In a recent initiative led by the University of L’Aquila (UNIVAQ) and organized by Prof. Antonio Bucchiarone of the Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics (DISIM), over 200 high school students participated in a dynamic competition focused on developing computational thinking skills.

The event leveraged the ENCORE Enabler for Learners to deliver an adaptive, gamified learning path, transforming the way students engage with core digital skills. Designed with educational diversity in mind, the path (as depicted in the figure below) included a wide range of activities—interactive readings, quizzes, coding challenges, and collaborative brainstorming sessions—all structured to foster critical thinking and teamwork.

The gamification element played a key role in maintaining high levels of student motivation and participation. Points were earned by completing tasks, progressing through the learning journey, and actively contributing in group challenges, encouraging both individual excellence and collaborative learning.

This experience not only empowered students to take control of their learning journey, but also allowed educators to monitor progress and provide real-time feedback through the ENCORE platform.

At the end of the competition, the top 3 students from each group—first two years and last two years of high school—were awarded certificates of excellence, celebrating their achievements in this innovative and engaging format.

This competition demonstrates the transformative potential of ENCORE’s learner enablers in real-world educational settings, bringing gamification, personalization, and collaboration to the forefront of digital skills education.