Highlights in Computer Science

Drawn entirely with recursive programming - L6th Students 

The Computer Science Department has been very busy this term. The highlight has been the way in which boys have been engaged with lessons and in co-curricular activities, contributing to a wealth of activities within the Department. 

Earlier in the term, the Lower School boys have performed extremely well in the national Competition called the Bebras Challenge.  This is designed to be a test of student’s ability to think algorithmically and over 300,000 students from all over the UK have taken part. 

Almost all of the Third Form sat the intermediates’ test and no less than 31 boys got a Distinction with 30 boys getting a Merit. 30 Fourth Formers and Fifth Formers also sat the seniors’ test and eight boys achieved a Distinction with seven Merits. The top performer in the intermediates were Elio Mortarotti (3e) with an incredible score of 162 points, followed by Alex Grover (3f) and Hugo Tyrell (3d) with 149. The best senior in the School was Joseph Steel (5d) with 150 points, followed by Brandon Chen (4e) with 146 points - congratulations to them. Many of the top-performing boys will be invited to create a team for the Oxford Computing Challenge next term. 

Next term also sees the return of Algorithm of the Month. However, this term we have been programming simulated robotic cars in the Department’s Coding Club. 

Here, the boys’ coding abilities are tested to the limits with their understanding of how to use basic constructions such as loops and decisions, along with more sophisticated algorithmic thinking of how to tactically steal canisters from the centre of the stage and take them home to their respective ‘home’. This requires the boys to think tactically and use the virtual camera systems on the robots to detect canisters and use makers around the walls to navigate themselves.  It’s early days yet but students will continue next term and will pit their code against each other’s and against the sinister robot made by Dr David Wild! 

Robots seeking out tokens from the Sherborne Arena. 

David Wild, Head of Computer Science