Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior (ICJ) is an exciting opportunity for students aged 13-18 years old to learn about technology and how it can be used to solve some of the world's biggest challenges. It's a great introduction to technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cybersecurity, and is suitable for all levels, especially beginners.
We have heard from many educators and education leaders around the world that a more flexible approach to ICJ would help expand the opportunity for all students to learn more about these technologies and increase participation.
To address this request, we have evolved ICJ and launched ICJ In-a-Box as a downloadable resource for you to use to run country-wide, school-wide, or classroom competitions. ICJ In-a-Box includes classroom lessons, educator guidance, rubric, and student materials around technology including Generative AI and hands-on activities to make it easy to run an ICJ competition directly or by enlisting a Microsoft Global Training Partner (GTP).
Utilizing the ICJ In-a-Box materials is a simple and easy way for educators to teach technology concepts to students using engaging lessons and hands-on activities.
This flexible, agile, and accessible approach is a great way to encourage all students to participate, use their creativity, and practice teamwork and cooperation with their peers to create technology concepts to solve global and local problems.
The ICJ In-a-Box content is now available for educators and GTPs to download. The ICJ lessons have been localized into Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish and are posted along with the English lessons in the ICJ In-a-Box content under 1. Getting Started Kit / ICJ Lessons.
Please refer to the Imagine Cup Junior Frequently Asked Questions document for questions and answers around utilizing the ICJ lessons, guidance, and ways to run a competition in your school or community.