Frequently Asked Questions

A 2-day live build competition where students aged 7–16 use generative AI tools to create digital solutions to a problem statement. Held at SMU Administrative Building on 19–20 December 2026.

Any student meeting the age requirement for U9 (ages 7 to 9), U12 (ages 10 to 12), or U16 (ages 13 to 16) as of 19 December 2026.

Individual. Every student competes on their own.

Age as of 19 December 2026. U9 = ages 7 to 9; U12 = ages 10 to 12; U16 = ages 13 to 16.

Yes — S$30 off if registered before 19 September 2026.

Yes — S$30 off per child when 2 or more siblings register together.

Yes — register 2 or more siblings before 19 September 2026 to save S$60 per child (S$220 each).

Premium AI tool credits, lunch and tea breaks on both days, a goodie bag with a CodeFest jacket, certificate of participation, and full venue access at SMU Administrative Building.

Live at 10:30am on Day 1 (Friday 19 December 2026), after the morning coaching and revision session. It is not released in advance.

U9 — a Scratch game with AI-generated sprites, sounds, and narration. U12 — a website, promotional video, and web browser game (all using HTML/CSS/JavaScript). U16 — a Python GUI application (e.g. Tkinter, PyQt), a website showcasing the project, and a promotional video.

Basic familiarity helps but is not strictly required — the competition tests how effectively students direct AI tools to build solutions. Prep resources will be available on our Resources page.

Premium tools with credits, announced approximately 1 month before the event (around 19 November 2026) so students can familiarise themselves.

No — CodeFest is specifically designed to test skilled use of generative AI. Directing AI effectively is the core skill being judged.

The competition operates on an honour-based fair-play system with a signed declaration. Students and parents agree that work is done solely by the student during competition hours.

A laptop (fully charged), laptop charger, and a water bottle. U9 participants should have a Scratch account set up. U16 participants should also have a Python environment pre-installed.

Yes — lunch and tea breaks on both days are included in the registration fee.

To be confirmed. Please check back closer to the event for updates on parent access.

A 5-minute pitch to a panel of judges on Day 2 afternoon, scored on five criteria: problem understanding & relevance (20%), creativity & originality (20%), technical execution (25%), effective use of generative AI (20%), and pitch clarity & delivery (15%).

Per category — U16 — 1st: Apple iPad, 2nd: Razer Mouse, 3rd: Razer Headset. U12 — 1st: Nintendo Switch OLED, 2nd: Razer Mouse, 3rd: Razer Headset. U9 — 1st: Nintendo Switch Lite, 2nd: Razer Mouse, 3rd: Razer Headset. All winners receive a trophy. Every participant receives a certificate of participation.

Yes — identical prizes for all three categories (U9, U12, and U16).