Entries for DVLA’s Code Challenge competition now open
Elementary School Computer Science Classroom: Smart Little Schoolboy Works on Personal Computers, Learning Programming Language for Software Coding. Schoolchildren Getting Modern Education
DVLA’s Code Challenge competition is back for 2023 giving students from across Wales the chance to put their coding skills to the test to win IT equipment for their schools or colleges.
The competition is part of DVLA’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) programme with the aim of encouraging and celebrating STEM skills in children and young people across Wales.
This year’s event will see schools going head-to-head to code a game that tackles a theme set by one of DVLA’s sponsors or associates, with prizes of up to £2,000’s worth of IT equipment up for grabs. Some of the game-based challenges set by sponsors include coding for the British Army in a recovery effort, designing a robot to help assess if buildings are safe for humans to enter, and using code to design a virtual escape room.
Code Challenge is open to 7 to 18-year-olds, with a category for both primary and secondary schools and a separate Commerce in Code competition for colleges and sixth forms. This year’s Commerce in Code challenge will see students tasked with submitting a tender to redesign the DVLA STEM website, testing their business and IT skills.
DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard said:
“Code Challenge provides students with a fantastic opportunity to bring their ideas to life through coding, in a fun and interactive environment.
“The competition not only focuses on hands-on learning with real-world applications, but it also promotes teamwork and communication – all increasingly vital skills for the workplaces of today and tomorrow. I am excited to see what the talented students entering this year’s competition will develop.
A live event hosted by TV presenter Sian Lloyd will be held at DVLA’s Richard Ley Development Centre in Swansea and live streamed to schools across Wales on Tuesday 5 December to announce the winners of all competitions.
How to enter
Schools, colleges and sixth forms can register their interest on the DVLA STEM website and final entries must be submitted by the closing date.
Closing date
The closing date for the Code Challenge is 6 October 2023 and the closing date for the Commerce in Code Challenge is 15 September 2023.