Empowering Students to Innovate for Impact
Nextech is proud to announce the 8th annual Nextech CSforGood Competition.
CSforGood invites Hoosier students to use computer science to tackle real issues in their schools and communities, proving that technology can be a force for good. Student teams from elementary, middle, and high schools design and build original projects—software applications, websites, physical computing devices, or prototypes—that demonstrate how computer science can drive meaningful change.
Along the way, they strengthen their collaboration, critical thinking, and technical skills while discovering the real-world impact of their ideas. It’s more than a competition; it’s a powerful reminder that Indiana students are not just learning about technology. They’re using it to shape the future.
Program Overview
Teams of 2–6 students compete across three divisions—K–5, 6–8, and 9–12—and create a technology project, such as a software application, website, or physical computing device. Projects should demonstrate how computer science and artificial intelligence can be used for good to address real-world challenges and make a positive impact on students’ schools and communities.
The top teams from each division will be invited to the Nextech CSforGood Showcase. We will announce the date and location at a later time.
The finalists from the elementary, middle school and high school divisions will showcase their projects during the 2026 CSforGood Showcase, along with how they honed their problem solving, teamwork and CS skills, to a panel of judges, and a winner will be announced at the end of the event. Individual prizes for each member of the winning teams and classroom technology for the teacher sponsors will be awarded.
All projects are due on November 4, 2026, and finalists will be notified no later than November 11, 2026. Student teams can get started on their projects as soon as they would like as the project prompt is available now. If you need help getting started, previous winners and examples are posted here along with tips to integrate the project into your curriculum.
While we aren’t requiring teachers to register their teams in advance, we would love to know if you are participating. By registering, we will also send you a few updates and reminders along the way.
Participation Guidelines
How can computer science and AI be used to solve a problem in your community? Develop an innovative solution that addresses a real-world challenge and demonstrates how computer science and AI can make a meaningful difference.
CSforGood Project Prompt Announced: August 2026
CSforGood Projects Due: November 4, 2026
Celebration Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Where: TBA
Part One: Each submission must include a brief description (max 350 character) on what the project is and how it solves the CSforGood problem.
Part Two: Each submission must include a short narrative (no more than 2 pages) on the process that your team followed in order to create your project. It should address the following:
- Explains the process that your team used to come up with the idea/project,
- How is this project using computer science for good and solving a problem in your community or society, and
- What roles did each person on the team play in the process.
Part Three: Each submission must include a video demonstrating the project. It does not have to be high quality (e.g., shooting on a smartphone is perfectly acceptable). The video should be no more than 10 minutes.
Each team must submit at least one concrete technical artifact, such as:
- A working prototype or minimally viable produce (MVP)
- Source code repository (even partial)
- Technical architecture diagram
- Dataset + analysis notebook
- Demo showing functionality (not just mockups)
All submissions will be judged using this rubric.
A separate rubric will be provided to the finalists that are invited to the CSforGood Showcase in Indianapolis (date TBD).
Participation Guidelines
CSforGood Prompt
How can computer science and AI be used to solve a problem in your community? Develop an innovative solution that addresses a real-world challenge and demonstrates how computer science and AI can make a meaningful difference.
Timeline
CSforGood Project Prompt Announced: August 2026
CSforGood Projects Due: November 4, 2026
Celebration Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Where: TBA
Submission Requirements (ALL)
Part One: Each submission must include a brief description (max 350 character) on what the project is and how it solves the CSforGood problem.
Part Two: Each submission must include a short narrative (no more than 2 pages) on the process that your team followed in order to create your project. It should address the following:
- Explains the process that your team used to come up with the idea/project,
- How is this project using computer science for good and solving a problem in your community or society, and
- What roles did each person on the team play in the process.
Part Three: Each submission must include a video demonstrating the project. It does not have to be high quality (e.g., shooting on a smartphone is perfectly acceptable). The video should be no more than 10 minutes.
Submission Requirements (High School Only)
Each team must submit at least one concrete technical artifact, such as:
- A working prototype or minimally viable produce (MVP)
- Source code repository (even partial)
- Technical architecture diagram
- Dataset + analysis notebook
- Demo showing functionality (not just mockups)
Rubrics
All submissions will be judged using this rubric.
A separate rubric will be provided to the finalists that are invited to the CSforGood Showcase in Indianapolis (date TBD).
Congratulations, winners!
2025 Elementary School Division
Guilford Elementary School from Plainfield Community School Corporation won the 2025 Elementary School Division with Spot and Claim.
Spot and Claim is an app that enables students, families and staff to easily search for lost items by browsing a catalog of found belongings. Users can claim their items directly through the app, streamlining the process to ensure lost belongings are returned quickly and efficiently.
2025 Middle School Division
South Vermillion Middle School from South Vermillion Community School Corporation won the 2025 Middle School Division with Little Readers Library.
Little Readers Library is a website that brings stories to life for local students and teachers. The site provides fun videos with a random story generator, a mini AI choice game and audio support, making reading both interactive and accessible.
2025 High School Division
Whitewater Career Center won the 2025 CSforGood High School Division with Clario.
Clario is a universal classroom audio system that provides live captions on students’ devices, enabling them to review missed content, follow discussions in noisy or fast-paced classes and participate confidently. The app supports hearing-impaired students, students learning another language and enhances accessibility for all learners.
Congratulations, winners!
Elementary School
2025 Elementary School Division
Guilford Elementary School from Plainfield Community School Corporation won the 2025 Elementary School Division with Spot and Claim.
Spot and Claim is an app that enables students, families and staff to easily search for lost items by browsing a catalog of found belongings. Users can claim their items directly through the app, streamlining the process to ensure lost belongings are returned quickly and efficiently.
Middle School
2025 Middle School Division
South Vermillion Middle School from South Vermillion Community School Corporation won the 2025 Middle School Division with Little Readers Library.
Little Readers Library is a website that brings stories to life for local students and teachers. The site provides fun videos with a random story generator, a mini AI choice game and audio support, making reading both interactive and accessible.
High School
2025 High School Division
Whitewater Career Center won the 2025 CSforGood High School Division with Clario.
Clario is a universal classroom audio system that provides live captions on students’ devices, enabling them to review missed content, follow discussions in noisy or fast-paced classes and participate confidently. The app supports hearing-impaired students, students learning another language and enhances accessibility for all learners.
CSforGood Showcase
Finalist teams are invited to the Nextech CSforGood Celebration at the Indiana Statehouse, where they showcase their work to judges, legislators, industry leaders, and members of the tech community.
