mS exploring coding & Programming
Exploring Coding & Programming allows members to develop a program based on a given topic and showcase their coding skills. Members present and demonstrate their completed program to a panel of judges, highlighting functionality, design, and problem-solving.
Event Overview
Division: Middle School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Pre-judged only on the state level
Event Elements: Pre-judged
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, Technology
2025-2026 Topic
Game On: Time Travel Challenge
Use your coding skills to create a fun and interactive game that takes players on a time-travel adventure through an exciting decade in history. Players will explore real events, meet important historical figures, and complete challenges to make it through the decade.
Your game should include:
· A version that works on computers or tablets (PC, Mac, or touchscreen device)
· Accurate facts about the time period, including dates, events, and people
· Player controls that use the keyboard, mouse, or touch screen
· At least two levels, a scoring system, and clear ways to win or lose
Imagine blending your favorite video game with a history quest.
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 Leader 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 school 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 at 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 (Annual Activities, Community Service Project).
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
· All members of a team must be from the same school.
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 is pre-judged only on the state level.
· Pre-judged program
o Competitors may use a programming language of their choice.
o Solution must run standalone with no programming errors.
o Data must be free of viruses/malware.
o Competitors must provide comprehensive documentation including a readme file, source code, templates/libraries used, and documentation of any copyrighted or open-source material used.
o 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, including any site that requires someone to sign up for an account (Roblox, for example). You must provide a link to your project and directions on how to open and run the code. It can not be password protected. Your completed project must be uploaded and locked by the date specified in the State Leadership Conference Registration Packet. You cannot make any changes to the project after the deadline. You will submit the link to your project through the Statement of Assurance form as specified in the State Leadership Conference registration packet.
o Competitors are responsible for ensuring the usability and functionality of their project.
o Any photographs, texts, trademarks, or names used must be supported by proper documentation and approvals indicated on the project.
o The program must contain the following, at a minimum:
o Must be graphical in nature, not text based.
o An initial title page with the game title, user interface control instructions, and active buttons for Play and Quit.
o A quit command programmed to the escape key.
o The game must be compatible with a Windows 10 or newer operating system.
o Game must be free of viruses/malware. Any entry with contaminated data will not be judged.
o Program produced must be prepared by the participant(s) without help.
Scoring
· The pre-judged scores will determine the winners.
· Judges must break ties. All judging decisions are final. Results announced at the National Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the National 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 National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/