UWF to host community coding competition

CodeFest is a weekend-long event where programmers, project managers, graphic designers and others within the software development industry collaborate with students to develop a consumer product. Several events are held around the country and this will be UWF’s first. Each team consists of four to five students and a mentor to help guide them through the weekend-long competition.

The event gives students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in an area of interest; network with other students, professors, community leaders and industry professionals; and learn about the development process while developing a product with beneficial purpose for an organization, region or cause – all while having fun developing new and interesting products.

This year’s theme is “Areas of Need in Education,” and features several categories, including programming in K-12; broadening participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; musical education; and kindergarten readiness. The last category stems from the Studer Community Institute’s call for innovative ideas to prepare children for kindergarten. Due at the end of the month, the best idea from the community could win $25,000.

Registration is open to students at universities and colleges for $10 and can be completed online at the UWF Continuing Education website. For more information, including a schedule of events, visit the UWF Department of Computer Science website.