The North American Computational Linguistics Open is a contest in which high-school students solve linguistics puzzles, roughly parallel to the USAMO/USAPhO/USNCO/USACO for math, physics, chemistry, and computer science. In solving the problems, students learn about the diversity and consistency of language, while exercising logic skills. No prior knowledge of linguistics or second languages is necessary. The winners of the Invitational Round may be eligible to represent North America at the International Linguistics Olympiad.
Any high school or middle school student is invited to participate in the Open Round. The best performing students on the Open Round will be notified by early March that they have qualified for the Invitational Round.
The Open Round of NACLO 2025 will be on Thursday, January 23, from 10 am to 1 pm. The room for the contest is 3-270. Directions to the room can be viewed here. Please plan to arrive to the room at 9:45 (doors should be open as early as 9:30). You should be in your seats by 9:55 when announcements will be made and packets handed out. Due to NACLO policy, we cannot grant time extensions or repeat announcements for late contestants. Due to MIT policy, food is not allowed in the room.
To register for the contest, you will need to create an account on naclo.org. If you have a question, you can contact the organizing host, Arul Kolla, at arulk@mit.edu.