ICT
GROK NCSS CHALLENGE
The Grok NCSS Challenge starts on Monday 29 July, so if you are interested in Python now is the time to sign up for the challenge! The challenge lasts for eight weeks, each week, a new set of challenges is released, except the Newbie's stream.
The competition includes five streams from Newbies up to advanced levels:
NCSS Challenge (Newbies)
This stream is perfect for young beginners or beginners with no prior programming experience and are learning to code visually with blocks.
Learn how to program in our fun and friendly Blockly visual environment while you compete with students from around the world! You can also see how your programs look in Python.
The Newbies stream is designed for students with no prior experience in programming.
NCSS Challenge (Beginners - Blockly)
Perfect for beginners of all ages learning to code visually with blocks.
Learn how to program in our Blockly visual environment while you compete with students from around the world! You can also see how your programs look in Python.
The Beginners stream is designed for students with no prior experience in programming. This level is most suited to students in junior secondary school (12-16-year-olds) or anyone who wants to start with the basics.
There are two versions offered for the Beginners challenge, one in Blockly (block-based coding - this one) and one in Python (text programming - below).
NCSS Challenge (Beginners - Text Programming)
Perfect for beginners of all ages learning to code with text.
Learn how to program in Python while you compete with students from around the world! The Beginners stream is designed for students without prior experience in programming. This level is most suited to students in junior secondary school (12-16-year-olds) or anyone who wants to start with the basics.
This is the second text-based version of the Beginners challenge.
NCSS Challenge (Intermediate)
Perfect for students with some previous coding experience.
Improve your Python programming while you compete with students from around the world! The Intermediate stream is designed for students who either have completed the Beginners stream in a previous year, the Introduction to Programming (Python) or the Python for Beginners course or have some other prior programming experience.
This stream is targeted at students in middle secondary school and above (14-18-year-olds), but experienced junior students will also enjoy it.
NCSS Challenge (Advanced)
Perfect for experienced coders!
Test your skills against student programmers from around the world! The Advanced stream is designed for students with significant programming experience or those who are capable of moving fast through advanced material.
This level is aimed at students in senior secondary school (16-18 years) or extremely talented junior students.
How am I Scored? - Earning Points
Each problem has a set of tests. Once you think your code is working correctly you can submit your program to the marking system for testing.
You can run the marker as many times as you want, but be careful about points (explained below)
You will receive points only for passing all the tests for a problem before the submission deadline. No points are awarded for passing only some of the test cases.
How many points?
Each problem is worth 10 points. There may be different numbers of problems in any particular week so the total number of points available per week may vary.
If you solve the problem (passing all the tests) in the first five attempts, you will receive the full 10 points for that problem.
Every five incorrect submissions reduces the number of points you will receive for that problem. If you pass the tests on the 6th to 10th attempt (i.e. 5 to 9 incorrect submissions), you will receive 9 points. Every further five incorrect attempts lose another point until 5 points remain.
No matter how many incorrect submissions you make, you will still get at least 5 points for solving the problem before the deadline.
But remember you are competing against students from around the world!!!
If you want to find out more, please email Ms Ho (hmn@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au).
OR
If any of these streams appeals to your inner programmer, please email Ms Ho (hmn@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au) and state the stream you would most be interested in, remember to choose wisely.
Dear Ms Ho,
I would like to take part in the NCSS Challenge I am in {State your form and year group - e.g. 12N} and would like to participate in the {Newbies, Beginner - Blockly, Beginner - Text, Intermediate, Advanced} stream
Thank you
{Your name}
Only participants who are serious about finishing the challenge should apply as it takes weekly commitments to complete the challenge.
The submission deadline for all of the challenges is Sunday 1 September @ 9:00 pm.
Mary Ho
ICT Learning Area Manager