Last week, ISA hosted its 5th annual Festival of Code, an event designed to spark a passion for coding and to highlight the message that anyone can learn to code. From 25 to 29 November, students explored coding through interactive, engaging activities rooted in creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Participants had access to 12 themed coding activities through the festival’s website. These activities allowed students to explore coding on their own terms, diving into areas that aligned with their interests, from AI-driven projects to coding in the context of music and science. Each student who took part received a certificate of completion, celebrating their commitment to learning and discovery. Check out the website here.

The Festival of Code website also featured videos from members of the broader ISA community who work or teach in technology fields. These stories provided students with insight into the exciting possibilities a future in coding can offer and served as a reminder that coding is a global language of opportunity.

One of the most anticipated events during the festival is the Meet a Coder activity, where high school students visit elementary students, teaching them coding basics through fun, interactive games. Younger students were thrilled to be taught by their older peers, and the experience fostered a spirit of community, mentorship, and shared learning. The excitement was palpable as elementary students grasped coding concepts while engaging in play, further demonstrating that coding is accessible to all ages.

Through coding, students improve their problem-solving abilities, sharpen logical thinking, and cultivate perseverance. It teaches them to break complex problems into manageable pieces and to think critically about solutions, preparing them with the most vital skill for the 21st century - digital literacy. Aligned with our values, coding makes our students knowledgeable thinkers, open-minded and reflective.

The Festival of Code gave students a chance to see how coding intertwines with diverse subjects like music, artificial intelligence, and science, proving that technology is a tool for innovation in every field.

ISA students also competed in two prominent coding contests - the Astro Pi contest and the Bebras Challenge. In the Bebras Challenge, 11 students earned prestigious Gold Certificates and were ranked in the top 10% among 1000s of others in that age range. The Challenge results showcase the exceptional problem-solving skills and mastery of computational thinking that the students have developed.

The organiser of the festival is our Computer Science Teacher, Shashi Krishna. He commented: "The Festival of Code has become a highlight of our school year, and it’s exciting to see how students from all grade levels embrace coding, creativity, and teamwork. Watching our high school students teach and inspire the younger ones is a reminder that coding helps us build confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that will last a lifetime."

The Festival of Code reinforced the idea that coding is a skill for everyone - a tool to express ideas, solve problems, and create meaningful change. Through Festival of Code students are not only learning more for careers in technology but are also cultivating resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of learning.