Introduction to Programming 

Introduction to Programming provides members with the opportunity to code a program based on a specific topic. This competitive event consists of a presentation component where the program is demonstrated for the judges.

Event Overview

Division: High School (9th and 10th grades only)
Event Type: Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Pre-judged only on the state level
Event Elements: Pre-judged on the state level

Career Cluster Framework Connection: Digital Technology
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Technology

2025-2026 Topic

Build a Virtual Pet

Use your programming skills to create a digital pet that users can name, feed, and care for over time. Your pet should respond to how well it is treated, showing emotions, changing appearance or behavior, and developing based on the user’s actions.

To expand your program, include a "cost of care" system to teach users about the financial responsibility of pet ownership. Track things like:

· Food and supply costs

· Vet visits or health care

· Toy or activity purchases

· Budget limits or in-game currency

Your program should include:

· Customization (user names the pet, chooses type, etc.)

· Pet care features (feed, play, rest, clean, health check)

· Reactions based on care level (happy, sick, sad, energetic)

· A running total of care-related expenses

· Optional: savings goals or earning systems (e.g., chores or tasks to earn pet care funds)

Encourage creativity in how the pet grows or changes over time: Could it evolve, learn tricks, or earn badges? Use any programming language or environment that demonstrates your understanding of basic logic, variables, conditionals, and functions.

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).
·         Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, and prepare their program.
·         All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5. 

Event Administration

·         Pre-judged Program (this is the only round of competition for this event on the state level)

§  Data must be free of viruses/malware.  Any entry with contaminated data will not be judged.
§  Solution must run standalone with no programming errors.
§  Program produced must be prepared by the competitor(s) without help.
§  All individuals on a team must be from the same chapter.
§  Competitors are expected follow all applicable copyright laws. 
§  The completed project MUST be uploaded to one of the following cloud based storages:  Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.  You CANNOT host the project on your own server or website.  You must provide a link to your project and directions on how to open and run the code.  It must not be password protected. Your completed project must be uploaded through the conference registration system and locked by the date specified in the State Conference registration packet.  You cannot make any changes after that date.

§  Event Specific Information: Competitors should incorporate the following aspects in response to the topic

· Code Quality & Structure: The program should demonstrate organized, readable code using clear structure and meaningful function names.

· User Experience: The program should be easy to navigate with clear instructions for the user.

· Input Validation: Apply input checks that ensure the data is in the correct format and makes sense.

· Functionality: It should be clear how the program solves the assigned problem and connects to the topic.

· Data & Logic: Use appropriate data structures and logical flow to support program goals.

· Documentation: Include all required documentation and credit any external resources used:

o A readme file that explains how to use the program

o The source code

o A list of any templates or libraries used

o Clear credit for any outside resources

Scoring

·         The pre-judged 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/