MICS 2019 Call for Participation
Submission instructions are now available.
About MICS
The Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium (MICS) is a regional conference dedicated to providing an educational experience to students and instructors at higher education institutions. The conference focuses on the teaching of computing and its use in learning processes of all disciplines, and the incorporation of the study of this technology in the curriculum.
Activities include the presentation of technical papers and posters, programming and robotics competitions, a career fair, and a pizza party. Participants are primarily drawn from across the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. All are welcome to join us in Fargo.
This is the 52nd Symposium. Established in 1967, it is one of the nation’s oldest conferences on computer-related issues and associated opportunities and implementation at smaller institutions of higher education.
For more information on the history and goals of the MICS organization, please see our site:
For information about MICS 2019, including more details about the conference—including contest specifics and links to the online submission and registration systems—please visit:
Conference Location
MICS 2019 will be held at the North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. All events will occur on or near the NDSU campus.
Call for Participation
The MICS Program Committee invites you to submit a paper, poster, demonstration, presentation, panel discussion topic, or nifty assignment. Faculty papers generally address aspects of computer science education, such as the use of computers in instruction, innovative pedagogy, or the integration of research with instruction. Student papers generally discuss a research activity. Abstract submissions undergo thorough review. Student registrants may also participate in the programming and robot competitions.
All submissions require an abstract of 300–500 words to be submitted no later than February 15, 2019. Full versions of abstracts, papers, summaries, and assignments must be submitted by the final deadline of March 15, 2019 April 1, 2019. Conference registration is required for acceptance, publication, and presentation of any materials.
Papers
Paper abstracts must provide sufficient details to judge the submission. Student papers are strongly encouraged. (A student paper is one where a fulltime student is the primary author and presents the paper; instructors may be secondary authors.) A full version of the paper must be submitted by the final paper deadline. A presentation slot (which should include time for questions) will be scheduled.
Awards for up to three meritorious student papers will be presented at the Saturday lunch.
Poster/Software Demonstrations
Posters can be stand-alone or follow up on previous presentations. To present a poster, submit an abstract before the initial abstract deadline; a final abstract should be submitted by the final paper deadline. Presentations will occur during a designated poster session.
Panel Discussions
Panel discussions provide different points of view and facilitate discussion on contemporary topics. To host a panel, submit an abstract describing the topic and proposed panel members. Moderators for accepted panels should submit a short (2–3 pages) summary of panelist positions by the final deadline. Panel members are not necessarily expected to make formal presentations, but to facilitate discussion.
Nifty Assignments
Nifty assignments provide a forum for sharing ideas and materials for interesting classroom assignments. Abstracts should specify the target course and basic pedagogical concepts. A paper should be submitted by the final deadline; a 20-minute presentation will be scheduled as part of a thematic session.
Programming Contest
Student teams will compete against each other to solve a set of programming problems. Conference and contest registration is required and the number of accepted teams may be limited, so be sure to register early. Each team must be accompanied by a registered faculty coach who is willing to act as a contest judge. Awards will be presented to the top teams at the Saturday lunch.
Robot Contest
Student teams will build and program robots to compete against each other in a format to be determined. Conference and contest registration is required. Awards will be presented to the top teams at the Saturday lunch.
Cybersecurity Contest
As a new option for student participation, MICS 2019 will host a ‘capture the flag’ style cybersecurity conference. Conference and contest registration is required. Awards will be presented to the top teams at the Saturday lunch.
Career Fair
Student registrants will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from companies throughout the region. A list of industry participants and sponsors will be posted on the conference website.
Important Dates
Abstract submission February 15, 2019 – Click here to submit your abstract.
Acceptance notification February 22, 2019
Early registration deadline March 15, 2019 March 29, 2019 – Registration
Final paper due March 15, 2019 April 1, 2019 – Submission Instructions
Student contest registration March 15, 2019 – Student Contest Details
Conference date April 5-6, 2019