(HARTFORD, CT) - On December 9, 2025, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, alongside the Connecticut State Department of Education, local officials, and Groton Public Schools launched the 2026 Lt. Governor’s Computing Challenge (LGCC).
The Lt. Governor's Computing Challenge is a statewide coding competition for Connecticut students in grades 3 through 12. The “Coding for Good” theme encourages students to create applications designed to inspire health, wellness, and positive change.
“Computer science and AI are the future, and I am honored to provide an opportunity for young minds to engage with that future,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “The earlier children are exposed to computer science, the greater the chances are that they advance and excel in STEAM in education, and beyond. The last six years of the Computing Challenge have showcased excellent work from Connecticut’s most talented students, and I am looking forward to being inspired yet again by this year’s submissions.”
"In today's technology-driven world, digital citizenship education and the integration of artificial intelligence are vital to prepare students for learning and success in the future," said Connecticut Commissioner of Education Charlene M. Russell-Tucker. "The Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge invites students to explore and build with such emerging technologies and think deeply about how to create and shape applications in ethical, responsible ways that strengthen our communities.”
The LGCC was inspired by the work of the Governor's Council on Women and Girls: Subcommittee on Education and STEAM as a way to get students – regardless of their knowledge or experience in coding – excited about computer science. Since its inception, the Challenge has engaged thousands of students and STEM educators statewide to support and foster the future of computer science education and industry within our State.
“We are excited and proud to participate and host the LGCC kickoff event here in Groton, the Submarine Capital of the World, in our beautiful new Groton Middle School, where teams are named for submarines, including the USS Finback, USS Nautilus, and USS Tautog in grade 8,” said Superintendent of Schools Susan L. Austin. "I am impressed by how our computer literacy teachers have transformed coding into a tangible, collaborative experience, reinforcing the vital STEAM themes we champion at Groton Middle School,” said Groton Middle School Principal Peter Bass.“Building on the honor a GMS student received from the Challenge last year, I eagerly anticipate this year's Lt. Governor's Computing Challenge. I am confident our students will combine their creativity with technical skills to design solutions that improve our community and beyond.”
"As AI becomes more and more a part of our world, it's critical that students are able to understand and apply coding and computational thinking to problem solving," said Shannon Marimón, executive director at ReadyCT, a nonprofit organization that manages the LGCC. "AI was designed by coders, and it will be powered by coders, and it's important to keep in mind that we're not done being delightfully stunned by ongoing breakthroughs in AI. The LGCC helps position Connecticut students to be the ones who pioneer what comes next!"
The LGCC is open to students grades 3 through 12 with three different categories of participation— the Concept Challenge, the Prototype Challenge, and the Development Challenge—accommodating students with no computer science experience, to those who are well versed in the subject, the opportunity to participate. Students may work individually or as a team to submit a project, and may enter additional project submissions, provided they are within different challenge categories.
Submissions will be accepted through March 31, 2026 at 11:59pm.
For more information on the challenge, visit ltgovcc.org, and click here to view the LGCC promotional video.