While at HPE in Houston, TX, I got to experience Codewars in action.
What is CodeWars
CodeWars is a yearly competition where High School students in teams of 3 solve programming issues. This is run in 9 different cities around the world on the same day (with the exception of Bangalore due to their school schedule). Each team is given around 24 problems to solve. From the simplest issues to the more complex coding problems, the students will try to solve as many as possible within a 3 hour time period.

No Internet, One Computer
The only resources you can bring are one computer and books – and the books are unlimited. No other peripheral or Internet use is allowed. This includes cell phones. And the computer cannot have virtual machines on it.
The team’s computer is connected to an intranet, where the problems would be sent for grading and come back to inform of success. If the problem turns out wrong, they have the opportunity to re-submit.

20 Years of CodeWars
The competition started in 1997 as Compaq CodeWars. They celebrate 20 years in creating future coders, app makers, and more.
Scott Harsany, creator of CodeWars, talked about how this was the first year where no student was around when the first year happened. By spanning 20 years, this competition has influenced many coders world-wide.
Within the years, traditions ensued. For example, some students will show up in costume to really show the spirit of their team.
In the Video
We meet some of the students that participated in CodeWars 2017, the Barcelona team that won last year and got to compete at this event, along with executives at HPE, and teachers that inspire the students. Even one teacher who has been bringing teams to the Houston event for all 20 years.
*I was paid to cover this event. This documentary-style video covers the day’s events.*