The nationwide largest online school competition “Informatik-Biber” was able to look forward to many participants this year. More than 380.000 Pupils faced the tasks of the competition. Only in the year 2019 were with 380. 737 Participants more children and young people. The number of participating schools has also increased between 737 and 2020 barely changed. In both years this was around 2300.

Active despite the pandemic The organizers of the competition were delighted with the lively participation this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic and classes, cohorts and schools, some of which are in quarantine, took place under difficult conditions. The organizers declared that the good results are “thanks in particular to the great commitment of the teachers”, who have been looking after the IT beaver in their schools for years.

A teacher from Bad Reichenhall praised the competition, which she also rated as a welcome change in computer science lessons: “The tasks also show how much logical thinking and computer science can be found in everyday situations. ”

The competition is aimed at pupils from the third grade up to the Abitur classes and takes place annually in November. The children and young people should get to know and learn digital thinking with everyday questions This year, for example, participants should investigate the question of where shops have to be built in order to optimally supply a rural community. Another question was: “Which explorer can make it to the treasury?” among other things is in every smartphone processor.

Fördergemeinschaft The The competition is under the patronage of the Federal President and the Informatik-Biber is organized by Nationwide Info rmatic competitions (BWINF), which are in the work area of ​​the Gesellschaft für Informatik eV (GI). BWINF is also sponsored by the Fraunhofer IUK Technology Group and the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science. BWINF is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

In addition to the Informatik-Biber, BWINF also organizes the national informatics competition and the informatics youth competition and is also responsible for the selection and participation of the German team in the International Informatics Olympiad (IOI) responsible.

Schnupper-Biber Those who are curious can already solve the IT beaver’s test exercises in September. They can be found under the keyword “Schnupper-Biber”. The results of the competition are usually published in December, certificates and prizes are sent out in January Be part of the IT beaver. These include, for example, open all-day schools, school day care and coding groups. A coordinating teacher is a prerequisite for participation, even by an interested child in an institution.

( kbe)