Top Computer Science Competitions for High School Students in 2024

• 1. Hack Club’s High School Hackathons

  Summary: A series of student-led hackathons across the country, where high schoolers team up to build and present innovative projects in a competitive yet collaborative environment.

• Pros: Encourages teamwork, creativity, and hands-on coding experience with support from mentors and industry professionals.

• Cons: Requires the ability to work under pressure, as projects must be completed within a limited timeframe.

• Date: Various dates throughout 2024.

• Cost: Free of charge, with some events offering travel stipends.

• Prize: Prizes vary by event, often including tech gadgets, internships, and scholarships.

• 2. MIT THINK Scholars Program

  Summary: A prestigious research and innovation competition where high school students develop a technology project and receive mentorship from MIT students.

• Pros: Offers one-on-one guidance from MIT students, a budget for materials, and an invitation to present your project at MIT.

• Cons: The application process is rigorous, requiring a detailed project proposal and research plan.

• Date: Applications open in October 2024 and close in January 2025.

• Cost: Free of charge.

• Prize: A fully-funded trip to MIT, research grants, and the chance to network with leading innovators in technology.

• 3. STEAM in AI Multimodal Challenge

  Summary: An AI challenge where students work on problems presented and create presentations for solutions to inspire students to pursue technology.

  Pros: The challenge is designed for young learners in middle and high school; no previous coding experience is required.

  Cons: Teams must find their own Mentors.

  Date: 2024 season

  Cost: $60

  Prize: Up to $1,000 prize

• 4. Congressional App Challenge

  Summary: A national competition that invites students to create and present original apps, promoting creativity and innovation in technology.

• Pros: Opportunity to have your app recognized by Congress, with winners celebrated in Washington, D.C.

• Cons: Requires a solid understanding of app development and a compelling presentation.

• Date: Submissions open in June 2024 and close in November 2024.

• Cost: Free of charge.

• Prize: Winning apps are displayed in the U.S. Capitol and featured on the House of Representatives’ website.

• 5. Codeforces Contests

  Summary: A series of online contests that challenge students with competitive programming problems, allowing them to benchmark their skills against a global community.

• Pros: Frequent contests with immediate feedback, helping students continuously improve their coding skills.

• Cons: The highly competitive environment can be intimidating for beginners.

• Date: Contests are held throughout the year.

• Cost: Free of charge.

• Prize: Recognition in the global coding community, with top coders gaining opportunities for internships and jobs in the tech industry.

• 6. USACO (USA Computing Olympiad)

  Summary: A prestigious competition that identifies and nurtures talented high school programmers with the potential to represent the U.S. in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).

• Pros: Access to an elite network of programmers, extensive training resources, and the chance to compete internationally.

• Cons: The competition is highly challenging, with a steep learning curve.

• Date: Contests run from December 2024 through March 2025.

• Cost: Free of charge.

• Prize: Top performers can earn medals, scholarships, and the honor of representing the U.S. internationally.

• 7. American Computer Science League (ACSL)

  Summary: A highly regarded competition that challenges students with a mix of coding and computer science theory, fostering problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Pros: Offers different difficulty levels, making it accessible to both beginners and advanced students, and provides a clear pathway to improve and advance.

• Cons: Requires consistent preparation over the school year, with multiple rounds.

• Date: Competitions take place between October 2024 and April 2025.

• Cost: Varies depending on the division and school participation.

• Prize: Scholarships and certificates, with top teams invited to the ACSL All-Star Contest.

Are you interested in utilizing your coding skills to solve problems across multiple disciplines?

Apply to Join the STEAM in AI Intensive Summer  Cohort 2024 today!