For 10 years, the national Learn to Code with Alice competition in Romania has offered more than just a programming challenge. It has been the perfect opportunity to bring together passionate teachers, ambitious students, and communities ready to embrace the future of technology. We proudly celebrate 10 editions of this remarkable competition — a decade of projects, inspiration, and progress.
We have a story of dedication, and we can say a big “Thank you!” to Adfaber, our Oracle Academy partner, and to the teachers involved and their students.
Since 2015, over 7,000 students have participated in this competition, guided by more than 3,000 dedicated teachers. It is a project that has inspired entire generations, bringing communities together and shaping the future of technology. With an impressive reach of over 15,000 people annually, the competition has had a significant impact, turning dreams into reality for thousands of students and teachers across Romania.
One of the competition’s strongest aspects is the use of the Alice 3 platform, an educational environment that allows students to create interactive stories, games, and animations. Through its visual approach, students discover and learn programming in an intuitive and engaging way, breaking away from the traditional barriers of theoretical learning in schools.
For many of the teachers, participating in this national competition has become a tradition.
“We’ve been participating in this competition with our students for several years. From my perspective as a teacher, it’s a competition that develops students, helping them significantly to understand programming in a visual way, because in school, we often approach it theoretically,” says Vida Felicia Maria, a coordinating teacher.
“I encourage all my fellow teachers to enroll their students in this competition because it goes beyond what they learn in school. It helps them develop their thinking, grow as individuals, and bring their ideas to life,” says Dijmarescu Cristina, a coordinating teacher.
This competition has inspired students to experiment and create, while encouraging teachers to innovate in their teaching methods. Every project presented in the competition tells a story of effort, dedication, and the desire to go beyond expectations.
One success story
The success of the Alice competition is reflected not only in the number of participants but also in their stories. Some students, after participating in the competition and learning the fundamentals of programming, are now pursuing careers in programming and working for renowned tech companies. Others have become university teaching assistants, delivering data science courses and mentoring new generations of programmers.
A remarkable example is Damian Monea, a former participant who is now a university assistant and a member of the competition’s jury. He enthusiastically shares his experience of evaluating students’ projects:
“Being a judge for the Learn to Code with Alice competition has been a pleasure. I’ve had the opportunity to observe how teams approached a very interesting theme and how they managed to implement educational games using only their own knowledge and the Alice 3 program. Personally, I was impressed by the high quality of the projects, especially as a former participant of this competition. I congratulate the contestants for their dedication and the projects they’ve created.”
Watch the interview with Damian Monea.
10 years of extraordinary achievements
A decade since its inception, the National Learn to Code with Alice competition has proven that modern education can be transformative. The success stories are not just about those who claimed the top prizes but about every student who overcame challenges and discovered their potential to achieve extraordinary things.
See the experiences of participating students and learn how this competition contributed to their growth in this video.
This anniversary is a time for reflection and gratitude for everyone involved: teachers, students, partners, and parents who supported their children. Each of you has contributed to a story that not only marks a decade of success but also paves the way for many more years to come.
The Alice Competition wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Oracle Academy, a fundamental pillar in empowering students in Romania with access to free programming courses, offering students the opportunity to explore technology in a practical and interactive way. This support has ensured that the competition remains free for all middle school and high school students across the country.
Visit the Alice competition website to find out how you can contribute to the future of technology and education.
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