.
• The judges’ decision is final.
• This competition is open to all schools in local education authorities and independent schools in Bedfordshire , Milton Keynes and Luton.

In addition

• The awards ceremony will take place on 15th June at Cranfield University.
• Schools will also benefit from a participation award of up to £100, subject to terms & conditionsi.
• The launch event will take place at the Computing at School Hub Meeting at Mark Rutherford School on 19th January from 4.30 to 6.30.

For further information please contact: Jackie.samosa@mrus.co.uk

Schools that participate in the competition and attend the prize giving will be eligible for the participation award of up to £100