Now in its fourth year, Imagine Cup Junior is an exciting opportunity for students aged 13-18 years old to learn about technology and how it can be used to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges while participating in a global student challenge. It’s a great introduction to technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cybersecurity, and is suitable for all levels, especially beginners.
The Imagine Cup is full of opportunities to gain new skills, access exclusive training, unlock mentorship opportunities, and have a chance to win great prizes and make a difference in the world. The Imagine Cup is full of opportunities to further gain new skills, develop your existing skill set, receive mentorship, and collaborate with students who are just as passionate as you about making a difference in the world.
Participation in Imagine Cup Junior for students is via a Team Leader (educator, instructor, parent, or guardian – over the age of 18). Team Leaders register on behalf of students and gain access to the Imagine Cup Junior resource pack outlined below to facilitate learning and the challenge. Students work in teams of one (1) to six (6) to develop an original concept addressing Microsoft’s AI for Good Initiatives and complete the Imagine Cup Junior PowerPoint submission template.
At Microsoft, their mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. They believe that students today will be the changemakers of tomorrow, so they need to empower them with the tools, resources, and opportunities to learn new skills and prepare for the future workforce.
Applicants can draw inspiration from the 10 global winners for 2022 who came up with incredible concepts to address Microsoft’s AI for Good initiatives. Use your imagination and passion to create a technology solution. Create something that matters and develop your skills at the same time with resources from Microsoft.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
Once registered for Imagine Cup Junior, Team Leaders can access all the materials needed to educate students and run a great Imagine Cup Junior challenge. These resources include:
- Beginners Kit – six (6) 45-minute lesson modules. New this year are additional AI lessons in Minecraft: Education Edition as well as an option for students to create a prototype of their concept using Microsoft Azure for Students
- Deep Learning Modules – 6 sets of in-depth content
- Team Leader Toolkit – get students excited about participating in Imagine Cup Junior with participation resources including social media templates, certificates, posters, and t-shirt templates
- Submission Template
- Judging Criteria and Rubric
- Rules and Regulations
- Team Leaders can also access hackathon materials to run a hackathon in their classroom to help further understand best practices for running Imagine Cup Junior and facilitate additional learning for students.
Eligibilities
- Global competition for students aged 16+
- You’re welcome to imagine any solution that you’re passionate about, but must include a Microsoft Azure component and take into consideration diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- Maximum four (4) members per team
- If you are a student at a university, community college, vocational or trade school, or high school, you are eligible to participate in Microsoft Imagine Cup.
- All students at accredited schools in countries around the world are eligible.
- Teams can consist of members from multiple countries and/or universities, but the team can only represent one country in the competition.
- If you are a resident of an eligible country, you can compete representing that country even if your citizenship is elsewhere.
- Teams may change their name and add or update team members, but they would have to do this before the submission deadline.
Application Process
- A team must be created prior to or during project submission.
- You and your team will make an original technology project from start to finish—come up with a great idea, plan, build your project, and submit it!
- Imagine Cup teams are made of up to four eligible students.
- You can create a team from your Account page. If a friend creates a team, they can invite you and a notification will show up in your account.
For the submission to qualify for the 2023 Imagine Cup Junior, each application must comply with the challenge rules and regulations.
Application Deadline: May 10, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
