IEEE CS Juniors

The IEEE Computer Society Juniors is a global program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to explore and excel in IEEE Computer Society related disciplines.  The goal of the program is to spark curiosity in computer science build lasting relationships with students, educators, and communities.

The current application cycle is closed. Watch insider and your email for when new proposals will be accepted.

CS Juniors connects K-12 students with interactive STEM experiences, sparking curiosity in computer science through hands-on learning and collaboration. By building a vibrant community of students, educators, volunteers and IEEE members, the program champions the IEEE CS commitment to broadening participation in computing while inspiring the next generation of tech leaders and the Society’s goal of engaging students and early career professionals.

Stay tuned for when the next cycle of applications will open so you can help shape the future of STEM education by creating impactful programs for K-12 students. Open to IEEE members, educators, volunteers, and organizations, this program enables you to collaborate with teachers, fellow IEEE members, and community leaders to design activities that inspire young minds, foster community, and build lasting connections worldwide.

CS Juniors regularly hosts and supports a variety of activities. If you are interested in participating or getting involved, please contact the listed organizers for more information. Check back regularly for upcoming events.

Sustainable Classroom Project

• Location: Kibera, Nairobi
• Dates: Under Development
• Purpose: Enabling students to overcome socioeconomic challenges through meaning educational and employment opportunities and equipping high school students with foundational skills in coding, software development, and data analysis.
• Contacts: Soumya Kashyap; Tracy Atieno

Motivate and Elevate: Advancing Excellence for Pre-University Students Towards Innovation

• Location: Coimbatore, India
• Dates: 13-14 March 2025
• Purpose: Create a well-rounded approach for rural pre-university students to promote quality enhancements focusing on academic, social and personal growth in the digital era with effective innovation skills.
• Contacts: Dr. R. Devi Priya; Ms. S. Sathya

• CS Juniors in Sayama Japan
• IEEE STAR Program Workshops
• IEEE SSIT STEM Workshop in Tonantzintla
• CS Juniors Program 2024 Montevideo
• Cloud Connect 2024 Singapore
• Motivate and Elevate Coimbatore, India
• Byte-A-Dynamo (BAD), Baltimore County, Maryland 3 events
  • STEAM
  • Let’s Code
  • Cryptography

To host and organize a program recognized by CS Juniors, please refer to the following guidelines and contact us.

• CS Juniors Program Event Guidelines

Steering Committee

This guide assists organizers in effectively implementing the IEEE CS Juniors events and activities (hereafter, “event”). It emphasizes creating engaging educational experiences that enhance students’ understanding of computer science and related STEM fields through interactive and collaborative activities.

The event organizer defines and plans the following items comprehensively in advance.

Objective (Why)

By default, the event aims to increase target participants’ awareness and engage targets in computing and other technical areas. Furthermore, the event should be an initiative to build relationships and foster a community involving students, teachers, volunteers, related organizations and entities, and society’s members.

Technical scope (What)

By default, the technical scope of the event is project-based learning of STEM with soft skills.

Target (To whom)

The event’s target participants are pre-college students. The organizer defines the target age, considering local regulations and situations. The lower boundary of events is basically age 12, depending on regulations and guidelines in the target area.

Organizers and supporters (Who):

The organizing committee of the event needs to identify the following:

• Chair/co-chair who is responsible for organizing the event
• Hosting team with 10-20 members who support the event locally
• Collaborators: School, Local Government, Local Volunteers, IEEE/IEEE-CS Regional Chapter
• Mentors
• Speakers
• Supervisors sent from the IEEE CS Juniors Steering Committee

Location, available facility and format (Where)

The organizer defines the location and facility of the event. By default, it is held in person, with limited online support depending on availability.

Event timing and duration (When)

The organizer defines the dates and duration of the event. By default, the duration is two days.

Income and expenditure (How much)

The organizer makes the budget plan. The organizer may receive financial support from the CS Juniors Steering Committee based on necessity and availability.

Program and content (How to)

By default, the organizer plans the program and content as follows. The expected content includes an introductory talk about technologies (such as the Internet and cybersecurity), followed by team-based activities such as team building, discussion on problem-solving, and team presentation.

Example of a project-based event structure (Ref: IEEE Learn Compute Camp and 2023 Event:

1. Introduction: Provide an overview of the event, outlining the main objectives and the day’s agenda. Introduce the facilitators, mentors, and available resources.
2. Goal setting: Clearly define the goals of the project-based workshop. This could involve developing a software application, designing a robot, or solving a specific computational problem. Explain the project’s relevance in real-world contexts and its connection to broader computer science concepts.
3. Problem presentation: Present a central problem or challenge that the project will address. This problem should be engaging and suitable for the age group, encouraging creative thinking and innovation. Examples could include creating an app to solve a local community issue, programming a game with specific constraints, or developing a simple machine-learning model to classify data.
4. Team formation and project planning: Divide participants into groups based on their interests or let them choose their teams to promote collaboration and peer learning. Individual projects can also be an option for those who prefer working alone. Guide students to create a project plan, including milestones, roles, and responsibilities. This plan should outline the project phases, expected outcomes, and the resources needed.
5. Solution development: Participants work on their projects, applying coding skills and other CS-related knowledge to develop solutions to the presented problem. Facilitators and mentors provide support and guidance, ensuring students progress and overcome technical hurdles.
6. Presentation and review: Each team or individual presents their project to the group. This includes demonstrating their solution and discussing the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Encourage constructive feedback from peers, facilitators, and mentors, focusing on what was learned and areas for improvement.
7. Reflection and debrief: Conclude the event with a reflection session where participants can share their experiences and key takeaways. Discuss how the skills learned during the workshop can be applied in other areas of study or future projects.
8. Feedback collection: Gather participant feedback through surveys or interactive feedback tools to evaluate the event’s effectiveness and gather insights for future events.

Possible additional elements:

• Mentorship: Pair each team or individual with a mentor who is an expert in the relevant CS areas. These mentors can guide the participants throughout the project development process.
• Resource availability: Provide access to software tools, online resources, coding platforms, and any necessary hardware for project development.
• Skill workshops: Organize mini-workshops on specific skills needed for the projects, such as using a particular software, basic programming techniques, or debugging methods.

The following table shows an example program taken from the IEEE Learn Compute Camp 2023.

Success criteria

The organizer defines the success criteria of the event and evaluates it after holding the event. By default, the criteria include the following:

• Number of participants
• Participation ratio = #participants / #registrants
• Positive survey ratio = #participants who positively answered the event survey / #participants who responded to the survey

During the event execution, the organizer increases the engagement of participants. Practices and ideas to improve it include the following:

• Interactive Stations: Set up multiple interactive stations within the venue where participants can engage in different hands-on activities—from coding challenges to robotics assembly—and rotate through stations in small groups.
• Live Demonstrations: Conduct live demonstrations of cutting-edge technology by professionals and alums, showcasing practical applications of what students learn in real-world scenarios.
• Safety Protocols: Implement comprehensive safety protocols, especially in lab settings. Provide proper training on equipment use and ensure all activities comply with the latest health and safety guidelines.

Feedback and evaluation

The organizer implements feedback and evaluation mechanisms, such as the following:

• Instant feedback mechanisms: Use instant feedback tools during online and in-person sessions to gauge student engagement and understanding. Tools like real-time polls and digital feedback forms can be practical.
• Detailed surveys: Post-event, distribute detailed surveys to assess the workshop’s impact on students’ interest in STEM and the development of soft skills. Include questions that measure both educational and emotional effects.

Reporting and future planning

Data analysis should be comprehensive and involve both quantitative and qualitative methods to effectively evaluate and improve the event.

Quantitative analysis methods include the following:

• Engagement metrics: Track participation rates, quiz scores, and completion rates of activities. Analyze these metrics to assess student engagement and the effectiveness of different interactive tools.
• Pre- and post-event surveys: Use statistical tools to analyze survey data collected before and after the workshops. Focus on measuring changes in students’ interest in STEM fields and their self-reported confidence in using new technologies or concepts.
• Performance tracking: If applicable, analyze the results of practical tasks or projects to evaluate competency gains. This can include coding exercises, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative projects.

Qualitative analysis methods include the following:

• Feedback forms and open-ended responses: Utilize text analysis tools to categorize and identify common themes in participant feedback. This analysis can highlight students’ most valuable areas or areas needing improvement.
• Focus groups or interviews: Conduct qualitative analysis of discussions from focus groups or interviews with select participants to gain deeper insights into the student experiences and the perceived impact of the workshop on their skills.

The organizer considers the sustainable continuity of the event activities and long-term relationships involving event participants, teachers, volunteers, related organizations, and society members. Such continuity can be established by engaging teachers to continue activities independently, collaborating with teacher associations, and involving local communities.

The organizer and the community implement a continual improvement process, which incorporates practices such as the following:

• Review Meetings: Schedule regular review meetings with the organizing team to discuss the data analysis’s outcomes. Use these discussions to make informed decisions about adjustments to workshop content, format, and delivery methods.
• Integration of Educational Trends: Continuously monitor and integrate new educational technologies and pedagogical strategies that could enhance the learning experience. This includes staying updated with the latest tools in educational technology that can be tested in future sessions.
• Long-Term Tracking: Track participants’ long-term progression, potentially integrating with school systems or educational platforms to monitor continued engagement and success in STEM fields.