Pišek computer competition - a form of encouraging programming learning for everybody

Abstract

Competing in different forms of programming and computer thinking can be a useful experience for students and can result in easier and more successful learning. Even in the field of computer science, many competitions are held. But unfortunately, there is a large gap between the number of competitors in primary schools and secondary schools, especially if we look at the numbers of competitors in the two biggest computer science competitions, i.e. Bober in primary schools and RTK in secondary schools, both organized by ACM Slovenia. The reason is probably that the first is about computer thinking and the second is about algorithms and programming. Considering the gap and the need to make programming more likable for everybody, we have organized a new competition in the scope of ACM Slovenia dubbed Pišek – competing in a visual programming language. The competition is adapted for beginners. By combining a programming language that prevents syntactic errors and exercises about computer thinking that are also encouraged by Bober, we have created a new competition that is appropriate for complete beginners and also for those that already possess more programming skills. The main goal of the competition remains to popularize programming for everybody and to make students the designers of a digital future instead of merely its users.