It's time for the ACM 'Rise Above the Monkey' Software Design Competition.
Why are we doing this?
The University of Minnesota ACM student chapter has received feedback from professors and industry that the lack of true software engineers and architects coming out of computer science programs across the country is a significant and growing problem. Employers consistently complain that while new graduates are good coders and understand the underlying hardware systems, the applications they produce are rarely modular or easily maintained and fail to respond well to change. The goal of the 'Rise Above the Monkey' competition is to expose students to real-world software design challenges and to connect them with local businesses who are looking for new hires with the skills to design software well. The idea is that any monkey can code, but it takes someone with engineering acumen to design quality software. By bringing students, faculty, and industry together through the competition, the ACM student chapter hopes to raise awareness of the need for quality design and to form partnerships that will help all three succeed in the future.
How is the competition structured?
Students have one week to work in teams of four creating UI prototypes, database entity relation diagrams, and an overall system architecture for a real world design challenge submitted by local industry. During the week, they will be connected with mentors from companies looking to recruit students with the skills needed to design software well through Forums and mailing lists.
Each team will be asked to give three 15-minute presentations on March 7, 2009. Judging will be based on the clarity of the design ideas, the quality of design documents, the professionalism of the presentation and the responses to follow-up questions. Teams can use any engineering paradigm they choose to represent their design, but they must be able to communicate it effectively to the judging panel.
For more detailed information, check out the competition rules or the Design Challenge judging rubric and requirements document.
What are the benefits of participating?
As a student:
All competitors will receive a competition T-shirt and are invited to join us for a catered dinner on the evening of judging. Every member of the top three teams will receive the following prizes:
- 1st Place - Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Version
- 2nd Place - Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate Edition
- 3rd Place - Xbox 360 Video Game
- Best Use of Microsoft Technology - Copies of both Visual Studio 2008 and Office 2007
As a sponsor or volunteer:
-
Get your company's name in front of students.
All Software Design Competition sponsors will be featured prominently on all promotional material and will be listed on the back of the competition t-shirts in order of sponsorship amount. This is a great way to get your name out to potential recruits. Participants will also be given a packet of promotional material from all participating companies.
-
Connect to potential new recruits.
Sponsors will be given a list of all participants' contact information and copies of the design documents they submit. This gives your recruiting team an opportunity to target students who are passionate about software design. Companies who volunteer employees as mentors and judges will have even more opportunities to identify quality candidates as they interact with students one-on-one.
-
Get involved with the ACM.
The University of Minnesota ACM Student Chapter is an organization of over 60 students in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and other related disciplines. We have lots of resources available to companies looking to set-up information sessions or sponsor other student events. For more information about our chapter, visit http://acm.cs.umn.edu
In addition to fabulous prizes, the competition gives students real taste of software engineering and the opportunity to network with local industry. All competitors will have the option of uploading their resumes along with their sign up forms. Resumes will be distributed to all sponsoring companies.
How do I get Involved?
Students should get their team together and sign up here!
Volunteers are encouraged to review the commitment descriptions and sign up here!
If you have any questions, stop by ACM in EECS 2-204 or contact the Design Competition Committee Chair, Abby Riesterer, at acm.uofm.officers@gmail.com
