High School Projects

The University of Cincinnati School of Information Technology is accepting project proposals for the IT Expo High School Competition. The competition will be held on April 11, 2023. The competition will last one hour and teams are encouraged to attend the whole event.

I. Create Your Team

• Teams may include high school students from 9th grade to 12th grade.
• Each team can include up to 5 students.
• Each team must have one teacher advisor.

II. Identify a Problem in the Community

• Your team project should explore a real-world issue in the community and how technology could make it easier or better.

III. Use Technology to Solve the Problem

• Projects should utilize technology and be relevant to the following IT topics: Web and Software Application Development, Networking/Systems, Cybersecurity, Game Development and Simulation or Data Technologies.

IV. Showcase Your Project at IT Expo

• You and your team show off your final project during the high school competition at the annual IT Expo on April 11th, 2023!

Submissions of any projects that are relevant to the following IT majors are welcome:

I. Web and Software Application Development - Create a web presence for your school, an organization or a local business using web or mobile applications.

Project evaluations in the Web and Software Programming area will be based on functionality, usability, and interface design. The website or app can be an ongoing project or proof of concept. Due to the time restraints, it is not necessary for the website/app to already be hosted or deployed nor have created an impact.

Example projects include:

• High School Competition: Walnut Direct
• Senior Design: The World's National Parks

II. Networking and CyberSecurity - Adopt and implement, develop, or promote one or multiple Networking technologies.

Project evaluations in the Networking and Cybersecurity area will be based on technical novelty and potential impact on cyber education and technology adoption at high schools.

Example projects include:

• High School Competition: Self-Sustaining Weather Station
• Senior Design: Soc-in-a-Box

III. Game Development and Simulation - Design, develop and implement a next generation game or simulation using a computer-based system. 

Project evaluations in the Game Development and Simulation area will be based on functionality, usability, and interface design. The game or simulation can be an ongoing project or proof of concept. Due to the time restraints, it is not necessary for the game or simulation to already be hosted or deployed nor have created an impact.

Example projects include:

• High School Competition: Hockey Simulator

IV. Data Technologies- Design a project using data visualization and tell the story on what the data says.

Example projects include:

• Senior Design: No One Left Behind

For more ideas, view past IT Expo projects on our virtual event website.

Complete and submit the project proposal form. We will notify you if the project proposal has been accepted for the high school competition and include next steps.

Winning team members will receive a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati School of Information Technology. Recognition awards will also be awarded to the teams and schools who participate in the high school competition.