WNY Turing Challenge
A regional computing challenge for middle and high school students in Western New York.
The challenge culminates in a student project showcase, selected poster presentations, category awards, and a research and education expo featuring UB innovations and Buffalo-area educational programs.
Hosted by the UB Computer Science & Engineering Department and the UB Center for Translational AI and Digital Health
May 23, 2026 · 9:30 AM–2:00 PM · Davis Hall · University at Buffalo
Required: project form + video demo
Optional: poster for the Poster Showcase and Poster Competition
Teams: up to 3 students + 1 mentor
New featured themes: Computing Research + Creative Computing & Digital Arts
Submission Deadline
May 10, 2026
Poster Decisions
May 17, 2026
Final Event
May 23, 2026
Review Process
At least 2 reviews
Team format
Students may participate individually or in teams of up to 3 students, with up to 1 mentor per team.
Hosted by
Supported by
About the Challenge
A refreshed regional computing program for students across Western New York.
The WNY Turing Challenge, formerly CS4HS, is a regional computing program for middle and high school students across Western New York.
Hosted by the UB Computer Science & Engineering Department and the UB Center for Translational AI and Digital Health, the challenge invites students to submit original projects in modern computing areas, share their work with reviewers and the public, and engage with the broader innovation and education ecosystem in Buffalo.
This year's refreshed event especially highlights two featured new themes: Computing Research and Creative Computing & Digital Arts.
Students may participate individually or in teams of up to 3 students, with up to 1 mentor per team. Mentors may be school teachers, parents, or other adults supporting the team.
The final event on May 23, 2026 will feature student project demos, selected poster presentations, category awards, a showcase of UB research products, and showcases from Buffalo-area educational programs.
New in the WNY Turing Challenge
Two signature additions expand the event beyond a traditional build-only competition.
As part of the new WNY Turing Challenge branding, we are introducing two featured themes that expand the traditional competition model: Computing Research and Creative Computing & Digital Arts.
Computing Research
For students who want to explore important questions in computing through experiments, benchmarking, analysis, user studies, or algorithmic investigation. This track welcomes projects where the main contribution is insight, evidence, or findings — not just implementation.
Creative Computing & Digital Arts
For students who want to combine computing with creativity through generative art, interactive media, digital storytelling, music, animation, visualization, and other artistic or expressive forms of technology.
These two featured themes reflect the broader vision of the WNY Turing Challenge: rigor, creativity, innovation, and real-world impact.
Choose Your Category
Choose one main category that best fits your project.
All categories use the same unified judging rubric. Teams may also optionally submit a poster for the Poster Showcase and Poster Competition.
Computing Research
Explore an important question in computing through experiments, analysis, benchmarking, user studies, or algorithmic investigation. Projects in this category may include prototypes, but the main contribution can be the insight, evidence, or findings.
Creative Computing & Digital Arts
Use computing to create interactive media, generative art, digital storytelling, music, animation, visualization, or other creative experiences.
Software, Apps & Games
Build websites, apps, games, dashboards, or software tools that solve problems or create engaging user experiences.
Cybersecurity
Explore secure systems, privacy, encryption, digital safety, cyber defense, or cybersecurity education.
IoT, Robotics & Physical Computing
Design projects that connect computing with the physical world through devices, sensors, robotics, wearables, or smart systems.
AI & Intelligent Systems
Develop projects that use machine learning, intelligent automation, or data-driven systems to solve meaningful problems.
Not sure which category fits? Choose the one that best matches the main technical idea of your project.
Submission and Review Process
All materials are submitted through our online submission and review system.
Submission Materials
Required
- • Project form
- • Project video demo
Optional
- • Poster PDF for the Poster Showcase and Poster Competition
Review Process
- • Each submission will receive at least 2 reviews.
- • Teams will receive email notification and reviewer comments after the review process.
- • Poster showcase decisions will be released on May 17, 2026.
- • Overall category awards will be announced on May 23, 2026 at the final event.
Unified Judging Rubric
All projects are evaluated using the same 100-point rubric across all categories.
Idea & Innovation
Originality, creativity, and clarity of the project concept.
Technical Depth & Execution
Technical challenge, implementation quality, and evidence of meaningful work.
Impact & Relevance
Usefulness, significance, and broader value of the project.
Presentation Quality
Clarity, organization, and effectiveness of the submission video/demo.
The optional poster is judged separately in the Poster Showcase and Poster Competition.
Key Dates
A three-step process from submission to final showcase.
May 10, 2026 — Submission Deadline
Submit your project form and video demo. Poster submission is optional for teams that want to be considered for the poster showcase and poster competition.
May 17, 2026 — Poster Decisions Released
Selected teams will be notified by email. Accepted poster teams should print and bring their poster to the event.
May 23, 2026 — Final Showcase, Awards & Innovation Expo
Student project demos, selected poster presentations, category judging, awards, UB research showcases, and showcases from Buffalo-area educational programs.
What Happens on Event Day
The final event is more than an awards ceremony.
It is a regional celebration of student computing, creativity, and innovation.
The event is designed to bring together students, families, educators, reviewers, and community partners in one shared space.
Student project demos
Selected poster presentations
Category awards
Showcases of UB research products
Showcases from Buffalo-area educational programs
Partners and Supporters
Organizations that care about student innovation and computing education in Western New York.
The WNY Turing Challenge welcomes support from schools, community organizations, nonprofits, educational programs, and industry partners who care about student innovation and computing education in Western New York.
We also welcome participation from Buffalo-area educational programs that would like to showcase pathways, opportunities, and resources for students and families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key details for students, mentors, families, and educators.
Who can participate?+
The challenge is open to middle and high school students in Western New York.
Can I participate as a team?+
Yes. Students may participate individually or as a team.
How many students and mentors can be on a team?+
A team may include up to 3 students and up to 1 mentor. Mentors may be school teachers, parents, or other adults supporting the team.
What categories are available?+
The challenge includes six categories: Computing Research; Creative Computing & Digital Arts; Software, Apps & Games; Cybersecurity; IoT, Robotics & Physical Computing; and AI & Intelligent Systems.
What do I need to submit?+
Teams must submit a project form and a project video demo. A poster PDF is optional for teams that want to be considered for the Poster Showcase and Poster Competition.
Do I need to submit a poster?+
No. The poster is optional and is only required for teams that want to participate in the Poster Showcase and Poster Competition.
How are projects reviewed?+
Each submission will receive at least 2 reviews. Teams will receive email notification and reviewer comments after the review process.
When will poster decisions be released?+
Poster showcase decisions will be released by email on May 17, 2026.
When are category awards announced?+
Overall category awards will be announced on May 23, 2026 at the final event.
Ready to Join the Challenge?
Submit your project, explore the categories, and be part of a regional showcase of student innovation in computing.
For questions, please contact: k12-computing@buffalo.edu