Launching a free programming playground for children in grades 1-9 nationwide.

Students try their hand at programming languages.

The "Programming Race" competition officially kicks off on September 30, 2024.

Pioneering the application of technology and gamification in education , through the VioEdu Arena, which has been embraced by millions of students, VioEdu has successfully helped digital citizens access knowledge through engaging and exciting game competitions. Recently, the platform partnered with Codelearn to officially launch the "Programming Race" competition for students from grades 1-9 nationwide.

The competition will run from September 2024 to April 2025 with 3 rounds: Kick-off (September 30, 2024 - January 12, 2025), Acceleration (January 13, 2025 - April 13, 2024) and Final (expected at the end of April 2025).

Students can participate in the competition for free in 3 categories: Junior Programming (grades 1-3); Children's Programming (grades 4-5); and Young Programmers (middle school). Elementary school students will use Scratch, while middle school students can choose one of the following languages: Python, C++, or Java to conquer the competition's challenges, ranging from easy to difficult.

"With the current development of computer science , mastering programming languages opens up many opportunities for future digital citizens. Through this platform, we hope that even young children with no prior programming knowledge can try their hand at it, experience the excitement of this subject, and discover their hidden potential," a representative from the organizing committee shared.

That's why the competition will kick off with 15 theoretical challenges before students compete in practical exercises. Each week, the system opens one challenge in the form of a multiple-choice programming test, consisting of 20 questions to be completed in 15 minutes. Students register an account on the CodeLearn system and participate. The journey to conquer the Kick-off round will help them become familiar with programming languages, develop logical thinking, and improve their digital skills.

programming 2.jpg — Students will become familiar with programming languages, progressing from easy to difficult, from theory to practice, through participating in this playground.

In the practical section (Acceleration Round), elementary school students will take turns building products based on given assignments (animated videos and games), while middle school students will work on exercises related to programming algorithms and run test cases. This is an opportunity for them to apply what they have learned to "create" their own products, enhancing their problem-solving skills and higher-order thinking.

Meanwhile, the final round, held offline in both the North and South of Vietnam in April 2025, will be an opportunity for young programming talents to shine.

The total prize money amounts to 500 million VND.

The Grand Finals offer attractive prizes, including a championship trophy, certificate, and gifts worth 10 million VND for the champion.

The "Programming Race" has a total prize pool of up to 500 million VND. The top champions in this "race" will win valuable technology prizes: First prize worth 10 million VND, Second and Third prizes worth 5 million VND each. All participants in the Final round will also receive a commemorative kit from the competition.

“I think everyone should get exposure to computer science because it really makes you think differently. It’s a skill you can apply in life in general, whether you pursue a career in computer science or not,” shared Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.

By being exposed to programming languages from an early age in school, students will not only hone and perfect the skills of 21st-century citizens, but also have a brighter, more dynamic future with more choices, contributing to affirming the intelligence of Vietnamese programmers in the global technological landscape.

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