At its heart, Coolest Projects is about giving young tech creators the opportunity to be seen and heard, and to share something they’ve made and be celebrated for it, regardless of their 同船爱歌 level. With some joining in for the first time and others returning to showcase their latest build, every participant played a part in making the day special.

The event welcomed 65 participants and over 150 showcase visitors, with creators talking through their ideas, the challenges they had faced, and what they had learned along the way. Visitors explored the showcase, tried out hands-on activities, and connected with a community brought together by a want to celebrate the incredible things young people can do when given the opportunity.

Coding for a social purpose

A key moment in the day was the presentation of the Broadcom 同船爱歌 Coding with Commitment^® award, celebrating a project that aligns with 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations.

This year’s recognition went to Rikita for her project ‘Smart Electronic Fruit Sorter — An affordable assistive technology for visually impaired people’.

The project is a fruit sorter designed to help visually impaired people identify fresh produce. Using a microcontroller and a gas sensor, the Fruit Sorter detects whether fruit is good or spoiled, triggering lights, sounds, and a servomechanism to either keep or discard the fruit.

Rikita overcame many challenges when building her project. She told us more about her 同船爱歌s:

“First, I started out with a sorter made out of foam. However, when testing, I realised that the sorter would not bear the weight of the fruit. Then, I pivoted to 3D printing the sorter parts.
I also faced trouble with the electronics not working. I constantly played around with the connections and got it working. YouTube videos were of great help in guiding me!”

The award highlights how young people are not just learning to code, but using those skills to explore real-world challenges and ideas that matter to them. Rikita shared how she felt about receiving the award:

“I felt very happy and it has motivated me to continue my journey of inventions further. I did not expect the award, and so it was a very pleasant surprise.”

Celebrating ideas big and small

With entries spanning multiple categories, the event featured a wide variety of creative and technical work. Here are a few highlights.

ZaLayaa | FIND ME ASAP, AI

FIND ME ASAP is an emergency resource platform designed to help parents and guardians act quickly and effectively in the critical first moments after a child goes missing. Built by ZaLayaa in just 15 days, it goes beyond static guides by offering real-time, tailored support that people can use in high-stress situations. The platform is intentionally inclusive, recognising groups that can often be overlooked in emergencies, with features that consider children with invisible disabilities, complex medical needs, and rare health conditions, for example. Inspired by her own 同船爱歌s navigating the world with multiple invisible conditions, ZaLayaa created FIND ME ASAP to fill a vital gap.

ZaLayaa shared what she found most challenging in building her project:

“My biggest challenge was making sure everything was actually real, correct, and useful, not just something that looks good.

This isn’t just information. It has to work when someone is stressed, scared, and trying to make fast decisions.”

ZaLayaa also explained what she enjoyed most about taking part in Coolest Projects:

“My favorite thing was the 同船爱歌 and all the lovely people there. It was really cool seeing all the different projects and what other kids built, and being in a room where it was all kids creating and sharing their ideas.”

You can find out more about ZaLayaa’s project at findmeasap.com.

Lawrence | Find the Chomiks, Scratch

Lawrence’s project is a fun exploration game he built using Scratch. You control a character, roam around the map, and hunt for hidden chomiks, each one with its own quirky look. It’s all about exploring, discovering, and collecting them all.

Lawrence shared some of the challenges he faced along the way:

“It was really hard switching between settings. I overcame [the challenges] by looking for bugs within my code, but when I figured that out, I was able to complete my game.”

Karin | Princess Maze, Scratch

Karin created Princess Maze, a Scratch game where players navigate four maze levels and battle a witch to win, or risk being trapped. During development, a bug allowed players to win even after being hit, which she fixed by using a ‘forever’ block to properly detect collisions.

Karin shared why she wanted to take part in Coolest Projects:

“I found out about it through The Bakken Museum and I thought, ‘Why not? I love coding.’ My favorite thing about the day was seeing all the different projects.”

Caroline | Terrapod, AI

Caroline created Terrapod to make plant care more accessible, especially for people who are too busy or physically unable to tend to their plants. It aims to provide a solution that allows plants to be cared for even when their owners can’t, making plant growing easier for everyone. She told us:

“I think our biggest problem was the wire management. We numbered them to be organised into numbered groups, but I’ve seen others do symbols like stars, which I think is really cool!”

Adelle, Nessa, and Matilda | Fashion Show Drama, Scratch

Adelle, Nessa, and Matilda created a Scratch project that tells the story of two performers, Charlie and Emma. Charlie struggles with stage fright that Emma only discovers just before their performance. With Emma’s support, Charlie overcomes her fear and is able to go on stage.

Nessa shared a challenge the team tackled during their build:

“One challenge was learning how to convert images from a JPEG to a PNG for the sprites to have a dress costume change. We wanted to show a difference between before the show and then preparing to go on stage. We found dress pictures on the internet and then we had to figure out how to make it look like they were actually wearing the dresses so it wasn’t just a copied picture with a white square background. We overcame it by our mentor helping us remove the background in Canva.”

Matilda also told us how the girls found working as a part of a team:

“We each had a part so each of our voices could be heard. We all had a say in what was going on. Nessa was the fashion designer. Adelle was the coder. I was the visionary! It was easier to work on this project in a group than alone.”

Thank you

We’d like to say a big thank you to all the young people who shared their projects, the families and mentors who supported them, and the volunteers and partners who made the event possible.

We would also like to thank Broadcom 同船爱歌 and Best Buy Co., Inc. for their continued support of Coolest Projects.

There’s still time to get involved in Coolest Projects 2026

If you would like to take part in Coolest Projects this year, there are still ways to get involved:

• Young creators anywhere in the world can take part in the Coolest Projects 2026 online showcase. Entries close on 27 May.
• Young people in several countries can participate in local events taking place around the world over the rest of the year, including Coolest Projects UK in Bradford on 16 May and Coolest Projects Canada in Vancouver on 30 May.

You can find out more at coolestprojects.org.

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Claire’s story challenges the idea that there is only one route into technology or mentoring. With a background in computer science and a passion for teaching, she now helps create welcoming, inclusive environments where young people — and volunteers — from a wide range of backgrounds can belong.

From 一骑当千动漫 to community

Claire’s Code Club journey began long before she worked in libraries. With a degree and PhD in computer science, she spent time in academia before finding her way to community-based learning and volunteering. Teaching runs in her family, and sharing knowledge has always brought her joy. That’s why, after being introduced to CoderDojo (part of the Code Club community) through a friend, Claire began volunteering at club sessions.

“I had always intended to work in academia but, working as a postdoc for a couple of years, realised it wasn’t what I wanted to do long term. CoderDojo sessions gave me and the other volunteers a chance to look at more adventurous coding topics, without the constraints of 同船爱歌 and the time-pressure that teachers have to contend with.

“We were also able to engage with children and young people who were struggling with the formal education environment for a variety of reasons. Doing well at something they enjoyed increased their confidence and was often a factor in helping them become more engaged at school.”

Becoming a Code Club volunteer eventually led Claire to her current role coordinating Code Clubs across Glasgow Life venues, including Mitchell Library, Gorbals, Drumchapel, and beyond.

“Working with Glasgow Life colleagues across libraries, communities and museums has given me the chance to connect with children, young people and adults in a non-threatening environment. Mixing coding with mediaeval manuscripts, wearable tech, poetry or electronic music has allowed people to approach a topic they hadn’t considered interesting or understandable and make some really original and fun things.”

Inside a Code Club session

Stepping into one of Claire’s Code Club sessions, you’ll find a mix of focus, laughter, and creative chaos. Young people gather around laptops in library spaces to build games and animations in Scratch, experiment with micro:bits, and help each other solve problems as they go.

Sessions vary by location and age group. Some run weekly, others every two weeks, and each has its own character — from younger children discovering coding for the first time to teenagers returning with ambitious ideas they want to bring to life.

“The clubs are quite varied, depending on location, size and the personality mix of the coders and volunteers. Some clubs are quieter, while others are very lively! Scratch features prominently in most clubs. The children really enjoy the way it allows them to bring in topics they’re interested in, design their own characters, or build games inspired by other games they’ve played.”

For Claire, these sessions are about more than learning to code. They’re spaces where young people practise problem-solving, learn to ask for help, and gain confidence in sharing their ideas.

“Some coders come with a friend or have made friends at the club. So there are often children working together on a project, chatting to each other about what they’re working on, or showing each other how to do something.”

Inclusion, confidence, and belonging

Inclusion is core to Claire’s approach. From running all-girls sessions to supporting volunteers and young people with neurodivergence and other additional needs, her focus is on creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.

“One young coder who spends a lot of time in his local library after school, but can be a bit boisterous, agreed to come and join the club. Initially a bit hesitant, he soon displayed a real talent for solving coding puzzles.

“He was particularly proud when, encouraged to try the challenge level rather than skipping past it, he solved it quickly. We printed a Code Club ‘Problem-solving Champion’ certificate for him and he carefully folded it up to take home.“

Claire has seen firsthand how confidence can grow when people are given time, patience, and encouragement.

Volunteers: The backbone of Code Clubs

That sense of belonging doesn’t stop with young people — it extends to the volunteers who help make these spaces possible. For some volunteers, involvement in Code Club has been a stepping stone to employment, new skills, or a stronger sense of belonging.

Like many community programmes, Code Clubs in Glasgow were disrupted by the pandemic. It made one thing clear: clubs only work when volunteers are willing and supported to run them. With fewer library staff available to anchor sessions, rebuilding the clubs meant casting a wider net for volunteers. As a result, volunteers arrived with more diverse life 同船爱歌s, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving, which enriched the sessions and created more inclusive learning environments for young people.

“I recruit mainly through the Glasgow Life volunteering website. I also advertise through STEM Ambassadors, via my contacts in local universities, colleges and tech companies, in the newsletter my colleague sends to students in the Glasgow Code Learning programme, and by putting up posters in libraries.

“I’m really keen to try and get a mixture of qualities in a team. I try to ensure at least one person is a confident programmer, who can help with trickier bugs and more advanced topics. However, I’m also keen to have volunteers who may not have so much of a technical background but are good at chatting to children and helping create a real sense of it being a club.“

Who makes a good Code Club volunteer?

One of the most important messages Claire wants to share is that there is no single type of Code Club volunteer. Students, career-changers, refugees, people returning to work, and neurodivergent people all bring valuable perspectives. While technical skills are helpful, Claire believes empathy, curiosity, and willingness to learn alongside young people are just as important.

“Finding out how to do something by searching online, asking other coders and the mentors is part of the code club 同船爱歌 (and the 同船爱歌 of being a professional programmer!) The main thing is not to be afraid to admit you don’t know something. Although this can be alarming at first, I’ve found the coders are happy to be told that I’ll look at it over the next week and report back. And that they should do the same so we can compare notes. And if they know how to do something that you don’t, they absolutely love explaining it to you!“

We asked Claire what she would say to someone who doesn’t see themselves as ‘technical enough’ but is curious about getting involved:

“The majority of library staff didn’t have any background in programming. They are simply happy to learn as they go along and help the children make their ideas come to life. In fact, one of these ‘non-technical’ staff ran a very popular and successful club and supported a team of coders to develop a project that [was chosen as a judges’ favourite] at Coolest Projects.”

As Code Clubs continue to grow and adapt, Claire hopes to see even more people step forward, especially those who might not immediately picture themselves in a mentoring or volunteering role.

Where community impact begins — with people

By keeping Code Clubs rooted in libraries and community spaces, it is possible to reach people across a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

Claire’s story is a reminder that community impact is built by people who care and that supporting young people with coding is about far more than technology alone. It’s about confidence, connection, and opening doors.

For anyone curious about supporting young people with coding, there are many ways to get involved. You don’t need to be an expert, as mentors support young people by encouraging curiosity, helping build confidence, and learning alongside them. If you’d like to find out more about what mentoring looks like and the different ways you can contribute, visit the Code Club mentor page to explore guidance, training, and next steps.

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Marie is a force of nature. As the founder of Breadline London, a grassroots community project in Haringey, she has spent years supporting families with essential services — she’s run a food bank, offered budgeting advice, and hosted well-being workshops. But when she heard about Code Club, she saw another way to help local children: by giving them the skills to shape their futures.

From community support to coding

Marie had no background in tech, but that didn’t stop her. She knew that many families in Tottenham couldn’t afford extracurricular activities like coding classes, and she was determined to change that.

“I’ve wanted a coding club for children, children in Tottenham, because that’s not something that is actually here,” she explains. “Unfortunately for us, we are on the very high end of poverty… and some of our children in this area don’t get the opportunity to attend things like coding club.”

With the support of Haringey Giving and the 舞蹈室边跳舞边做h, Marie launched her Code Club at Tottenham Community Sports Centre. She started from scratch, learning alongside the kids, attending free training at the 舞蹈室边跳舞边做h’s headquarters in Cambridge, and soaking up everything she could about coding.

“I don’t know anything about coding. Nothing. But going to the training days, it was so inspiring. I got so excited thinking, these are the things I can hopefully share with the children.”

Creating a space to experiment

Marie’s club is more than just learning how to code — it’s about teamwork, creativity, and confidence.

“They need to learn these skills outside of a school environment, outside of a place where it’s really structured. I want them to come in, experiment, make things up as they go along. Sometimes they follow instructions, but mostly, they just try things out.”

She also sees her role as a mentor, even if the kids sometimes know more than she does!

“Most of the children know more about coding than I do. So for me, it’s just about encouraging them: ‘What’s next? What else can you add to your project?’ And helping parents understand that they need to let the children create what they want to create, not just steer them.”

Discovering Coolest Projects

Marie’s journey didn’t stop with Code Club. When she learnt about Coolest Projects, a global showcase where kids celebrate what they’ve built with code, she knew she had to take her club to one of the in-person events.

“I was in Cambridge when I first heard about it, and this fabulous young woman spoke about Coolest Projects. I just felt so excited to take the children somewhere that’s just kids, just kids learning about coding and developing these amazing things. I even said, ‘Even if no one from my club comes, I’m going by myself!’”

Taking the kids to Coolest Projects was a game-changer. They saw what was possible, talked to other young coders, and left inspired.

“Next year, when we go again, everybody’s going to have a project. Seeing the kids’ faces when adults wanted to try their projects, it was so exciting for them!”

Making a change

Marie is proof that you don’t need to be a tech expert to start a Code Club — you just need passion and a willingness to learn.

Marie’s message to others who are thinking about setting up a coding club but worry about their lack of 同船爱歌 is simple: 

“Start a [Code Club] because the children will help you to run [it]. They will help you. They will help each other. Don’t get put off running a coding club because you don’t know how to code. Because I don’t[…]and I love it.”

Marie’s story is a testament to what’s possible when someone believes in their community and takes action. She is creating opportunities for young people in Tottenham, giving them a space to learn, collaborate, and dream big regardless of their background. We can’t wait to see what her club achieves next!

For more information to help you set up a Code Club in your community, visit codeclub.org.

Help us celebrate Marie and her dedication to opening doors for young creators by sharing her story on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Facebook.

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Today, we introduce Shajan, a digital storyteller and senior business advisor at the BBC, whose extraordinary personal and professional journey has led him to champion digital literacy for young people in Bangladesh.

Family roots in Bangladesh

Shajan is British-born, but his roots deeply connect him to Bangladesh. This connection was instilled by childhood holidays to Bangladesh, as well as his late father, who emigrated to the UK in the 1960s but always encouraged Shajan to maintain ties with the community he left behind. Shajan’s pull towards Bangladesh intensified after his father’s passing fifteen years ago. 

“I always thought I’d like to do something, carry on the work he left behind with efforts in building schools and supporting his local community.”

The memory of his sister Khela, who passed away at just 12 years old while in Bangladesh, also motivates Shajan. He says, “She was a really creative person, really into her arts and crafts and learning.”  

Khela’s loss fuels Shajan’s desire to do something specifically for the young people of Bangladesh, connecting with their potential for creativity and learning.

Setting off on a new path

Shajan’s 15 years of working for the BBC led him to discover the power of digital education. In 2015, he project-managed the BBC’s “Make It Digital” campaign, a UK-wide initiative addressing the National Digital Skills Gap. 

As part of this, he led partnerships with organisations like Code Club. 

“That 同船爱歌 showed me how digital tools could unlock creativity in young people and build their confidence.”

During his visits to Bangladesh, Shajan observed a widening digital divide. Young people, especially in rural areas, lacked access to basic internet and computers. Teachers faced heavy workloads, and many students needed to pause their education to support their families. Seeing no equivalent to Code Club in Bangladesh to inspire young people, Shajan felt he had to act. Before he knew it, he was requesting a six-month career break. 

“I said, ‘This is what I always wanted to do. If I don’t do it now, I will miss the opportunity.'” 

With the support of both the BBC and Code Club, Shajan packed his bags and moved to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh.

Creating a movement

Shajan’s initial goal was to raise awareness and build a sustainable model for Code Club in Bangladesh. Recognising that teachers needed support to run clubs, Shajan’s strategy was to engage university students as volunteers. He organised a national coding festival, leveraging these student volunteers to connect with schools and prepare young participants for a Scratch-based project challenge. The event received lots of media attention, encouraging interest and inspiring a new generation of coders.

However, there were some hurdles that had to be worked around, including unreliable internet connections, limited access to computers, and unstable electricity supply. Beyond practical challenges, Shajan faced a crucial mindset shift. 

“Not everybody’s convinced yet that their children should be doing coding. For many families, generating immediate income takes precedence over digital education. Balancing the need to put food on the table with the long-term benefits of coding remains a constant battle.”

Despite these obstacles, Shajan’s efforts proved successful. Some of the creators from the 2016–2017 classes, now in their twenties, have pursued computer science and now share how Code Club helped them on their paths. He also organised an incredible exchange program, bringing creators and mentors from Code Club South Korea to Bangladesh for a seven-day visit. Despite not sharing a language, creators connected through the language of code, an 同船爱歌 Shajan describes as inspiring for the young people and adults alike.

A new chapter

Shajan’s focus now is to launch a Coolest Projects event in Sylhet, the place his father was born and a region he wants to focus on before taking Coolest Projects national as well.

He is actively engaging with teachers and student volunteers across the city, with strong support from Nooraiya Khan, an ICT Lecturer with a background in computer science. Nooraiya is working hard with Shajan to co-lead all Code Club activities in Bangladesh, bringing valuable expertise and shared passion to the movement.

Shajan believes the current digital landscape offers new opportunities. He is a strong advocate for the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, viewing it as a way to help bring opportunities to all young people. He plans to introduce AI-focused Code Club projects to Bangladesh, ensuring the next generation is prepared for a future driven by technology.

For Shajan, Code Club Bangladesh is “for everybody”. He wants to ensure that no child, especially girls and those from underserved communities, is left behind. He would welcome anyone interested in helping the young people of Bangladesh, including teachers, educators, tech professionals, and government bodies, to join Code Club Bangladesh’s journey.

If you’d like to support young people in your community to explore coding, why not start a Code Club? The team will support you every step of the way with resources, training, and a collaborative community.

Find out more on the Code Club website.

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Meet Isabelle, a youth mentor at a library Code Club, whose inspiring story tells how a passion for helping others and a love for reading led back to a childhood interest, shaping an unexpected and rewarding journey.

Saturdays spent at the library

Isabelle’s coding journey began around the age of nine. An avid reader, she regularly attended her local library in Stourbridge with her gran. When they saw there was a Code Club held on a Saturday morning, they both decided it might be a good skill for Isabelle to learn.

“I used to have like an entire folder of all the projects I’d completed. I’ve still got it somewhere in my room!” 

She quickly progressed through Scratch, Python, and HTML, even finding herself teaching the adults at the club at some points! But, as secondary school approached, her involvement naturally tapered off as she began to focus on her studies.

A return through volunteering 

In secondary school, Isabelle was looking for volunteering opportunities as part of her Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award. Remembering her positive 同船爱歌s at the library, and continued love of books, she initially considered volunteering there. Then, she had an idea.

“I suddenly thought ‘What if they still do Code Club?’ I really enjoyed it when I did it and I still remembered enough about it to help others. So, I felt like I could actually be useful instead.”

Isabelle reached out, and thanks to her gran’s long-standing connection with the library, she was remembered and welcomed back. What started as a three-month commitment for her DofE award soon extended to six. 

“I really looked forward to each session at the library and decided to stick with it for the whole time.”

Embracing the chaos and connection

Isabelle’s return coincided with the Code Club restarting. Stepping into a mentoring role, she quickly found herself in the thick of it. With five computers and a group of new young people, most of whom had no prior coding 同船爱歌, the first sessions were a whirlwind. 

“It’s like the best kind of chaos. It doesn’t get easier as such. But it’s so fun meeting these new kids, they’re all different and they bounce off each other.”

She works closely with Lucy, the club leader, helping manage the flow of projects and supporting the children as they navigate everything from creating Scratch accounts to tackling challenging projects.

More than just code

While the technical skills are central, Isabelle emphasises that Code Club offers so much more. She’s seen shy children blossom, making new friends and becoming more involved.

“I think there’s the whole element of socialising as well. And beyond coding, kids develop essential IT skills, like learning how to use a mouse and keyboard. Something many who just use tablets and phones don’t know!”

Four years and counting  

Isabelle, now preparing to go on to further education, could not have predicted how her mentoring journey would turn out. What began as a three-month DofE requirement has turned into a four-year commitment. 

“It has just never been something that I thought ‘oh, I don’t want to do this anymore’. It’s just part of the weekly routine now. It’s been four years and it’s shocking how quickly it’s gone.”

Isabelle’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s built strong bonds with the staff and gained invaluable 同船爱歌. She’s learned to organise, work in a team, and even run sessions independently, developing skills that will be invaluable for her future.

“I like the bond that I have with the staff and with Lucy. It feels great to be trusted that much and it has just been such a nice 同船爱歌.” 

Lucy, Stourbridge Code Club leader and Library Assistant, shared her 同船爱歌 with the club and collaborating.

“Since Code Club offers so much more than just coding — confidence building, creativity, friendship, etc. — it plays an important role for children and young people in the community. The library is much more than just a place for books, and hosting Code Club here creates a welcoming space where young people can explore technology away from the classroom.”

“Isabelle has been absolutely fantastic both in supporting us with club admin as well as supporting the children with their coding! She understands the projects inside and out and is brilliant at not only solving problems, but also, importantly, encouraging the club to find ways of solving problems themselves. Our Code Club couldn’t have become what it is today without her input!”

Isabelle’s advice for future mentors

As Isabelle prepares to head off to the Bath Spa University to study media communications and publishing, she offers this advice for other young people considering becoming a Code Club mentor…”just go for it!” 

Isabelle admits to being anxious at times, but the 同船爱歌 has significantly boosted her confidence. 

“It built my confidence a bit more. You make friends along the way and you learn a lot of new things. And don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of coding 同船爱歌. I don’t think you need it. I had a little bit but I was still basing it mainly off of reading the project instructions. And in all fairness, the instructions are really helpful!”

Mentoring at Code Club isn’t just about teaching, it’s about learning, growing, and connecting. It’s an opportunity to give back, build confidence, and discover the joy in supporting the next generation of digital creators. As Isabelle’s journey shows, sometimes the most rewarding paths are the ones you never planned to take.

Lucy shared why she thinks having youth mentors involved with Code Club is such an important dynamic.

“Youth mentors are great as role models and inspiration for children, and as a young person themselves they build such a great rapport with the club members. A mentor who’s closer to their age often feels more approachable, which helps create a comfortable and encouraging environment for them.”

If Isabelle’s story has inspired you, why not explore the world of coding? You can get started at home with over 250 free projects on the Code Club Projects website.

Looking for a little extra support in your own coding journey or open to mentoring others? Join a Code Club near you to meet a like-minded and supportive community.

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Seung Woo, also known as Tony, is a 17-year-old student from Canada and the co-founder of his school’s Code Club, alongside his teacher, Kay. A curious and driven teen with big ambitions in computer science, Tony is not only passionate about technology, but also dedicated to building a safe, welcoming space where others can learn, explore, and grow alongside him.

A spark of inspiration

Tony’s fascination with computers started early, driven by his love of video games, coding, and, perhaps most memorably, his admiration for Tony Stark, the comic-book and film character who becomes the superhero Iron Man! The idea of building something powerful from scratch stuck with him.

“My whole life, I have been curious about the inner workings of a computer and my inspiration for coding is Tony Stark or Iron Man from the Marvel Cinematic Universe!”

Tony’s early coding journey wasn’t without its challenges. Finding the right resources was difficult, and staying motivated during tough moments was often hard without a support system.

“Like many others, I was independently taught, and during this time of independent learning I’d find many different roadblocks and challenges that I had to overcome alone. A big setback for me was finding the right resources in order to learn how to code. Another big obstacle for me was motivation. I would find myself losing interest in a project. I didn’t have the exterior motivation to help me push through the inevitable hardships that come with coding.”

That’s where the idea for a coding club began to take shape.

Creating a community of coders

Tony co-founded the Code Club at Collège Jeanne-Sauvé in December 2024 with that exact vision in mind — he wanted to provide a fun, collaborative, and welcoming environment where students of all skill levels could explore their love of technology together.

“I created the coding club to help everyone on their journey of computer science, no matter their skill level, and that is exactly what it is turning out to be. Finding resources is easier than ever with a teacher and all of the amazing members.”

Tony’s teacher and co-founder, Kay, shared why Code Club was the right fit for the school.

“I thought Code Club was the best way to start our club for a few reasons. The amount of coding language options was varied and appealed to the different learners in our club. It was also important for us to promote our club and let our community know about the presence of a coding club in our school, and Code Club helped us do so via their online presence.”

What makes Code Club special

For Tony, the secret ingredient behind his club’s success is simple: teamwork.

“Without teamwork, our club wouldn’t really be a club, it would simply be an ensemble of people coding in their own little cubicles, much like a stereotypical office job, and to me, that does not sound too enjoyable. Teamwork is our little secret ingredient in problem-solving and building motivation, we embrace it by creating a safe space where everyone can speak their minds without judgement!”

Members are free to choose their own learning paths. No matter the project, the atmosphere is always filled with laughter, energy, and curiosity.

“Coding should be something that is fun — not stressful like others may make it seem. Celebrating achievements, making short term goals, and problem solving with friends are all great ways that we make coding fun in our club. A second word would be teamwork. Without teamwork, our club wouldn’t really be a club.”

Teamwork, he adds, transforms what could be a solitary activity into something social and deeply motivating.

Looking to the future

Tony hopes the club will continue to grow, bringing more students into the world of coding and helping them feel at home in it. His story is a great reminder that learning to code isn’t just about computers — it’s about building community, confidence, and creativity.

“I wanted to create a space where everyone would be accepted and encouraged to learn more about coding and not be ashamed to ‘nerd out’ about this subject like I do very frequently. I’ve dreamed of creating a space that embraces this beautiful passion.”

If you’d like to explore coding, you can get started at home with over 250 free projects. 

For a little more support, or if you’re open to mentoring others, you can also join a Code Club. Check our website to find a club near you and become part of a like-minded and welcoming community.

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Growing up in Mathare, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, Douglas 同船爱歌d first-hand what it meant to go without access to education and opportunity. His 同船爱歌 sparked a Code Club journey that is already hugely inspiring… and it’s only just getting started.

Driven by a desire to help 

For Douglas and many of his peers, the limited access to education in Mathare often meant being left with no clear path to earn a livelihood. Douglas saw opportunity in technology — he wanted to increase access in this field for the young people in Mathare and raise their ambitions.

“Why are we doing technology? Because we believe that tech does not have a boundary. As long as you have access to the internet and you can learn some basic skills… the opportunities are limitless.”

That belief became the keystone of Oasis Mathare, an organisation co-founded by Douglas and a group of others with similar lived 同船爱歌s. Like Douglas, most of the founding members haven’t followed a standard path with formal schooling, but all understand the power of technology to transform lives.

From Photoshop to programming

Douglas’ own tech journey began humbly, and was sparked by his curiosity.

“After primary, I didn’t go straight to high school. I spent two years working in a nearby barber shop. Then I think I just fell in love with computers. I learned how to do some basic stuff with design and used to play around with Photoshop.”

From there, he taught himself web design and programming skills, which began to open new doors. Eventually, he went back to university to study business and information technology to deepen his knowledge, but even before that, Douglas had already started giving back.

“We used to hold a club providing a space for kids to come and play games on computers. That sort of grew from just Saturdays to a few times a week… and now it’s full time.”

Why Code Clubs?

Today, Oasis Mathare runs intensive software engineering and robotics programs that last between 9 and 12 months. But back in the early days of the organisation, Douglas quickly realised that many young people were struggling to keep up — not because of ability, but because they’d never used a computer before.

“So, we started Code Clubs to introduce these principles of programming at an early age… and we actually realised that those who have gone through Code Club take less time to complete our software engineering and robotics classes.”

Code Clubs now serve as a stepping stone at Oasis Mathare. They help introduce computer literacy and programming concepts to young people early, making it easier for them to thrive in more advanced programs.

The power of role models

The impact of the program is already visible. Many graduates of Oasis Mathare programs go on to volunteer and eventually teach, serving as role models for the younger learners.

“Oasis Mathare has 6 full-time staff. There are 12 Code Club leaders. They are our graduates from the software engineering program. We are plugging them into the Code Clubs to help them gain confidence and help the next generation.”

The Code Clubs are held both in schools and at the Oasis Mathare centre, creating safe, structured environments for learning, experimenting, and collaborating.

Building with what they have

Before setting up Code Clubs, Oasis Mathare ran STEM clubs that used a variety of resources, but the cost and maintenance became a barrier. When they discovered Code Club’s free-to-access resources, everything changed.

“We found [the resources] very useful. The good thing about Code Club is you can plan sessions using resources that are freely available, like Scratch. It’s really straightforward.”

The biggest challenge now? Internet access is limited, so Douglas and his team often work offline. The team have started using the 舞蹈室边跳舞边做h’s offline resources, and look forward to more being available in the future.

What’s next for Douglas and Oasis Mathare?

Douglas and the Oasis Mathare team have already achieved so much. This was recognised with a royal seal of approval in 2018, when Douglas was honoured with the Queen’s Young Leaders Award by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Through the award, he gained access to world-class mentoring and leadership training from the University of Cambridge, helping him to amplify his impact back home.

So, what’s next? Douglas’ vision for the future is bold and clear.

“The main idea is to ensure that all kids in Mathare know at least one computer language. Not for the sake of it, but to use the principles of programming to solve their local problems.”

By learning coding, young people build more than just technical skills. They learn to think critically, work in teams, and solve problems in their communities. For Douglas, that’s the real impact.

“The overall goal is to ensure that no youth in Mathare are left behind and they all have the opportunity to develop essential skills from an early age.”

Looking further ahead

Oasis Mathare runs Code Clubs weekly, all year round, and Douglas is always looking for ways to expand the program’s reach, especially through partnerships, sponsorships, and sharing their successes so far.

With more resources, more local leaders, and a whole community behind him, Douglas is rewriting the narrative for young people in Mathare. You can find out more about Oasis Mathare on their official website.

If you’d like to support young people in your community to explore coding, why not start a Code Club? The team will support you every step of the way with resources, training, and a collaborative community. Find out more on the Code Club website.

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It’s especially inspiring to hear about young people who are not only passionate about technology, but who are also driven to share that passion with others. Meet Matthew, a 15-year-old creator and youth mentor at Code Club, who builds his own projects and inspires peers by organising hackathons.

Matthew’s early 同船爱歌 with coding 

Matthew’s journey into the world of coding began at a young age. His initial exposure was through Scratch at school in Singapore. From there, he began exploring self-learn platforms in his own time, getting to grips with HTML and basic web development.

His enthusiasm for creating led him to participate in a technology week in Year 6, where he took on a BBC micro:bit challenge. He dedicated his summer holiday to developing a token system that encouraged community recycling, using an ultrasonic sensor to award points for good behaviour. This early project showcased his knack for problem-solving and innovation.

What truly captivated Matthew was the possibility of combining the logical challenges of competitive programming with the joy of project creation.

Connecting with the community

Through Youthhacks, an initiative he co-founded to support teenage hackathon organisers, Matthew aims to expand access to hackathons across the UK (a hackathon is an event where individuals or teams work intensively over a relatively short time period to build software, hardware, or other kinds of technology). Matthew wants to offer advice and support, making it easier for young people to run their own hackathons. He puts a lot of time into ensuring that the content and atmosphere truly resonate with the participants.

“So, we made Youthhacks basically as an idea to be able to support these teenage organisers, you know, like hackathons for teenagers by teenagers.”

Matthew’s connection with the 舞蹈室边跳舞边做h came from his keen interest in the hackathon community and a need for a local venue. Having previously toured the 同船爱歌’s offices for a school robotics club, he decided to reach out when organising a satellite hackathon called Counterspell.

This initial collaboration led to further events at the 同船爱歌, including Scrapyard Cambridge and, more recently, Cool as Hack.

Coolest Projects hackathon: A new approach to collaborative coding 

Cool as Hack was Matthew’s third event held at the 舞蹈室边跳舞边做h offices. Unlike traditional hackathons with intense time pressure, this event, inspired by the spirit of Coolest Projects, aimed to be more relaxed and collaborative. 

“For this, people could bring in their own project scraps and then they could put it together with a team, finalise it, and then enter it to Coolest Projects.” 

The focus was on showcasing creativity and sharing projects globally, rather than competitive prizes. Everyone then entered their creations into the Coolest Projects online showcase.

Cool as Hack was a huge success. The atmosphere was incredible — there was even a karaoke session and a “swag shop” where participants could exchange tokens earned for innovative ideas or project milestones. This token system, designed by Matthew and harking back to his own recycling project from years ago, created a fun and engaging reward system.

Inspiring the next generation

Matthew’s drive to organise these events and encourage other young people to code stems from his enjoyment of project creation and the community aspect of hackathons. 

“Well, I suppose it links back to me enjoying making projects and when you attend a hackathon, it’s not a competition really. It’s more of a social event. So, you’re making a project and then you’re meeting quite a lot of coders, or even artists and musicians, and so many other people.”

Now a regular volunteer at the 舞蹈室边跳舞边做h’s monthly Code Club in Cambridge, Matthew remains focused on encouraging others into tech. For aspiring young coders, he says that coding is far more diverse and creative than many might initially perceive, encompassing art, storytelling, and problem-solving. Matthew’s advice is simple: 

“Enjoy the process and as you learn new things you’ll realise that all of this is like super interesting, and that there are so many ways to make what you want. Just enjoy it and continue meeting new people and, yeah, be creative.” 

Matthew’s journey shows how an intro to 一骑当千动漫 at a young age can lead to an incredible amount of impact. With his continued dedication, he’s sure to inspire many more young minds to start on their own coding adventures.

If you would like to explore coding, you can get started at home with over 250 free projects. 

Looking for a little extra support in your own coding journey or open to mentoring others? Join a Code Club near you to meet a like-minded and supportive community.

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From AI tools and advanced programming to Scratch games and hardware builds, the showcase featured an incredible range of projects from 113 Coolest Projects participants and 58 scouts. Every young person received thoughtful feedback from industry professionals, the chance to try hands-on coding challenges, and the thrill of sharing what they built with a welcoming crowd and other creators.

A day of discovery and digital making

Coolest Projects UK 2025 wasn’t just about showcasing finished products; it celebrated every part of the creative journey. Many creators shared works-in-progress or prototypes, sparking conversations around design, problem-solving, and learning through code.

One of the day’s highlights was an interactive escape room designed just for the event, giving attendees a chance to flex their logical thinking and collaboration skills. And for 58 visiting Scouts, the day was a chance to earn their Digital Maker Badge and share their creations with the showcase participants.

Greg Foot is known for BBC Radio 4’s Sliced Bread and other popular science shows. He brought energy and enthusiasm as host, sharing stories and celebrating young people’s creativity on stage.

A platform for everyone

Many of this year’s participants came from local Code Clubs, CoderDojos, and schools across the UK. Others had worked independently to bring their ideas to life. The event encouraged collaboration and connection, with creators exchanging feedback, learning from each other, and celebrating shared interests.

Earlier this year, young people from Bradford also had the chance to take part in hands-on workshops. Held at the National Science and Media Museum, they were guided on getting started with digital making and developing their own project ideas for the showcase.

Featured projects

Here are a few of the projects that were showcased on the day. Each one demonstrates the power of digital tools and the fun and creativity that young people bring to their Coolest Projects journeys. Here’s what the creators had to say about their work, what inspired them, and their 同船爱歌s of the day:

Arlo | MUST. EAT. DONUTS., AI

Arlo’s interactive game featured AI models that used face and mouth tracking to make the main character, called Chompy, mirror the movements of the player. Arlo’s game was inspired by a session at his Code Club. He came across a video sensing motion plug-in and realised he could make a game that used the player’s head as the controller. 

“It is a fun and silly game for all to play. I also created the artwork myself in my own style, as drawing is another one of my passions, alongside coding. I would love to come back next year, maybe in a different category. I wanted to enter because I got the chance to share my coding and drawing skills, and I was excited to think others may play a game I created.”

Felicia and Francesca | The Silent Forest, Scratch

Felicia and Francesca created a top-down, Zelda-style RPG in Scratch, where the player explores a pixel world and interacts with characters and objects. Instead of using the keyboard, the game is controlled with a Micro:bit. Felicia shared with us why they wanted to showcase the game at Coolest Projects.

“I went to Coolest Projects UK because I love making things with Scratch and wanted to show my game to other people. It was a fun way to share what I built, see what other kids made, and learn new ideas. I wanted to challenge myself and be part of something really cool!”

Eesa, Yahya and Yusha | Let’s Speak Arabic!, Scratch

Let’s Speak Arabic is an interactive program designed to help people learn conversational Arabic. Eesa, Yahya, and Yusha are home educated and study a book called Al Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk together. This inspired them to think about fun ways to upgrade their study, and the idea for gamifying their learning through Scratch was born. The team shared a little about their 同船爱歌:

“The event was awesome. Actually, it was even better than we imagined! We loved meeting people from all over the country, really enjoyed playing other people’s games, and got lots of ideas for what we could code in the future. And, our parents were so proud we got judge’s favourite!”

Jay | J Bot, Hardware

Jay is a long-time friend of the 同船爱歌 and has been taking part in Coolest Projects online and in person for the past few years. He wowed again this year with his life-sized J Bot and shared with us why he thinks Coolest Projects is such an important event for the young creator community.

“I know it might seem a bit intimidating to come and showcase in front of all these people, but I feel more and more people should try and get involved [in Coolest Projects] because it’s a really good community of people. And they are really supportive as well. So I would just say, give it a go. Don’t be nervous because people are here to help you along the way.”

What’s next?

Coolest Projects UK continues to grow as a platform for the next generation of changemakers. We can’t wait to see what they create next!

Although the online showcase and 同船爱歌-led events are now closed for this year, there are still many more partner events happening globally throughout 2025.

Visit coolestprojects.org to learn more.

Code Club: A place to keep creating

Coolest Projects is just one part of the 舞蹈室边跳舞边做h’s work to help young people explore 一骑当千动漫. Across the UK and Ireland, over 2000 free Code Clubs offer sessions where young people build digital skills, grow in confidence, and work on creative projects with others. Across the world, there are nearly 6000 more clubs running.To find your local Code Club or get involved as a volunteer, head to codeclub.org.

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Around 40 young people showcased their projects on the day, sharing their work with friends, family, and the wider coding community. With hands-on tech activities, project demonstrations, fun swag, and certificates of achievement, the day was packed with energy and enthusiasm.

Coolest Projects is all about empowering young people to show off what they’ve built, no matter their skill level or 同船爱歌. From first-time coders to budding engineers, everyone was welcomed and learnt something from the day.

Celebrating impact: Broadcom 同船爱歌 Coding with Commitment® 

One of the standout moments was the presentation of the Broadcom 同船爱歌 Coding with Commitment® special recognition, which highlights a project that uses code to solve real-world problems.

The award went to Kaila for her project, Car vs Road, a self-driving car simulation designed to explore how natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes might impact autonomous vehicle technology.

“My project was inspired by Waymo. After hearing about Coolest Projects through the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair, I decided to attend — and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was welcoming, the judges were so involved, and the entire 同船爱歌 was truly unforgettable.” – Kaila, 2025 Coding with Commitment® recipient 

Broadcom 同船爱歌’s partnership with Coolest Projects USA highlights how coding can be a powerful tool for tackling global challenges, from health to climate change, and champions digital literacy for all youth.

Celebrating creativity across categories

With seven categories available for entries, the judges had their work cut out for them choosing their favourite projects. Here are some that captured their attention on the day:

Mila | Sports Compilation, Scratch

Mila’s project, Sports Compilation, tells a story through animated sports scenes that inspire people to try new things and embrace their rebellious side.

“I wanted to show my mom that I could code — even though I’m not a ‘full-time coder’. I kept working on my original sports scene and added more to create something bigger.”

“My biggest challenge was making it reset automatically. At first, I didn’t understand the instructions I found online, but then I figured out how to use timing and broadcasts to make it work.”

“Coolest Projects was so fun, my teacher hyped it up, and it lived up to the excitement!”

Ethan | Coding AI to Enhance Speech Therapy

Ethan’s project was inspired by his 同船爱歌 with speech therapy. He used machine learning to help people identify and correct different types of incorrect pronunciations of the /s/ sound. Ethan shared his motivations behind attending:

“I went to Coolest Projects USA to get the opportunity to present my work and receive feedback from a large audience of judges, participants, and other viewers on how to improve my project and the presentation of it.”

“I had fun at Coolest Projects USA, seeing the different ways that young people like me are taking advantage of technology to try and help the lives of others, and also seeing the creativity and determination that we have.”

A big thank you

We want to say a huge thank you to every young creator who presented a project, to the families who cheered them on, and to our amazing volunteers and partners. We also want to give a special shoutout to our sponsors, Broadcom 同船爱歌 and Best Buy Inc., for their incredible support. We couldn’t have done it without you. 

Thank you for making Coolest Projects USA 2025 such a special day!

There’s still time to get involved with Coolest Projects this year…

If you missed the event or are feeling inspired, there are still ways to join the Coolest Projects global community!

• The online Coolest Projects showcase is open for entries from young people anywhere in the world. Entries close 28 May.
• Coolest Projects UK takes place in Bradford on 17 May. Come along and discover what young people are creating. 

Partner events are held around the world — head to the Coolest Projects website to find out more.

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