NTT DATA Foundation Opens International Tech Olympics
The NTT DATA FOUNDATION has opened registration for its free International Technology Olympics, an online competition for children aged 7-16 designed to promote digital literacy and computational thinking by solving real-world problems with technology.
The NTT DATA FOUNDATION has opened registration for its new International Technology Olympics. This initiative aims to address the growing need for digital skills in today's world.
The program is a free online competition for children aged 7 to 16. Its goal is to promote digital literacy, teach computational thinking, and help close the technology gap from an early age.
With digital skills becoming more and more important, the foundation wants to prepare young people to be active creators of technology, not just consumers. Through fun activities, participants are encouraged to find problems in their daily lives and come up with creative solutions using technology. This approach helps develop critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance – all essential skills for the future.
Previous editions have shown the potential of this program to create projects with a big social impact. For example, a young girl with autism from Asturias developed a video game to help others understand her experiences. Another participant from Aragon created an app to help older people check schedules and access public transport. A student from Madrid also designed a video game to promote inclusion for people with disabilities and prevent school bullying.
The Olympics are held in five languages and involve countries across Europe and Latin America. Participants must tackle a main challenge: identifying local problems and using technology to solve them, with support from NTT DATA volunteers who act as mentors.
After a period of training, winners will be chosen by country and category. The national final in Spain is scheduled for June 2nd and 3rd, while the international final will take place in September 2026. Winners, both nationally and internationally, will receive prizes like drones or programmable robots to further encourage their digital skill development. Special recognition will also be given to the most involved teachers, highlighting their crucial role in supporting and motivating participants.
No prior programming knowledge is needed to join the Olympics; participants only require a computer and internet connection. Registration is free and can be completed on the foundation's official website until March 23, 2026.
The NTT DATA FOUNDATION also offers specific training for educators. An online information session will be held on March 11, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, to explain the content, platform, and the registration and follow-up process. Following this, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, there will be an introductory masterclass on computational thinking and Scratch, the programming tool used by the young competitors.