Steemit Crypto Academy Contest / S14W3 [SUMMARY]: Sidechains

Introduction

Hello Steemians,

I hope you are all doing well, and your week has been fulfilling. Today, our main focus is to provide a detailed summary of the competition held from December 11 to December 17, 2023, marking the third week of the Steemit Engagement Challenge in the fourteenth season. The event unfolded seamlessly, and credit is due to the exemplary professionalism demonstrated by our academy members, contributing to the overall success and smooth execution of the competition.

In essence, this report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the data and feedback collected during this time, specifically addressing your active participation in the competition organized by the Steemit Crypto Academy community. The primary goal of the competition was to assess and measure your knowledge within the expansive realms of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

During the inaugural week, the competition focused on the captivating theme of Sidechains. Participants were encouraged to delve into this subject, exploring its intricacies and implications within the crypto landscape. Now, let's delve into the specifics and further elaborate on the experiences and insights gained throughout this engaging event.

In this competition, our esteemed participants were assigned the following tasks:

• What is a sidechain in the context of blockchains and how does it work to improve the scalability of a blockchain network?

• What are the main differences between a sidechain and the main blockchain, and how do these differences help solve scalability issues?

• Are there any concrete examples of successful implementations of sidechains in blockchains, especially in the context of the Steemit platform?

• How could sidechains be used to diversify functionality on the Steemit platform beyond simple cryptocurrency transactions?

• How could sidechains help attract new users and developers to the Steemit platform by offering improved functionality and reduced transaction costs?

We were genuinely impressed by the quality of the content submitted in the entries, a clear testament to the dedication and expertise of the participants. Notably, some contributors participated in our crypto competitions for the first time, and this initial challenge served as a significant stepping stone, providing them with a valuable introduction to our platform and community. The diverse perspectives brought by these newcomers enhanced the overall competition experience, highlighting the inclusivity and welcoming nature of our engagement initiatives.

As we contemplate the success of this competition, we eagerly anticipate discovering more talent in the upcoming seasons. The involvement of newcomers has not only expanded the pool of contributors but has also underscored the potential for continuous growth and evolution within our community.

Without further ado, let's now explore the statistical insights and expressions of gratitude, shedding light on the quantitative aspects of the competition and expressing appreciation to all participants for their valuable contributions.

Participation statistics

We received a grand total of 16 submissions for the contest, and unfortunally, there were three instances of entries deemed invalid.

Total number of entries	Invalid entry	Plagiarized content
16	2	1

_{Performance Distribution}

_{Score Distribution}

As part of this week's evaluation, several significant observations were noted, providing detailed insight into the diversity of performances within the competition. In particular, five messages stood out by obtaining a rating of Excellent, thus representing a notable share of 31% of the total messages evaluated. This recognition highlights the exceptional quality of these specific contributions, highlighting the exemplary expertise and commitment of the authors.

Furthermore, the majority of applications, 44%, were assessed as being of Good quality. This result represents the highest score ever recorded in the history of the competition, reflecting the consistency and general progression in the level of participation. Additionally, 6% of the posts were rated as being of Medium quality, thus adding additional nuance to the diversity of performances observed.

However, the transparency and integrity of the competition was also preserved by reporting a post for plagiarism. This highlights the importance of maintaining high ethical standards and promoting originality within the community. Additionally, two posts were deemed invalid, one due to posting out of time, emphasizing the crucial importance of meeting established deadlines, and the other for not having fully met the competition criteria, highlighting highlights the need to carefully follow the guidelines provided.

In short, this in-depth evaluation highlights the richness and variety of participants' performances, while highlighting aspects requiring particular attention. It also offers avenues for reflection for the continued development of the competition, aiming to encourage excellence while promoting inclusiveness within the community.

Top 3 users of the week

In our selection process, we initially assessed the quality of participants' performance, giving priority to their interactions with fellow contestants.

When choosing the top 3 participants, we considered both their performance scores and their interactions. Additionally, we made a distinct selection based on an article that provided exceptional content relevant to the topic of discussion. Below, you will find the top 3 users we have acknowledged for this week.

Ranking	Username	Article
1	@yancar	Link
2	@starrchris	Link
3	@sahmie	Link

Perspectives

We want to express our sincere gratitude for your consistent and dedicated participation. Congratulations to all those who have secured top positions this week; your hard work and commitment are truly commendable. It's inspiring to witness the high standards of quality and engagement that each of you brings to our competitions.

As we move forward, we encourage you to continue fostering a spirit of collaboration and excellence among your fellow participants. Your contributions not only elevate the overall experience but also contribute to the vibrant community we aim to cultivate.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the prospect of your continued involvement in our future contests. Your enthusiasm and dedication play a crucial role in making our competitions successful, and we value the positive impact you bring to our community. Thank you once again for being an integral part of our journey, and we can't wait to see your continued success in the challenges that lie ahead.