James A. Garfield Middle School proudly participated in the 2024 Bebras® Computing Challenge, with 120 seventh and eighth graders competing in the Cadets division. This global competition is designed to spark interest in informatics and computational thinking, encouraging students to explore their talents and passions through a variety of engaging tasks.
Computational thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts, recognizing patterns, and developing step-by-step solutions. Examples of these skills include organizing data logically, identifying trends, and creating algorithms to solve challenges—essential abilities in today’s technology-driven world.
The highlight of the competition was the outstanding performance of several students, including eighth-grade individuals Logan Neiheisel and Brooke Prinkey, who scored an impressive 152 points. Their achievement placed them in the 95th percentile of all participants, earning an almost perfect score.
Other top performers included:
7th Grade Individual: Cooper Dalton with a score of 96.
8th Grade Doubles: Rylan May and Caleb Whelchel with a score of 144.
7th Grade Doubles: Hailey Masters and Emilia Maynard with a score of 132.
Mixed Doubles: Marc Grubb and Mathias Dahlan with a score of 96.
In recognition of their efforts, all participants received JAGcoins, the school’s incentive currency, for their involvement in the competition. The top prize of 150 coins was awarded to Logan Neiheisel and Brooke Prinkey for their exceptional achievement.
The Bebras Computing Challenge, held in over 30 countries, offers students 45 minutes to solve a series of tasks that test their logical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Participants in the Cadets division, for students aged 12 to 14, worked through three sets of five tasks, each progressively more difficult. The challenge is free to enter, requires no prior preparation, and is designed to be both accessible and exciting for students of all skill levels.
James A. Garfield Middle School’s participation reflects the school’s dedication to fostering critical thinking and encouraging a passion for technology. The exceptional performance of these students demonstrates their growing expertise and enthusiasm for computational thinking and problem-solving. It's a great time to be a G-Man.
For more information about the Bebras Challenge, click here!
Go G-Men!