| Date: | Saturday, February 14, 2009 |
| Time: | check-in starts at 9:30am |
| Where: | 3rd floor of Abilene Christian University's Mabee Business Building |
| Directors: |
Ray Pettit Haley Dilling |
| Judges: |
Dwayne Towell Brent Reeves |
| Format: | 1 computer, 3 programmers, 8 problems, 3 hours, and 3 lifelines. |
| Prizes: | TBA |
| Cost: |
$20 / team if registered by January 31, 2009 (includes lunch, t-shirt, and entry into the programming contest) $30 / team if registered after January 31, 2009 (include lunch and entry into the programming contest, but no t-shirt) |
| Languages: | C, C++, Java |
| Compilers: |
MinGW 5.1.2 GNU gcc/g++ Java SE Development Kit 5 |
The ACU Lifeline Programming Challenge was inspired by the ACM International Programming Contest and the ACU Lifeline Programming Contest, but is aimed at high school students rather than college students. The challenge is similar to the ACM contest--teams of three, solving problems with Java, C++ or C. However there is one huge difference: instead of five hours of seclusion, the ACU Lifeline Programming Challenge injects a little spice and allows each programming team to invoke lifelines (a timeout with a coach or mentor). This session lets the team confer with the coach for a few minutes to get their bearings and get unstuck. Coaches will have a whiteboard and a few minutes to brain-storm, diagram, critique, and focus their team.
To register for the limited spaces available, please contact Haley Dilling or complete and submit this form as soon as possible to reserve your spot now.
Two reasons.
First: We have observed that many teams become frustrated toward the end of the contest period, and yet were quite motivated to engage algorithms where the rubber meets the chip. So, we capitalize on the intensity and motivation of the participants to turn it into a teachable moment; we want to allow coaches a few minutes to get their team back on track.
Second: Lifelines relieve some of the intimidation of the usual no-holds-barred, all-out, get-it-done contest. The Challenge provides a coached introduction with all the same pressures (time pressures, awards, and bragging rights), but allows support and encouragement right when it is needed most.
Rules are subject to change. Check back for final details.
Full details and rules will be provided soon, but here are the important points.
Times are subject to change, but our plan is to be on schedule if at all possible.
| 9:00am - 9:30am | Check-in |
| 9:30am - 10:00am | Rules and instructions |
| 10:00am - 11:00am | Practice contest |
| 11:00am - Noon | Super-Colossal Amazing Campus Tour Extravaganza, Free Stuff and Lunch |
| 12:30pm - 3:30pm | Contest |
| 12:30pm - 1:30pm |
No lifelines allowed Coach pre-brief and problem discussion |
| 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Lifelines allowed |
| 3:45pm - 4:15pm | Group and individual teamwork debrief |
| 4:30pm - 5:00pm |
Problem discussion Awards and prizes |
2009 Programming Challenge Results
2008 Programming Challenge Results