The OctoStudio Coding Contest in Uganda is an exciting initiative aimed at empowering children and youth with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital age. Organized by the Creative Child Foundation in partnership with Makerere University Innovation Pod, Makerere Engineering Society & other local partners, the contest introduces young learners to the world of creative coding through OctoStudio—an innovative app developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten research group at the MIT Media Lab, which also created Scratch.

Who can Participate?

The contest targets children aged 7-18 from underserved communities, including slum areas and refugee camps, encouraging them to design creative solutions to real-world challenges using the OctoStudio platform. By participating, students will improve their problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. The initiative aligns with the National Development Plan (NDP) IV, supporting Uganda’s vision of building an innovative, knowledge-based economy.

Why Participate in the OctoStudio Coding Contest?

Develop Essential 21st-Century Skills: Participants will gain hands-on experience with creative coding, problem-solving, critical thinking, and digital literacy. These skills are critical for navigating the evolving digital world and future career paths.
Empowerment Through Innovation: By using OctoStudio, young learners have the opportunity to create real-world solutions to community challenges, contributing meaningfully to societal development while exploring their creative potential.
Accessible & Inclusive Learning: The contest provides an inclusive platform for children and youth from underserved communities, including those with limited access to technology. OctoStudio’s mobile-friendly platform ensures that everyone can participate, regardless of their access to traditional computing resources.
Collaboration and Networking: Participants will collaborate with peers, mentors, and professionals, fostering teamwork and building networks that can support future academic and career opportunities.
Recognition and Prizes: Outstanding projects will be recognized with awards, certificates, and opportunities to showcase their work at national and international platforms, highlighting Uganda's young tech talent.

NOTE: Participants must be passionate about technology, and creating solutions that can contribute to achieving the SDGs.

Training workshops

Our mentors will facilitate a 60-minute training workshop in each school, equipping 60 learners with the creative coding skills required to compete in the National Coding Contest. Learners will then have time to develop meaningful projects aligned with this year's theme. Only one winning team per school will be selected to present their project at the contest, where the best schools will be crowned winners.

Projects developed during the contest will be showcased on www.kidsdiy.org and will automatically enter the competition for the People's Choice Award. The public will be invited to vote by liking their favorite project video, helping to determine the most popular creation.

Number	Primary Schools	Secondary Schools
1	GreenHill Primary School, Buwaate	Nabisunsa Girls School
2	Peak Primary School, Ntinda	Kyambogo College School
3	MST Junior School	Caltec Academy, Makerere
4	Makerere Primary School	Comprehensive College Kitetikka
5	Yudesi Primary School	Our Lady of Africa SS Namilyango
6	Maama Junior School, Malaba	Seeta High School
7	Harriet Hearts Pre-school & Daycare	Crane High School
8	St Francis Primary School, Ntinda	Mbogo Mixed Secondary School
9	Our Lady of Africa Bukasa	St Mary's College Kisubi
10	Victorious Primary School Mukono	Namilyango College
11	Kampala Parents School	Mt St Mary's College Namagunga
12	Lohana Academy	Tororo Girls School

Key Dates:

Training of mentors (Makerere University CEDAT conference hall): Happened on 8/10/2024 at 4.30pm EAT
Training of students at school: 7/10/2024 - 6/11/2024
National Coding Contest: 8/11/2024
Global contest: To be communicated

Greenhill Academy

Young scientists from Greenhill Primary School, Buwaate

Peak Primary School

Young scientists from Peak Primary School celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Caltec Academy, Makerere

Young scientists from Caltec Academy, Makerere celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Crane High School

Young scientists from Crane High School celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Team of mentors

Mentors from Makerere Innovation Society & Makerere Engineering Society celebrate with the Hon minister

Mbogo Mixed SS

Teachers from Mbogo Mixed Secondary School celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Comprehensive High School, Kitetikka

Young scientists from Comprehensive High School Kitetikka celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Our Lady of Africa SS

Young scientists from Our Lady of Africa SS Namilyango celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Makerere Primary School

Young scientists from Makerere Primary School celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Greenhill Primary School, Buwaate

Young scientists from Greenhill Primary School, Buwaate celebrating with the Hon Minister for youth & children

Hon Dr Balaam departs Makerere University

Some scientists, teachers, mentors, & parents give the Hon Minister for youth & children their special goodbyes.

Kunda & Timothy, MCs

Very outstanding young scientists Kunda Meletabel & Timothy Musoke guided the audience through all items of the agenda during the launch

Receiving the Hon minister

The Hon Dr Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi is received by the organising team led by Maya Amarri Mbabazi, the president(2023 - 2024) Creative Child Foundation

Moments during panel discussion

Young scientists learning from fellows during the panel discussion around the impact of creative learning in classrooms

Welcoming address from ED

The Executive Director at Creative Child Foundation, Mr Solomon Bwire welcomed the Hon minister & audience to the launch event at Makerere University - CEDAT

Chief guest addresses audience

Our esteemed chief guest encouraged young scientists to embrace emerging technologies and utilise their creativity superpowers to contribute to Uganda's growth

Vice & Chairperson, MES

The chairperson & vice chairperson of Makerere Engineering Society welcoming young scientists to the College of Engineering Design Art & Technology

A teacher sharing knowledge

A teacher from Greenhill Primary School, Buwaate sharing knowledge with the audience during panel discussion when OctoStudio was launching in Uganda

Panel of young scientists

A thought-provoking panel discussion among young scientists sharing their experience about how creative computing is impacting their classrooms

Creating with Code

Young scientists create meaningful projects using OctoStudio during its launch in Uganda. Learners were introduced to OctoStudio by a team from MIT Media Lab (remote) & the volunteering team on ground

“Innovation is the passport to the future, for tomorrow looks like what we define today.” “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn …and change.”

Coding contest in Uganda

We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of OctoStudio in Uganda (at Makerere University) & Rwanda (online), officially inaugurated by the Honorable Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs on the 9th day of August 2024.