Imagine a World Where Technology Helps Solve the Toughest Problems
The world’s toughest problems will be addressed one solution at a time. In its 10th year, the Microsoft Imagine Cup brings together students from around the world who are stepping up to the challenge of leading global change.
Challenging Student Innovators to Change the World
We know students have the knowledge, the passion, and the drive to make a difference. The
Software Design Competition is all about creating applications and solutions that can help make the world a better place. Using Microsoft tools and technology, competitors unleash their ideas and technical talent to create cutting-edge software applications. Students develop, test, and build their ideas into applications that can help solve some of the world’s toughest problems; such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality, environmental sustainability, and access education and healthcare.
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ROUND
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START DATE
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END DATE
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Round 1 – Software Design Preliminary Summary
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17 October 2011
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13 March 2012
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Round 2 - Local Region and Online Finals
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22 March 2012
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3 May 2012
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Round 3 - Worldwide Finals
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6 July 2012
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10 July 2012
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Entertainment is Power
3-D or 2-D. Multilevel or single player. The structure of the game was entirely up to students to define. But the goal all comes back to one thing: using technology to help solve the world’s toughest problems. The
Game Design: Xbox/Windows Competition gave students the opportunity to learn the art of video game design and enabled them to showcase their talents on the world stage – the first steps toward a career in game development! Changing the world just became a little more fun!
Creativity is Just the Beginning
The
Game Design: Phone Competition gave students the opportunity to learn the art of mobile video game design and enabled them to showcase their talents on the world stage – a perfect chance to start taking steps toward a career in game development...or just having fun!
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ROUND
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START DATE
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END DATE
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Round 1 – Storyboard/Summary Submission
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17 October 2011
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14 February 2012
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Round 2 – Game Submission
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23 February 2012
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13 March 2012
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Round 3 – Worldwide Finals Qualifying
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3 April 2012
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3 May 2012
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Round 4 – Worldwide Finals
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6 July 2012
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10 July 2012
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Students Show off Their Technical Brainpower
Technology is everywhere. The
IT Challenge has connected with students around the world who have the brainpower, interest, and the technical knowledge to design, run, and support enterprise infrastructures while managing diverse customer needs and scenarios. The IT Challenge is putting the world's brightest IT minds to the test!
In the IT Challenge, students have been tasked to develop, deploy, and maintain IT systems that are efficient, functional, robust, and secure. Each competitor has demonstrated proficiency in the science of networks, databases, and servers and an intimate understanding of how it must all fit together, both on-premise and in the cloud.
The IT Challenge does not require a team, it is an individual challenge.
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ROUND
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START DATE
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END DATE
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Round 1 – Qualifying Quiz
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17 October 2011
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26 January 2012
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Round 2 – Case Study
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14 February 2012
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27 March 2012
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Round 3 – Final Challenge –Virtual Hands-On Lab
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9 May 2012
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9 May 2012
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KINECT FUN LABS CHALLENGE
The Kinect Effect
The
Kinect Fun Labs Challenge asked students to think about entertainment with a social conscience and to bring the Imagine Cup into the living room. It has been a unique opportunity for students to develop applications that change the world with the Fun Labs area of Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE. The Imagine Cup Kinect Fun Labs Challenge tested each team’s ability to build a prototype which leverages natural user interface (NUI) features such as skeletal tracking, speech recognition, face recognition, and gestures.
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ROUND
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START DATE
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END DATE
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Round 1 – Concept Design
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19 January 2012
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6 March 2012
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Round 2 – Gadget Submission
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27 March 2012
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29 May 2012
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WINDOWS METRO STYLE APP CHALLENGE
Great Windows 8 Apps from Students
Windows 8 is coming and, with the
Windows Metro Style App Challenge, students have been asked to take the lead in creating applications for this new platform. Apps are the center of the Windows 8 experience and great apps start with great minds. This Challenge has tested students' ability to design and build a Metro style app that takes advantage of Windows 8 features and design principles to deliver an experience that solves one of the world’s toughest problems and wows not only us but those across the globe.
The Windows Metro Style App Challenge has concluded. The top three teams will be announced on 23 May 2012. They will each win a trip to the Worldwide Finals in Sydney, Australia where the first, second, and third place teams will be announced on 10 July 2012.
WINDOWS AZURE CHALLENGE
Building the Future in the Cloud
The
Windows Azure Challenge tasked students with leveraging the Windows Azure platform features to build a web application in the cloud. They contributed to the “next big thing” in the technology industry while helping to make the world a better place.
The Windows Azure Challenge has concluded. The top three teams will be announced on 23 May 2012. They will each win a trip to the Worldwide Finals in Sydney, Australia where the first, second, and third place teams will be announced on 10 July 2012.
Great Windows Phone Apps from Students
The
Windows Phone Challenge encouraged students to create software that can really make a broad impact in the world. Great apps start with strong functionality, add device-focused utility, and finish with an outstanding Windows Phone user experience. Students gained experience with mobile development tools like the
Windows Phone SDK which includes Expression Blend 4 for Windows Phone, Visual Studio Express for Windows Phone Emulator.
The Windows Phone Challenge has concluded. The top three teams will be announced on 23 May 2012. They will each win a trip to the Worldwide Finals in Sydney, Australia where the first, second, and third place teams will be announced on 10 July 2012.
