TALENT SEARCH

Who may participate? The Talent Search as part of the SA Computer Olympiad is open to all full-time learners in South African schools.  It is aimed at high school learners, but primary school learners may participate.  Post-matrics may not enter.  Learners enter through their schools and entry is free.

Requirements: The Talent Search  is an aptitude test to indicate who should consider a career in ICT and who not.  This round does not need the use of computers nor any specific computer skills.  Many schools use this round to guide grade 9 learners with subject choices and grade 12 learners with career choices.  The paper consists of a number of problem-solving tasks and pen-and-paper programming tasks such as writing a program to guide a robot through a maze.

Location:  The Talent Search takes place at schools throughout South Africa on the same date.  An easy to mark schedule is provided and papers are marked at the school.

Although schools that take part in the Talent Search are invited to take part in the Applications and Programming Olympiads, there is no obligation to do so.

Prizes:

• Each participating school gets a free Python CD.  Copies may be made for participating learners
• Certificate to the top participant in each grade in each school
• Certificates to the number 1, 2 and 3 participants in each school
• For selected learners an opportunity to be invited to free Science Camps run by the Department of Science and Technology (by invitation only.)  Selected learners will be nominated for the prestigious Allan Gray Fellowship; a comprehensive fellowship to attend a top university – by invitation only
• An opportunity to take part in the Applications and Programming Rounds