Applications are open and invited from students worldwide for the Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior 2024. The deadline for submissions of entries is May 8, 2024.
About the Competition
Now in its fifth year, Imagine Cup Junior is an exciting opportunity for students aged 5-18 years old to learn about technology and how it can be used to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges while participating in a global student challenge.
It’s a great introduction to technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cybersecurity, and is suitable for all levels, especially beginners.
They are very excited to add a new category for students aged 5-12 years old this year! Students in this age group will focus on Technology for Good with lessons designed especially for early learners. The newly designed teaching resources will help support educators in offering this opportunity to their students.
They are also excited to announce that they have added a lesson around Generative AI for Imagine Cup Junior’s AI for Good competition for students aged 13-18 years old.
How to Register and Participate?
Registration for Imagine Cup Junior opened on January 10, 2024. Team Leaders must submit projects on behalf of their student teams by May 8, 2024, 23:59 (GMT+0).
Participation in Imagine Cup Junior for students is via a Team Leader (such as an educator, instructor, staff member, parent, or guardian) over the age of 18. Team Leaders register on behalf of students and gain access to the Imagine Cup Junior Resource Pack outlined below to facilitate learning and the challenge.
Once registered, Team Leaders can access all the resources needed to educate students and run a great Imagine Cup Junior challenge. These resources include:
AI for Good Resource Pack for students ages 13-18:
- Getting Started Kit: includes six 45-minute lessons, student guides, submission template, rules and regulations, and rubric.
- Deep Learning Modules: in-depth overview of the six technology modules that supplement the Beginners Kit, for more advanced learning. Modules include Intro to AI, Machine Learning, AI Applications in Real Life, Deep Learning and Neural Networks, AI for Good, and Cybersecurity.
- Team Leader Toolkit: includes student certificates, social templates, posters, and more to leverage throughout the challenge.
- Judging Criteria and Rubric: to understand what will be used by judges to determine the winners.
- Rules and Regulations
Tech for Good Resource Pack for students ages 5-12:
- Getting Started Kit: includes five 45-minute lessons, Tech for Good playbook, submission template, rubric, and rules and regulations.
- Rules and Regulations
Students work in teams sized two (2) to six (6) students for the AI for Good category and teams of two (2) to forty (40) for the Tech for Good category to develop an original concept addressing Microsoft AI for Good and Tech for Good initiatives and complete the Imagine Cup Junior PowerPoint submission template.
Team Leaders can also access hackathon materials to run a hackathon in their classroom to help further understand best practices for running Imagine Cup Junior and facilitate additional learning for students.
Prizes
They are excited to see the ideas students submit! The top 10 global submission winners will be announced on June 13, 2024, via the Microsoft Education blog.
