BrainAcademy 2007 opens on June 8th and closes on September 14th 2007

BrainAcademy 2007: The Search for Creative Compute-Ability Talent Continues

Welcome to BrainAcademy: the UK-wide computer science talent contest run by Queen Mary, University of London's Department of Computer Science and sponsored by industry leaders Microsoft and ARM. There are not only university places up for grabs, but also tailored opportunities to get your career off to a flying start.

BrainAcademy is a three-stage competition. The first round involves taking part in a web hunt, answering questions related to computer science and IT. You will need problem solving ability as well as good search skills. Get all the questions right and you will gain access to the Creativity challenge. Do you have the skills, imagination and creativity to make it to the final stage? Only the very best will make it to the final interviews.

Computer Science, Creativity and Going Green

For 2007 the focus of the competition will be on Computer Science, Creativity and Going Green. The hunt will take you on a virtual tour through different ways that computer science is about creativity including the creativity needed to make sure the technology of the future helps us protect the environment.

A Computer Science education gives a strong foundation in innovation and enterprise. With its basis in computational thinking skills, the subject provides the training needed to be creative in the 21st century as well as providing a playing field that is open to new ideas: in the virtual world, anything goes. Finding new ways to use technology that reduce our use of resources and turning existing technologies green are both vital areas with a need for innovative Computer Scientists. Computer Science has deep links to many different subjects; from the social sciences to engineering, from maths to the performing arts. Mix them with Computer Science and whole new subjects emerge: from Bioinformatics to Digital Performance all ripe for creative people with the right skills to exploit.

BrainAcademy organizer, Dr Paul Curzon of Queen Mary's Department of Computer Science explains why this year's BrainAcademy is aiming to innovate: "The Computer Science industries urgently need lots of new talent. The jobs are there. So are the opportunities for innovation. The need for a green revolution also presents lots of new challenges. What is needed are people with the creative skills to take up those challenges. BrainAcademy is a fun way both to encourage the most talented students and give them a head start not only with the life-changing opportunity of a university education, but also to push them to the front of the queue for great career options."

The Category for You

There are three categories this year. Which is for you?

Do you already have a degree, whether in computer science or another area? Do you wish to convert your career, combining your existing skills with new or more advanced Computer Science skills, by taking a Computer Science related Master's course? If so BrainAcademy: Postgraduate is for you.

Are you intending starting University in September 2008 studying Computer Science and want a chance to fast track your career? BrainAcademy: Undergraduate is for you.

Are you a younger school student who isn't eligible to start University in 2008? Can you show you have talent for the future? If so BrainAcademy: Next Generation is for you.

See the prizes page for full details of the prizes for all the categories.

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A little BrainAcademy history

BrainAcademy was first launched in 2003. The fun "life-changing-prizes-game-show" caught the imagination - even the government's Cabinet Minister for IT commended it. The competition also won Queen Mary's Drapers prize for teaching and learning. The original web hunt amassed some 80,000 hits. One hundred and twenty made it into the programming challenge and a handful made the grade for the final interview. The first winner, Adam Kramer, from North London is currently entering his second year of study and is one of the top students on the Queen Mary Computer Science Course. Adam, then 17, said his Computer Science knowledge had been primarily self-taught and he was delighted to win: "I wasn't expecting to win the competition, but I'm really pleased to be studying at Queen Mary." Read an interview with Adam in the cs4fn webzine

The 2005 competition was won by Simon Kinsey. From the thousands of entries to the Internet quiz stage more than 370 people made it through to the programming stage. Simon will start his studies on the Advanced Methods in Computer Science MSc at Queen Mary in September 2006, with all his fees paid as a result of his winning entry. He is returning to study having completed his undergraduate degree in 1984 at Westfield College, one of the original founding colleges that became Queen Mary, University of London. His aim is to upgrade his skills, allowing him to move into a Software Development career. Commenting on his win, Simon said: "I am absolutely delighted to be offered this prize. Needless to say, I am very happy to be studying again at Queen Mary - albeit after a minor 20 year break."

In 2006 the prizes went unclaimed: no one was up to the challenge, surviving all three rounds. The search therefore goes on. Do you have the dedication to go all the way? Young or old, male or female: the prizes could be yours for the taking...if you have what it takes.

On your Marks...Get set...Go to the web hunt...

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