EBiz Progamming Challenge

The eBiz Programming Challenge is a business oriented regional high school computer programming contest that started in the mid 1980s and is held each year in Omaha, NE.

The contest runs from October through early March with a problem to be solved by teams made up of 4-5 students.  The problems have a business flavor to them.  Milestones are submitted every 4-6 weeks and all team members play a role in the contest.  The contest emphasizes design, documentation, flexibility, communication, and project management.  There are two levels, an Intermediate level for first year H.S. programming students and an Advanced Level with more challenging problems.  Advanced programs must rite using a three tier logical design of presentation, application, and relational database.  Many teams use a combination of HTTP servers, PHP and/or Java Servers, and a relational DB like MySQL or DB2.  Schools are welcome to use any computer platform or tool they like to allow as many students to compete as possible.  However, tools that receive direct technical support are limited to a smaller list.

The contest provides support through a web forum staffed by experienced programmers.  IBM has donated computer systems and makes software available at no charge to ensure cost is not a reason why schools cannot participate.  Teams work remotely through February when a beta code drop is submitted.  The top four teams in each division are invited to a day long competition in early March.  During this time teams are given a last minute problem change, must do a technical and more business/marketing presentation, meet and listen to speakers in the IT world, and enjoy food and prizes from the contest.  In the past the contest has awarded cash prizes to schools up to $500 for the improvement in computer science teaching and can be used for hardware, software, training, books, etc. Students also receive medals and schools receive trophies as finalist awards.  Schools continue to tell us this contest is unique in focus and structure vs. all other contests in the Midwest.

This contest has made a major impact in the quality of instruction during the past 15 years and has led the change towards web based programming in addition to the use of relational database technology.  Students have written back how the contest gave them outstanding preparation to study computer science and related fields in college.

If you are a high school teacher or administrator and wish to participate in the contest, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!