Computer Science Students Crack Codes and Conquer Challenges
The Marist’s Computer Science department is celebrating the achievements of our students in recent national and international competitions. Our students have been actively participating in a variety of challenges, demonstrating their exceptional problem-solving, critical thinking, and coding skills.
Recent Events:
Bebras Challenge: The Bebras Challenge is an international initiative aimed at promoting computational thinking. All of our Key Stage 3 students tackled a series of puzzles and problems, applying logical reasoning and algorithmic thinking to solve complex challenges.
National Cipher Challenge: Organized by the University of Southampton, the National Cipher Challenge is a prestigious competition that tests participants’ codebreaking abilities. The challenges are inspired by historical figures like Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage, and Kate Warne, our students have delved into the world of cryptography, deciphering hidden messages and cracking complex codes.
CyberFirst Competition: A group of talented Year 8 students are currently participating in the CyberFirst competition, which can include anything from questions on logic and coding to networking, and cryptography. This complex challenge involves students working on solving a range of 230 varied challenges. The competition is a government-backed initiative designed to inspire the next generation of cyber security professionals. Run by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, it introduces young learners to the fundamentals of cybersecurity, equipping them with the skills to protect digital systems and networks. this competition challenges students to solve real-world cyber security problems, such as identifying phishing emails and understanding the latest cyber threats.
The Marist is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in STEM. We encourage our students to embrace challenges, explore new technologies, and consider careers in this dynamic field. By participating in these competitions, our students gain valuable experience, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare themselves for future success in the ever-evolving world of technology.
These competitions are by no means easy. Have a look at some exemplar problems for each competition below, and find the answers on the second page.
