UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge 2020

The Bebras Computing Challenge introduces computational thinking to students and takes place in over 40 countries.

There are 6 categories for ages 6 through to 18. Students sit a 40 minute online session with up to 18 questions at escalating levels of difficulty. Questions are based on logical reasoning, visualisation, algorithmic thinking, backtracking, pattern recognition and other disciplines that have applications within Computer Science.

The University of Oxford is, in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the National Organising Body of the UK Bebras Challenge.  The University’s support for the UK section of this International competition includes hosting events for the top achieving students.

Intermediate Challenge (Age 12 – 14)

This year all Third Form pupils entered the competition during their Computing lessons. It was also possible for our ‘remote‘ pupils to participate, due to allowances made by the organisers for the pandemic. There were just over 123,000 pupils competing in this category in the UK.

At Shrewsbury 32 pupils achieved a Distinction award and of those 17 were in the top 10% nationally – Gold Awards. Lincoln Luk was best in school. 30 Pupils achieved a Merit for their performance.

A selection of Gold winners with their certificates.

Senior Challenge (Age 14 – 16)

Fifteen pupils from the Fifth Form Computer Science GCSE set entered the Senior category of the competition. There were just over 23,000 pupils in this category in the UK.

At Shrewsbury 5 pupils achieved a Distinction award all of whom were also awarded Gold certificates. Harry Marshall was best in school. 4 Pupils achieved a Merit for their performance.

The Senior Gold winners with their certificates.