It was an exciting day of technology and competition in the recent Great Computer Challenge (GCC)! The GCC is a joint project of WHRO, the Consortium for Interactive Instruction and Old Dominion University that provides an opportunity to recognize student achievement, foster teamwork and introduce students to a college environment. Teams of up to five students compete in categories such as Desktop Publishing, Object-Oriented Business Programming, Graphic and Web Design, Music Composition, Video Editing, and more.
This year was the 32nd annual competition, and 85 teams gathered at Old Dominion University to show off their skills as they competed for the top prizes. The annual technology competition for Hampton Roads students has grown so much throughout the years and continues to be split into two events - the senior challenge (grades 6-12), which was on April 1; and the junior challenge (grades K-5) which will take place May 13.
Each team is given a problem to work on and must complete it in the time allowed. The problems involve one or more items to produce. For instance, the Video Editing category required students to edit footage from a WHRO Odd Squad "Be An Agent" Camp to produce a one-minute promotional video. In the Web Design category, teams designed a website to market and sell smart watches. Competitors working in the Desktop Publishing category created a brochure and a flyer for an eco-fest.
In the category of Music Composition, one project included developing theme music for a comic book hero. One competitor in this category explained, “We had to work very hard and we had to analyze the problem very carefully because some of it was very complicated.”
The problems are aligned with the team’s grade level, with higher grades working on more complex problems. One team in the Graphic Design category created a logo for a coffee shop. Another one created a book cover.
All of the projects required a dedication to teamwork, as one of the winning teams in the Graphic Design category discovered. “We had to make a book cover for the movie Holes,” explained one of the participants. “It was intriguing. We were yelling at each other the whole time and we almost didn't finish.”
“But we got it done,” her teammate added.
For the first time, this year’s competition also included a category for Cyber Security — an area recently noted by Gov. Terry McAuliffe as a career field that is in demand in Virginia. Competition organizers seek to include categories like these that will equip students for future careers.
"Students who participate in cyber competitions like the Great Computer Challenge are sought after by employers because of their real-world experience," explained Liz Smith, Interdisciplinary Initiatives Coordinator for ODU's Office of Academic Affairs.
The teachers who brought students to the competition agree — from team building to making learning more fun, the competition is a winning experience for all the students involved. “Knowing these programs will help them excel in school and give them confidence,” explained one teacher. “Technology allows kids to be creative, and hands-on projects allow students to learn while applying necessary skills,” added another.
“It was a great day,” said Angie Callahan, Director of Children’s Services for WHRO. “We all had a great time, and these are some really smart kids!”
The Junior Division (Grades K-5) competition will be held May 13. We still need help for it. Volunteer today!
See a list of all the winners from the Senior Division.
Thank you to our sponsors: Bay Diesel & Generator and Generac Industrial Power.
