Everything that the world may become "someday" lies in the hands of young people today. As they look at the road ahead, their close relationship with technology enables them to dream in ways we never have before. Put the two together, and you have young minds holding the tools that can make their vision a reality.
This is the recipe that inspired Microsoft to create the Imagine Cup. What begins with a burst of inspiration and a lot of hard work can become a future software breakthrough, a future career, or a flourishing new industry. The Imagine Cup encourages young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world – today. Now in its sixth year, the Imagine Cup has grown to be a truly global competition focused on finding solutions to real world issues.
Open to students around the world, the Imagine Cup is a serious challenge that draws serious talent, and the competition is intense. The contest spans a year, beginning with local, regional and online contests whose winners go on to attend the global finals held in a different location every year. Students compete in various categories, known as invitationals, that include Software Design, Embedded Development, Game Development, Short Film, Photography, Interface Design, Information Technology (IT), Algorithm, and Project Hoshimi Programming Battle. Special award challenges are also offered in 2008, which enable students to focus on developing skills in a specific technology: The Software Design Windows Live Award, the Software Design Interoperability Award, and the Interface Design Accessible Technology Award.
The intensity of the work brings students together, and motivates the competitors to give it their all. The bonds formed here often last well beyond the competition itself.
Visit the Imagine Cup Realizing Potential site on Microsoft.com
The 2008 World Finals: Paris!
Each year the World Finals are held in a different city. Past World Finals cities include Seoul, South Korea (2007); Delhi, India (2006); Yokokama, Japan (2005); Sao Paulo, Brazil (2004); and Barcelona, Spain (2003).The 2008 World Finals will be held in Paris France from July 3-8, 2008. The full list of World Finalists will be announced on the Imagine Cup Web site in late May, 2008.
Check out what’s in store: Watch our Imagine Cup 2008 World Finals Preview video!
The 2008 Theme: The Environment
Each year the Imagine Cup chooses its theme from the UN Millennium goals: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
This year, Microsoft is calling on young programmers, artists and technologists around the world to "Imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment." We're challenging students to bring their ideas to life in a multifaceted competition that comprises nine categories, each catering to a different technological or artistic affinity. Students' work will reflect valuable, real world solutions, while giving them the opportunity to compete for cash prizes. When coupled with the power of technology the potential of young people is unlimited and the ideas they develop for the Imagine Cup could significantly improve the lives of millions of people around the world. In this competition, everyone wins. Each of us has a unique skill to contribute. Together we can make a difference and have fun during the journey.
Every day our planet is changing and there are signs of need that we must address. Polar bears are drowning. Glaciers are melting. Forests are being cut down. At the same time, there are good signs: people and businesses are recycling more, and learning how to reduce their carbon footprints. Scientists are researching renewable energy such as wind and solar power, and cities are taking steps to improve air and water quality. Artists are informing and inspiring us about what's at stake if we fail to act. The world needs solutions, and the good news is that everyone can help.
Competition Categories
Below is an overview of the 2008 Competition invitationals.
Software Design
In the software design competition, students create real world, dynamic and powerful software solutions using Microsoft tools and technology. Competitors are asked to demonstrate innovation on the Microsoft .NET Framework and Microsoft Windows platform as they conceive, test, and build applications that can change the world for the better. This competition is the only one that is run locally, not online. Countries and regions who participate select their own team to advance to the worldwide finals in Paris in July 2008.
Visit the Software Design competition page to learn more.
Software Design Windows Live Award
The Windows Live Award is designed to recognize the software design solution that makes the best use of the Windows Live platform. The Windows Live platform can enhance your solutions by enabling you to add rich media, communications, community, and mapping to your Web-based applications. Should you accept the challenge, your team will benefit from not only the masses of data accessible via Windows Live Services but also the reach of the Windows Live network with approximately 400 million active users. The deadline for online submissions is May 15, 2008.
Visit the Software Design Windows Live Award page for details.
Software Design Interoperability Award
This exciting award is designed to recognize the software solution that best leverages out-of-the-box Microsoft technologies and blends them with other technologies to connect people, data, or diverse systems in an innovative way. The experience they gain by participating in this challenge will help competitors build important technical skills that are highly valued in the job market. This Award is not run locally. The deadline for online submissions is May 15, 2008.
Visit the Software Design Interoperability Award page for details.
Embedded Development
Devices are becoming smaller, more portable and are having a greater impact on our everyday lives. Formerly the Windows Embedded Student ChallengE, this competition challenges students to go beyond the desktop, challenge your creativity, and to build a complete hardware and software solution using Windows CE and the hardware provided. A team of three-four competitors, and a faculty mentor will build a working prototype of a device that will have an impact on solving some of our world’s toughest problems.
Visit the Embedded Development competition page to learn more.
Game Development
As video games are becoming a major part of mainstream entertainment the opportunity to do something socially responsible with the medium has arrived. This year's "Xbox 360 Games for Change Challenge" will represent the first time a game development category has been available during the Imagine Cup. This year's challenge will be the ultimate test of a student's creative and technical skills as they create a game that is not only entertaining but has a social message about creating a sustainable environment. Utilizing Microsoft's ground breaking new XNA Game Studio Express, competing students from around the world will have the chance to gain international exposure for their games. Not only will cash prizes be awarded, these winners will then have an opportunity to come to Microsoft and present their entry to the Microsoft games management team for possible inclusion as a download in the popular Xbox LIVE Arcade service or MSN Games Web site. The first place team, or individual, will also win the opportunity to become an apprentice at Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business as part of its internship program. We're announcing the winner next spring 2008 at the worldwide finals in Paris, France. Game Development is a game contest briefed by Games for Change and XNA Technology team.
Visit the Game Development competition page to learn more.
Project Hoshimi
Comic-style graphics bring to life the world of Professor Hoshimi and his faithful crew of scientists and programmers as they engage in a fantasy battle of life and death. Programmers are faced with very real challenges, and compete directly online with people across the world to see who can create the fastest program to save the day. The game requires coding skills and algorithmic ability to devise and implement strategy for a multi-player head-to-head game. The results play out in a real-time 3-D environment for all to see.
Visit the Project Hoshimi competition page to learn more.
IT Challenge
Students are challenged to develop, deploy, and maintain IT systems that are efficient, functional, robust and secure. Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in the science of networks, databases, and servers, and the areas of analysis and decision making in IT environments.
Visit the IT Challenge competition page to learn more.
Algorithm
Through a series of brain teasers, coding challenges, and algorithmic puzzles, students discover and implement the right algorithms, attempting feats like decoding the human genome and routing millions of packets across networks.
Visit the Algorithm competition page to learn more.
Short Film
This invitational highlights the art and science of telling a story. Students are challenged to share a perspective on the Imagine Cup theme and to express themselves in the digital media. From concept and storyboard to footage and editing, the participants must be able to create a film that moves the audience while conveying its strong purpose and meaning.
Visit the Short Film competition page to learn more.
Interface Design
Creativity and usability are the necessary ingredients to create a well-designed user interface, one that contributes to a successful piece of software or Web application. This invitational challenges designers all over the world to create functional, compelling, forward-thinking user interfaces. Competitors have a unique opportunity to envision an application, connect it to the theme of the Imagine Cup, and show the world how their skills bring it to life.
Visit the Interface Design competition page to learn more.
Interface Design Accessible Technology Award
The Accessible Technology Award is is designed to recognize the user interface solution that best leverages the capabilities of Microsoft products and blends them with other technologies to connect people, data, or diverse systems in a new way. This Award is open to any Interface Design team, regardless of whether they advanced to Round 2 or submitted a Round 1 entry. The due date for online submissions is May 2, 2008.
Visit the Interface Design Accessible Technology Award page for details.