May 13, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB Department of Computer and Information Sciences will host two computer programming contests Saturday, May 16, for students in grades three through 12. Hundreds of students and their families are expected to attend the UAB Alice Film Festival competition and UAB High School Computer Programming Contest, which will be held inside Campbell Hall, 1300 University Blvd.

The UAB Alice Film Festival

1-4:45 p.m. Campbell Hall 405

Nearly 200 participating students from across the state, some as young as third grade, and their families will attend the festival contest, which provides an opportunity for students to create video games and animated movies using Alice computer programming software. Students will submit their software creations for judging, and the movies and video games will be shown at the festival before $1,500 in prizes are awarded in six categories.

The UAB High School Computer Programming Contest

12-4:45 p.m. Campbell Hall Rooms 145 & 430

The programming contest brings talented students from high schools throughout Alabama to the UAB campus to participate in an organized competition. Students individually compete to demonstrate their programming skills and problem-solving abilities by attempting to crack six programming problems within a three-hour period. Schools that have more than three contestants are eligible for team awards. Prizes totally $7,000 will be awarded.

About UAB

The Department of Computer and Information Sciences is a part of the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. Its undergraduate program provides a Bachelor of Science degree with the opportunity to minor in another discipline, as well as co-op programs with local industry. CIS also offers programs of study leading to master's and doctoral degrees, as well as an interdisciplinary bioinformatics program. Find more at www.cis.uab.edu.