Everything parents, students, and schools need to know about CodeFest 2026.
About the Competition
What is CodeFest 2026?▼
CodeFest 2026 is a one-day event on Saturday, 19 December 2026 at SMU (Singapore Management University). Students prepare an individual project before the event, present it to a judging panel in the morning, and attend the awards ceremony in the afternoon.
What is the theme?▼
UN Sustainable Development Goals x Generative AI. Each student picks ONE of the 17 UN SDGs and builds a project that tackles it using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude. Students state their chosen SDG in their presentation and in their README or prompt journal.
Is it individual or team?▼
Individual. Every student builds and presents their own project.
Categories & Eligibility
What are the categories?▼
AI Game Makers (ages 7 to 10): build an AI-assisted browser game about your chosen SDG. AI Web Builders (ages 11 to 14): build an interactive HTML/CSS/JavaScript website with generative AI built in, tackling your chosen SDG.
What is the age cut-off?▼
Age as of 19 December 2026. AI Game Makers is for ages 7 to 10; AI Web Builders is for ages 11 to 14.
Fees & Key Dates
How much does it cost?▼
S$95 per student.
What are the key dates?▼
Registration deadline: Saturday, 12 December 2026. Project submission deadline: Friday, 18 December 2026, 6:00pm (Singapore time). Event day: Saturday, 19 December 2026 at SMU.
How do I register?▼
Register online through the registration page and select your category: AI Game Makers or AI Web Builders.
Building & Submitting
Where is the project built?▼
Before the event. Students work individually on their own project.
Are AI tools, API keys or credits provided?▼
No. Students use their own tools and their own accounts. CodeFest does not provide AI tools, API keys or credits.
What does AI Game Makers need to submit?▼
A ZIP of the game files (the game must open from index.html) plus a prompt journal listing the key AI prompts and what they changed. Slides are optional. The game should have a score, a win/lose condition, and ideally 2 or more levels.
What does AI Web Builders need to submit?▼
A ZIP of the website files (the website must open from index.html) plus a README explaining how AI was used, its limits and ethics. Slides are optional. The website needs at least 3 pages or sections, and user input should trigger an AI response; calling a real AI API is encouraged. Do not include API keys in the ZIP.
How do I submit my project?▼
Upload your ZIP file through the project submission form by Friday, 18 December 2026, 6:00pm (Singapore time).
Do I need to host my project online?▼
No. No hosting or live link is needed. Projects run from the files on your own laptop.
Presentation Day
What happens on the day?▼
In the morning, each student gives an 8-minute presentation to the judging panel, followed by a short Q&A. The awards ceremony takes place in the afternoon.
What should my child bring?▼
Their own laptop with the project on it, plus the laptop charger. Test the project offline beforehand. Slides are optional.
Is using AI cheating?▼
No. CodeFest 2026 is designed around skilful, responsible use of generative AI. Students should be ready to explain how they used AI during the Q&A.
Judging & Prizes
How are AI Game Makers projects judged?▼
Creative and effective AI use 25%, Technical execution 20%, Creativity and game design 20%, Understanding and responsible AI (Q&A) 15%, Presentation 10%, SDG theme fit 10%.
How are AI Web Builders projects judged?▼
Creative and effective AI use 30%, Technical execution 25%, Creativity and product design 10%, Understanding and responsible AI (Q&A) 15%, Presentation 10%, SDG theme fit 10%.
What are the prizes?▼
Per category. 1st: S$100 CapitaLand Voucher. 2nd: S$50 CapitaLand Voucher. 3rd: S$20 CapitaLand Voucher. All participants receive a certificate.
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