Information technology has become a required subject in the new curriculum reform, and as athletic and artistic students gradually fade from the historical stage, technology-focused students are becoming increasingly recognized as a new pathway. It is clear that programming, as the cornerstone of artificial intelligence, is receiving more and more attention and importance.
Whitelisted Programming Competitions for Primary and Secondary Schools
The Ministry of Education’s General Office has announced the “List of National Competitions for Primary and Secondary School Students for the 2022-2025 Academic Years,” which includes 13 events for elementary students focusing on natural science literacy, of which 7 events include programming.
Whitelisted events must adhere to the principles of public welfare and voluntariness, and no registration fees of any kind are charged to participants.
As an event certified by the Ministry of Education, it has a mature evaluation system, which better regulates competitions for students aged 6-18, while also further enhancing the competition’s value.
Features: Free; many assessments and some non-whitelisted events require registration fees of several hundred yuan.
Value: Ministry of Education certified—results will be entered into the system, widely popular, allowing children nationwide to compete together.
Recommended Whitelisted Programming Event 1:
National Information Technology Innovation and Practice Competition for Primary and Secondary Schools (NOC)
The National Information Technology Innovation and Practice Competition for Primary and Secondary Students (NOC) is a large-scale event organized by the Central Propaganda Department’s Urban-Rural Coordination and Development Research Center and the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence to promote information technology education and innovation.
NOC is one of the largest information technology promotion activities since the start of information technology education nationwide.
Features: High value, wide accessibility and improvement coexist, which is a characteristic of the NOC competition. The competition advocates a spirit of “participation is key” and does not set high barriers for participating students. Through the competition, a group of outstanding talents with awareness of technological innovation and practical abilities has been discovered and cultivated, resulting in a large number of high-level works full of individual creativity and independent innovation.
Contestant certificate style:
Applicable languages:
Junior graphical (6-8 years), senior graphical (9-12 years), senior Python (9-12 years), junior Python (13-15 years), junior C++ (13-15 years)
Recommended Whitelisted Programming Event 2:
Lanqiao Cup National Software and Information Technology Professional Talent Competition
The Lanqiao Cup competition is a national professional information technology event hosted by the Talent Exchange Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Since the 8th session in 2016, the competition has added a creative programming group for primary and secondary schools, referred to as the youth group.
Since the 12th session, the STEMA evaluation exam has replaced the regional selection competition for the youth group, providing a more comprehensive and scientific assessment of students’ technological literacy, logical thinking, and programming abilities, yielding comprehensive evaluation results that can be measured across time and geography.
Features: High value; a relatively complete high-end activity experience; a great practice opportunity that helps children broaden their horizons.
Contestant certificate style:
Applicable languages: Graphical, Python, C++ Overall arrangement: divided into STEMA evaluation, provincial competition, national competition
Programming Level Exam
If competitions can be described as multiplayer contests, then programming level tests are like solo contests that prove one’s abilities.
Programming level tests are complex and varied; how to choose the right exam?
We recommend the Youth Artificial Intelligence Programming Level Test (YCL), organized jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s Education and Examination Center, the Chinese Electronic Education Society, and the China Industrial Communication Publishing Group.
Features: Certificates issued by formal organizations, dual organization certification, high value: candidates can check their certificates on both the Youth Artificial Intelligence Programming Level Test official website and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s Education and Examination Center official website. The Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Computing Institute co-constructed the question bank, ensuring professionalism, fairness, and strong authority.
Sample certificate:
Applicable languages: Levels 1-3 use graphical programming as a medium, levels 4-8 advance to code programming (Python and C++), based on the logical relationships and difficulty of knowledge points as the basis for progression.
From the competitions and assessments, it can be seen that the programming competitions involve languages such as: graphical, Python, C++.
Learning and Thinking Programming System
Graphical Programming
For younger students, graphical programming is also a good choice; it is a children’s programming learning tool designed and developed by MIT. Children can write their own interactive media such as animations, games, and stories by dragging and dropping blocks. It is easy to operate, fun to teach, and very suitable for 1-2 grade children.
Suitable for:
1st and 2nd grade (students aged 6-8)
Graphical Zero-Basis Experience Class
Learning the three basic structures of graphical programming, experiencing the programming classroom and atmosphere, and cultivating interest. Scan the QR code below to register.
Python
As the abstract analytical ability of older elementary students gradually takes shape, their independence and willpower also develop, making this age group suitable for learning more abstract and complex programming languages, starting with Python, a language widely applied in the field of artificial intelligence.
In the monotonous process of text programming, we have added the educational yet entertaining pygame module to bring programming code to life and deepen learning impressions!
Suitable for:
Elementary students in grades 3-6
Python Zero-Basis Experience Class
Learning the three basic structures of text code programming, zero-basis entry into programming, and experiencing the fun of the programming classroom! Scan the QR code below to register immediately.
C++ Informatics Competition
C++, as one of the most commonly used development languages, is also the only language officially designated for informatics competitions.
Suitable for:
Elementary students in grades 5-6
C++ Zero-Basis Experience Class
Learning the basic function statements of C++ code programming, zero-basis entry, and experiencing the fun of the programming classroom! Scan the QR code below to register immediately.
Registration Experience Class Super Value Benefits
Anyone who successfully registers for a programming experience class will receive the 【Comprehensive Guide to Programming Competitions】 + 【Customized Large Mouse Pad】 after the experience ends.
Learning programming cultivates children’s abilities to face the future, giving them more skills and choices.
In the process of breaking down problems, analyzing issues, designing methods, and solving problems, children’s thinking is exercised.
By mastering English words and mathematics knowledge through programming code, it supports school learning.
Scan the code to add the programming assistant and join the programming group chat
