The excitement was electric as Cohort 3 of our Premier Accelerator Program (PAP) took the spotlight for their highly anticipated student software hackathon. Parents, mentors, and tech enthusiasts gathered to witness an inspiring display of creativity, problem-solving, and coding prowess. From deep-dive presentations to hands-on Python projects, the event celebrated the energy, curiosity, and innovation of our young learners.
Presentations: Learning from Tech Innovators
The first segment of the hackathon focused on STEM learning through dynamic presentations. Students were assigned renowned tech personalities to research and present, exploring their groundbreaking contributions and inspiring the next generation of coders.
Alabhyaa captivated the audience with her presentation on Margaret Hamilton, NASA's pioneering software engineer. She highlighted Hamilton's work on real-time operating systems, interrupt-driven systems, and error recovery, demonstrating how software developed on punch cards shaped modern programming practices.
Burhanuddin explored Dennis Ritchie, co-creator of the C programming language and Unix OS. His presentation detailed C's syntax and design, its influence on modern languages like C++, Java, and Python, and its role in systems programming. Burhanuddin emphasized Ritchie's enduring impact on software portability and innovation.
Rajveer brought Linus Torvalds' legacy to life, explaining the Linux kernel, open-source collaboration, and the role of Git in modern software development. His insights highlighted Linux's impact on servers, Android devices, and embedded systems, inspiring students with the power of open-source innovation.
Eklavya dove into Werner Vogels' contributions at Amazon, focusing on microservices architecture. He explained the advantages of microservices over monolithic systems and how AWS tools like Lambda and ECS enable scalable, fault-tolerant applications.
Nidhish showcased Tobias Lütke's Shopify platform, highlighting SaaS architecture, API integrations, and innovative headless commerce solutions. The presentation demonstrated how thoughtful design and coding can create globally impactful platforms.
Mufaddal explored Sundar Pichai's work on Chrome V8 Engine and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). He highlighted how JavaScript compilation and offline-first PWAs improve speed, accessibility, and the user experience.
Joanne presented Melanie Perkins' Canva platform, focusing on real-time collaboration, frontend rendering, and cloud-based design architecture. Her talk illustrated how coding and software engineering drive creative platforms that reach millions.
Rishaan explored Margaret Gould Stewart's work on scalable UX design systems at Google and Facebook. His presentation emphasized research-backed design, accessibility at scale, and creating interfaces for billions of users.
Parents and mentors were amazed as students confidently explained complex concepts, demonstrating the effectiveness of STEM learning for kids. These presentations not only educated but inspired, setting a high bar for curiosity and technical excellence.
Python Projects: Bringing Ideas to Life
The second segment of the hackathon focused on hands-on Python projects, giving students the opportunity to apply coding knowledge to real-world challenges. Cohort 3 focused on a Fitness App, incorporating APIs, data visualization, and logic to create practical, user-friendly applications.
Eklavya and Burhanuddin developed a Nutrition Tracker App, featuring a Calorie Tracker and Nutrition Planner. By integrating real-time APIs and dynamic charts, users can log meals, analyze nutritional content, and plan their diets effectively. This project highlighted the power of coding for kids to create health-conscious solutions.
Alabhyaa and Rajveer created an app that extracts and visualizes data from Google Fit, helping users monitor steps, calories, and active minutes. Their solution transformed raw data into actionable insights, combining technical skill with usability.
Rishaan and Nidhish built a Strava Walk API app, displaying walking routes on interactive maps and tracking activity completion. Their project blended Python programming, geospatial visualization, and goal tracking, encouraging healthy habits through technology.
Joanne and Mufaddal delivered a Personalized Workout Planner App, creating custom fitness plans based on user goals. Their thoughtful design and practical functionality earned praise for merging coding skills with real-world application, demonstrating the potential of young innovators in tech-driven problem-solving.
Across all projects, students demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and technical expertise. By combining APIs, data visualization, and interactive design, they turned ideas into functional applications, highlighting the immense potential of student software hackathons to foster innovation.
Guidance from the Jury: Words That Inspire
No hackathon is complete without insightful feedback, and Cohort 3 had the privilege of being evaluated by Parvez Pathan, Director -- Tools Development at Sungard Availability Services. With years of experience in the tech industry, Parvez brought a unique perspective to the event, carefully listening to each team's presentations and projects.
He asked thoughtful, probing questions that encouraged the students to think critically about their design choices, logic, and real-world applicability. His questions pushed the students beyond "what" they built to reflect on the "why" and "how," sparking deeper conversations around innovation and problem-solving.
Parvez commended the students for their creativity, teamwork, and ability to tackle complex challenges with confidence. In his closing remarks, he reminded them to remain grateful for opportunities like these that nurture their skills and open doors to future success. His message resonated strongly with both students and parents, emphasizing that learning and growth matter just as much as outcomes.
The segment concluded on a high note as Parvez proudly announced the hackathon awards, celebrating the remarkable efforts of Cohort 3 and leaving the room buzzing with excitement and pride.
A Morning of Inspiration and Hope
Cohort 3's Software Hackathon was more than a showcase of talent—it was a celebration of curiosity, determination, and ambition. Parents and mentors witnessed firsthand how STEM learning, coding, and Python projects empower young minds to solve real-world problems.
The presentations and projects left a lasting impression, revealing not only technical achievement but also confidence, collaboration, and resilience. Parents expressed pride and amazement at how their children applied coding knowledge to create functional apps and explain complex concepts with clarity.
With energy, creativity, and innovation leading the way, Cohort 3 has proven that the next generation of tech leaders is ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. From researching tech pioneers to building impactful applications, these young innovators exemplify the transformative power of coding for kids and hands-on STEM education.
The future looks brighter than ever, with Cohort 3 setting a shining example of how student software hackathons inspire creativity, instil technical skills, and foster the confidence to dream big. These young minds are not just learning—they are shaping the world.
