Website coding & development
Website Coding & Development challenges members to design and build a website based on a specific topic, with a primary focus on backend coding and functionality. Members present their completed site to a panel of judges, showcasing their technical skills, problem-solving, and understanding of web development principles.
Event Overview
Division: High School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Pre-judged and Presentation on the state level
Event Elements: Pre-judged and Presentation with a Topic on the state level
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up, 7-minute presentation time, 3-minute question & answer time
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Digital Technology
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Technology
Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code, Technology and presentation items
Items Provided by FBLA: Internet access, table
2025-2026 Topic
School Lost-and-Found Website
Design and code a fully functional lost-and-found website for your school community. The site should help students and staff report found items, search for lost belongings, and manage the claim process efficiently.
Your website must include:
· A home page with a clear layout and navigation menu
· A submission form for reporting found items, including the ability to upload photos
· A searchable listing of all found items
· A claim/inquiry form for students to request information about or claim a listed item
· A basic backend system or admin view to review, approve, or manage item postings
Focus on clean design, functionality, and user experience. You must code the website from scratch using code of your choice. Use of databases or other backend tools is encouraged to enhance functionality.
Note: Website does not have to be live. If partnering with your school, permission must be received from the school to make the website public.
This topic was created in partnership with code.org. Learn more about code.org, resources available, and expanding computer science in your school or district at this link.
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
· Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
· If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule. The decision is solely up to the judges.
· Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.
Event Administration
· This event has two phases: Pre-judged entry and final presentation
· Preliminary round: Pre-judged entry
o The focus of the event is based on the coding of the website
o Website must address the topic as described
o Entries will be judged according to the rating sheet
o Templates are not allowed
· Final Round: Presentation
o Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up period.
o Internet Access: Provided (Internet access may not be Wi-Fi, so competitors should plan appropriately when selecting devices on which to present. Please note that internet reliability at any conference venue cannot be guaranteed. Always have a backup plan in case internet connections go down.)
o Based on the results of the preliminary competition (pre-judged), the highest pre-judged project scores, a maximum of five individuals or teams, will move to the final presentation round at the State Leadership Conference. The individuals or teams selected will be notified prior to the State Leadership Conference…only those five will participate in the final round of competition. Not making it to the final round will not allow for registration refund.
o The presentation is judged at the SLC. Presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o Technology
· Presentations must be delivered using no more than three personal devices (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
· Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not bring their own.
· Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
· External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting device(s).
· Electricity will not be available.
o Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may be used.
o Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
o No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
o Restricted Items: Animals (except authorized service animals), Food (for display only; may not be consumed by judges during the presentation), Links and QR codes (for display only; cannot be clicked or scanned by judges before, during, or after the presentation)
o Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
o Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly documented.
o If performing as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the presentation.
o Event Specific Information: Competitors should incorporate the following aspects in response to the topic
· Code Structure: Use clean, well-organized code with consistent spacing and formatting for readability and maintainability.
· Website Usability & Accessibility: Design a website that is easy to navigate and intuitive for all users. Include accessibility features to support inclusive design.
· Design Choices: Use fonts, colors, and layout choices that support readability and enhance the user experience. Design should be consistent across all pages.
· Graphics Integration: Include graphics that are purposeful, well-placed, and enhance the overall look, feel, and clarity of the site.
· Website Content: Present clear, well-written content that allows any user to understand the topic. Ensure all text is free from grammar and spelling errors. Support information with credible, professional sources.
· Technical Skill & Functionality: Show advanced coding ability with functional, interactive elements that run without errors. The site should be responsive and fully functional across devices (i.e. desktop, tablet, mobile).
· Consistency & Interactivity: Make sure all pages follow a consistent structure and style. Interactive features should work smoothly and enhance the user experience.
· Source Code & Documentation Requirements: Competitors must be prepared to show judges relevant materials that support their project. This may include original source code, documentation of any copyrighted material, and a list of sources used. The use of website templates is not permitted.
Scoring
· The pre-judged scores will determine the finalists.
· The final presentation score will determine the winners.
· Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
National
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/