Oakridge Codefest 2026: Fostering Innovation Through Student Technology Challenges
In recent years, interschool technology competitions have emerged as crucial platforms for encouraging innovation and applied learning among students. By integrating coding, design thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, these events effectively bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application. They bring together young learners from diverse academic environments, enabling them to exchange ideas, experiment with emerging technologies, and develop practical solutions to contemporary challenges.
The Evolution of Student-Led Technology Challenges
The growing emphasis on interdisciplinary learning has significantly strengthened the role of such initiatives in nurturing future-ready skills. With themes increasingly centered on areas like digital wellbeing, sustainability, robotics, and cybersecurity, student-led technology challenges are evolving beyond conventional competitions. They are transforming into experiential learning environments that promote critical thinking, creativity, and responsible innovation at an early stage.
Oakridge Codefest 2026: A Celebration of Inquiry and Applied Knowledge
Oakridge International School, renowned for offering the IB curriculum in Bengaluru, hosted the 9th edition of Oakridge Codefest 2026. The event brought together over 160 student innovators from leading schools across the region. Rooted in the strength of its IB continuum, the event reflected Oakridge's deep commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and meaningful experiential learning.
Oakridge Codefest is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of inquiry, critical thinking, and applied knowledge. Designed as a team-based interschool technology challenge, the event encouraged students to collaborate, problem-solve, and develop scalable solutions to real-world issues. This year's themes included:
- HealthTech and Digital Wellbeing
- Environmental Monitoring and Climate Tech
- Robotics and Embedded Systems
- Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology
- Cybersecurity
These areas demanded both technical mastery and social responsibility from participants. Participating schools included Greenwood High International School, The International School Bangalore (TISB), 10X International School, Ekya School, along with Oakridge International School.
Standout Innovations and Student Projects
Among the standout innovations presented at the event were:
- A manhole-cleaning robot designed to eliminate the dangers of manual sewer cleaning
- An AR-glass assistive solution supporting dementia patients
- A traffic safety alert system using computer vision and ultrasonic sensors
- A multimodal AI model capable of detecting AI-generated text, images, and audio through transfer learning with heat-map visualization
These projects showcased how strong academic foundations translate into impactful, real-world solutions that address pressing societal needs.
Student Perspectives and Experiences
"Codefest challenged us to think beyond coding," shared participating student Aishwarya Pagadalaa. "We had to consider users, sustainability, and real-world implementation. It truly felt like building something meaningful."
Another student participant added, "The experience strengthened our research, analytical, and presentation skills. Competing at this level showed us what academic excellence looks like in action."
Celebrating Excellence and Achievements
Oakridge International School secured impressive results at the competition:
- First and second position in the Junior category
- Second position (tie) in the Senior category
The school earned total prize winnings of ₹55,000. Winners from other international schools were also recognized across categories in both junior and senior divisions.
Event Support and Distinguished Participants
The event was supported by Credila and graced by Chief Guest Abhishek Srivastava, Senior Engineering Manager at Uber. The distinguished judging panel included Ashish Nagpal, Baalateja Kataru, Shaunak Srivastava, and Nirvan Ashish, who evaluated projects based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, and real-world relevance.
Educational Leadership Insights
Arshdeep Kaur, Head of Design and Computer Science at Oakridge International School, reflected, "Experiences like Codefest demonstrate how academic excellence within the IB framework prepares students not just for examinations, but for leadership and impact."
Kavita Sukhani, School Principal, remarked, "Oakridge Codefest exemplifies what academic excellence within the IB continuum truly means—students applying knowledge with confidence, creativity, and purpose. Platforms like this empower learners to think globally, act responsibly, and truly Create Your Future."
Commitment to Future-Ready Education
As part of Nord Anglia Education, Oakridge International School continues to focus on combining structured academics with experiential learning opportunities aimed at preparing students for future academic and professional pathways. The success of Oakridge Codefest 2026 underscores the importance of such initiatives in developing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
This article has been produced on behalf of Nord Anglia by Times Internet's Spotlight team.
