UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge

Freemen’s students took part in the UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge this term, a competition held in over 50 countries worldwide, with 305,000 students taking part throughout the UK this year.

Designed to get students excited about computer science, the BCTC is a problem-solving competition with a focus on computational and logical thinking. 

Computational thinking involves using a set of problem-solving skills and techniques that software engineers use to write programs and apps. Examples of these techniques would include the ability to break down complex tasks into simpler components, algorithm design, pattern recognition, pattern generalisation and abstraction.

Questions are inspired by topics in computer science but only require some basic reasoning ability. Students had to answer up to 15 questions in a 40-minute time period. The questions have varying degrees of difficulty and the points awarded reflect this.

Freemen’s students have taken part in this competition for the first-time year, encouraged by Mr James and Mr Sharman. 260 students studying computer science from across Upper 3 to Upper 6 took part in the competition. 

Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to our ‘Best In School’ winners:

• Hanna (Upper 3) - Juniors Group
• Dean and Pip (Upper 4) - Intermediates Group
• Daniel (Upper 5) - Seniors Group
• George (Lower 6 ) Elite Group

Well done to Samuel (Upper 4), Ferdinand and Oscar (Upper 5) who also received an honourable mention.

We are delighted that 65 students from Freemen's were in the top 10% nationally in their respective age groups and also received a Gold Award Certificate. 

All gold awarded students will be invited to compete in the second round of the competition in February next year, wishing you all the best of luck!