Participants must be female-identifying or gender non-binary students in 3rd-12th grade.

Write a computer program to generate a self-portrait using, but not limited to, Processing.js or p5.js, and provide a working link to view both the artwork and the code (e.g. Khan Academy, CodeHS, p5.js, Code.org).

2026-2027 Theme: 🎨 “Life is Art” – CodeYourSelf™ as a Work of Art

This year, we’re inviting Code/Artists to turn themselves into a work of art!

Choose a piece of art or an art style that you love. Then, use code to create your self-portrait. You can place yourself inside an art piece that is meaningful to you, or borrow elements from a specific style you like, such as anime or Impressionism. 

YOU are a masterpiece!

•  Entry must include a self-portrait to qualify (i.e. a depiction of the artist/coder that includes the face, head, and shoulders).
• All design elements MUST be coded. No gifs, jpgs, pngs, images from an image library (e.g. Sprites from Scratch’s sprite library – including Sprites created with the Paint Editor), or other graphic files can be part of your portrait. The inclusion of any of these non-coded elements in your entry will lead to disqualification.
• Portrait must pull inspiration from this year’s theme (students can explain connection to theme in write up).
• Each entry must include a clear photograph of the participant.
• Only one CodeYourSelf™ submission is allowed per entrant.
• Each entry must provide parent/guardian or teacher consent and contact information (if under 18 years old).

A complete entry must include:

• • • a working link to view the code and self-portrait
    • a clear photo of yourself
    • write-up answering the questions: (1) How does your coded self-portrait reflect this year’s theme? (2) What was the inspiration behind your entry? (3) What was most challenging from a coding perspective in creating your project? (4) What did you find most rewarding?

CodeYourSelf™ is open to eligible students in Grades 3–12, including students from the U.S. and abroad.

Students residing in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties are also automatically considered for our South Florida Regional Competition, giving local students an additional opportunity to be recognized.

CodeYourSelf™ Competition

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges using the CodeYourSelf™ judging rubric.

Finalists & Winners

• Judges will select the Top 10 Finalists in each Grade Division: Elementary, Middle, and High School.
• From the Top 10 Finalists, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners will be selected in each Grade Division.
• All finalists and winners will be recognized during the Code/Art Awards Ceremony.

Honorable Mentions

• Beyond our Top 10 Finalists, additional standout entries in each Grade Division will be recognized as Honorable Mentions.
• Honorable Mention entries also have a special opportunity for recognition through our Visionary Picks.

Visionary Picks

• Honorable Mention entries will be reviewed by a separate panel of Visionary Judges—prominent women in technology, entertainment, and the arts.
• Each Visionary Judge will select one favorite project per Grade Division to receive their Visionary Pick recognition. With three Visionary Judges reviewing each Grade Division, a total of three Visionary Picks will be selected per Grade Division.

South Florida Regional Competition

• Students residing in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties are also considered for the South Florida Regional Competition.
• A regional judging panel will select the Top 10 Regional Finalists and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners in each Grade Division. Regional finalists and winners will be showcased and recognized at the South Florida Awards Ceremony.

Celebrating Our Students

All winners, finalists, Honorable Mentions, and Visionary Picks including South Florida Regional honoreeswill have their projects featured in the annual CodeYourSelf™ book, celebrating the creativity and accomplishments of our Code/Artists!

• Teachers! Access our easy-to-teach lesson plans by registering to our Hub.
• Use our Excel template for easy submission of multiple student projects
• The top elementary, middle school and high school teacher – those with the most student submissions – will each be recognized during the Awards Ceremony.

• Submission Deadline – Feb. 16, 2027 @ 11:59pm
• Judging Period – Feb. 17 – Mar. 6, 2027
• Awards Ceremony – April 3, 2027 @ Mad Arts Museum