SPOKANE, Wash. — High school students from across Spokane gathered together today to show off their computer science skills.
The stakes? A trip to the state competition.
Spokane high school students tested their STEM knowledge at the annual SkillsUSA regional contest. From building websites, cracking code, and breaking firewalls, students worked to secure a spot in the state tournament.
"I've always loved computer science and other fields and topics regarding that," said high school student Paloma Ford.
Ford is an 11th grader at Central Valley High School. This is her first year taking part in a cybersecurity contest.
"There's definitely been some challenges, but we've been able to help each other and work through them," Ford said.
The other two areas the contest focuses on are computer programming and web design. This year's contest is the first time all three competitions are being held at the same time, in the same place.
"It's free for them. So all they have to do is show up and participate," said event organizer Stu Steiner.
Steiner organized the event, saying computer skills events prepare students for the real world.
"It's so important because it gives them that hands-on experience," Steiner said.
The students who place the highest at the regional event, qualify for the state tournament in Tacoma in March.
"It's a fun pastime, it can be frustrating because you sit there and you wonder what's wrong," student Maria Kravtsova said.
Kravtsova already qualified for state. She says it's never too early to start coding.
"It's going to be in our future no matter what happens. So like if you learn it now you can do a lot more in your future with coding," Kravtsova said.
And with several Spokane schools already offering computer science classes and clubs, organizers hope the program only continues to grow.
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