International Collegiate Programming Contest
Since 2005, I have coached Cooper Union's teams entering the annual International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). The competition takes place on a Sunday, typically during the fall semester, at a different location each year. Typically, between 50 to 80 teams from about 25 to 30 schools participate. At the competition, teams of three students compete to solve as many programming problems as they can within a five hour period. Students dedicate an entire Sunday, including time for travel and presentations before and after the competition, to participate. We usually meet weekly leading up to the competition to practice. This is a fun and intellecutally challenging activity and a great bonding experience for everyone involved. This is totally voluntary for the students, and participation shows real dedication and enthusiasm. More information about the competition, including problems and standings from previous years, can be found at http://www.acmgnyr.org.