Imagine a World Where Technology Enables a Sustainable Environment
That's the challenge we set to a worldwide audience of the best and the brightest technology students last September. We invited them to harness their creativity, technical know-how and most of all, their personal passion in an urgent mission: To use the power of technology to help the planet. Teams were formed, of college classmates and childhood friends. Students met after class and on weekends in Rio, London, Berlin, Paris, Sydney, New York, Moscow, Johannesburg, Beijing, Tokyo, Seattle and too many cities and towns around the globe to name. Each team and each individual student brainstormed how to approach the problem, drawing on their unique skills and experience for inspiration, an idea, and a possible solution.
Throughout this year we've challenged our competitors. Each of our nine competitions has unique requirements, tasks, and missions.
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In the
Software Design category, local Microsoft subsidiaries held their own regional semi-finals, inviting students from across their region to compete to represent their country at the World Finals.
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Embedded Development teams went beyond the desktop, unleashing their creativity by developing their own embedded device that helps to create a sustainable environment.
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In the
Algorithm and
IT challenges, individuals had to complete rigorous tests, take part in online matches, and design solutions to complex environmental problems.
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Teams competed in a virtual 3D environment to save the planet in the
Project Hoshimi Programming Battle.
- For the Short Film, Photography, and Interface Design categories, digital artists created work that informs us about the issues and inspires us to take action.
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And in our first ever
Game Development invitational, student teams harnessed the power of XNA's ground-breaking Game Studio 2.0 to create inspirational and educational video games that teach us what's at stake-- but never fail to entertain us.
From a field of over 200,000 students around the world who started the journey last fall we have narrowed the field to 121 teams. And now we are ready for the final challenge. The finalists will meet in Paris France July 3-8 to compete before a prestigious judging panel of internationally renowned technology and environmental experts. Who will win Imagine Cup 2008?
What's at Stake?
Each invitational offers unique prizes including cash awards and Microsoft internship opportunities. But the Imagine Cup is bigger than the story of who wins first, second, or third place: We believe that when everyone comes together to help solve the planet's most urgent problems, we all win.
Who Are the Finalists?
The finalists have created solutions that will better society and change our daily lives at both a local and global level. Their projects encompass an inspiring and dizzying array of ideas with a common purpose. Projects range from empowering scientists with instant data to motivating citizens with tools that document local issues, from smart home technology to carpooling communities, from disaster recovery systems to recycling incentive systems, from the education of children to the protection of forests, from measuring urban air pollution to tracking species biodiversity. Our finalists have investigated the deepest problems facing our planet and envisioned innovative ways to build a sustainable future. Their creativity demonstrates that technology can be an ally of the planet, instead of an adversary.
What's the Agenda?
The 2008 Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals will be held in Paris France from July 3-8, 2008. For one week in July, the world will turn to Paris to imagine the future of technology.
What can the finalists expect in Paris? Most of all, the competition will be intense. Short Film and Photography competitors will be challenged to create new art under tough deadlines. Software Design, Game development, and Embedded Development teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges and answer detailed technical questions. Interface Design teams will create user interfaces using both software and paper-based media. But there will also be time to unwind—celebrate achievements, collaborate on ideas, make new friends from around the world, and experience the culture and beauty of our host city of Paris.
| Thursday July 3 |
Arrivals / Opening Ceremony |
| Friday July 4 |
Competitions Commence |
| Saturday July 5 |
Competitions Conclude |
| Sunday July 6 |
City of Paris Cultural Day |
| Monday July 7 |
Software Design, Embedded Development and Game Development Finalist Presentations/ Digital Theater |
| Tuesday July 8 |
Students Showcase/World Festival (Awards Ceremony)/Farewell Party |
| Wednesday July 9 |
Departures |
Experience the Finals LIVE as the Week Unfolds
Visit the Imagine Cup Web site from July 3-8 to read our daily blog from the Finals. We'll be bringing you in-depth stories of the teams and their environmental solutions from the Imagine Cup team and Channel 8. Joe Wilson, Director of Academic Initiatives at Microsoft, whose team manages the Imagine Cup will also provide a unique perspective on the experience at the biggest student technology competition in the world.
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