How an International Computing Olympiad participant gears up for the competition

The International Computing Olympiad (ICO) is more than just a coding contest. It is a global movement where innovators tackle real-world problems through computational thinking and creativity. Preparing for the ICO requires a blend of understanding technology, strategic planning, and a passion for problem-solving. The competition’s central theme is climate action, which is one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals adopted by member states in 2015. An ICO participant must align with the theme and prepare for the competition by using a structured approach. Here’s a fresh, authentic guide to help you prepare effectively.

Understand the ICO Structure and Theme

The ICO, hosted by Qubits Learning, is designed for school students to showcase their coding skills through projects addressing global climate issues. The 2025 theme, centred on the 3As—Awareness, Analysis, and Action—encourages participants to create solutions for climate challenges.

There are four tracks for the competition. Students can prepare for their track by forming a team guided by a mentor. They should collaborate, work on their track’s problem statement, and come up with a solution. All details regarding the competition, from registration to submission and prizes, are elaborately described on the ICO website, www.computingolympiad.org. 

By registering, each team can access the Qubits LMS, where students can prepare, practise and gear up for the ICO using preparatory courses.

The ICO emphasises computational thinking, algorithm design, and creative coding. Projects are judged on interactivity, logic, programming concepts, climate awareness, and creativity. Understanding the judging criteria—clarity of presentation, usability, and alignment with the climate theme—helps tailor your project to meet expectations.

Build a Strong Team and Mentor Relationship

Collaboration is key in the ICO. Whether you are competing individually or in a team, selecting the right teammates and mentor is critical. Choose peers who complement your skills—perhaps one excels in coding, another in design, and another in research. You can make sure to reach out to a mentor with coding or project management experience and establish regular meetings and updates to form a team strategy.

As a team, brainstorm project ideas that align with the climate action theme. For instance, you could develop an app to track carbon footprints or a data visualisation tool for climate trends. Use the ICO’s focus on Awareness, Analysis, and Action to structure your project: raise awareness about a climate issue, analyse relevant data, and propose actionable solutions. Early alignment on a shared vision prevents last-minute chaos at the time of submission.

Master the Technical Skills

The ICO allows specific programming languages and tools listed on its official platform. Once you register, you can access training materials in Qubits LMS and take advantage of the preparatory courses. You should also use free resources that are available online to practice for coding challenges.

Focus on algorithms related to climate data, as these will improve your project’s analysis.Thoroughly test your code to ensure usability and performance, as the ICO evaluates these aspects.Create a sandbox environment to simulate real-world scenarios so your project runs smoothly. This setup allows you to experiment with different variables and configurations without risking the integrity of your primary system. By replicating real-life conditions, you can identify potential issues, refine functionality, and ensure that everything runs smoothly before the final deployment.

Craft an Efficient Presentation

Your project’s success relies on how well you communicate its value. The PowerPoint and video submissions must clearly explain your project’s objectives, process, and outcomes. Keep the presentation concise and use visuals like charts or screenshots to illustrate your solution.

Practice storytelling: Start with the problem (e.g., rising sea levels), explain your solution, and emphasise its real-world potential. Rehearse your video script to sound natural, and use tools (e.g., Canva™) for professional polish. The ICO website underscores clarity and organization, so seek feedback from your mentor to refine both deliverables.

Leverage Resources and Stay Organized

After registration, the ICO provides access to free preparatory resources on the Qubits LMS. To enrich your project, complement these with external resources like climate data or datasets. Join online coding communities, to troubleshoot issues and learn from peers.

Time management is crucial. Create a timeline and allocate days for ideation and research,coding and testing, and presentation preparation. Regular team meetings facilitated by team huddle tools keep everyone on track. The ICO website advises checking the competition platform and emails for updates, so stay vigilant to avoid missing deadlines.

Test, Refine, and Submit

Before submission, test your project thoroughly. Simulate user interactions to ensure usability and debug any errors. Verify that all files meet the ICO’s format requirements. Double-check your presentation and video for clarity and adherence. Submit early to avoid technical glitches, and contact the ICO support team at connect@computingolympiad.org for any clarification.

Embrace the Experience

The ICO is not just about winning the prize. It’s about growing as a responsible coder and climate advocate. Win or lose, you will gain all the experience, connect with global peers, and create a project to showcase for your higher studies or career opportunities. Reflect on your journey, document your code on Qubits LMS, and share what you have learned with your school community.

By following these steps—understanding the competition, building a team, honing technical skills, crafting a strong presentation, leveraging resources, and testing rigorously—you’ll be well-equipped to shine at the ICO 2025. Visit www.computingolympiad.org to register and start your journey to become a CLIMATE ACTION HERO!