At Kodecoon Academy, we stretch our students’ coding abilities and put them to the test. They are strongly encouraged to participate in coding competitions to showcase their deep level of understanding of computational thinking and programming.
Coding competitions introduce students to a competitive environment in a healthy and supportive manner. It helps them understand the importance of setting goals, managing their time, and striving for improvement. They also learn to handle success and failure gracefully, fostering a growth mindset. Furthermore, it also builds resilience and confidence. It takes hard work and patience to code, build and problem-solve.
The Hwa Chong Infocomm Challenge, also known as HCIC, is a yearly coding competition organized by Hwa Chong Institution, strictly open to primary schools, with an aim to inspire young learners and identify talents in areas related to STEM, coding, and robotics. Furthermore, HCIC aims to further develop important skills such as computational and analytical thinking.
The competition is structured such that there are two sections. The first section comprises 15 multiple choice questions. The following section are two open ended questions with regards to coding/programming knowledge in python. Kodecoon Academy is proud to announce that 19 out of 24 of our students won an award in the annual Hwa Chong Infocomm Challenge (HCIC). This is a big improvement from 2022 when we only have Curtis Ji Yi Angstetra winning the Gold Award. Here are our winners!
Bronze Award Winners: Niu Le Chen (Nan Chiau Primary School), Foong Xiang Jun (Alexandra Primary School), Ngeow Zheng Hao Norman (Bukit View Primary School), Arissa Love Winata (Cantonment Primary School), Lee Zhi Yong Isaac Evan (White Sands Primary School), Andrew Ng Yong Zhi (Nanyang Primary School), Thaddeus Goh Rui Jie (Nanyang Primary School), Titus Zue Jiezhi (Yew Tee Primary School), Theodore Christianto (Queenstown Primary School)
Silver Award Winners: Ryan Ng (St. Joseph’s Institution Junior), Lua Yu Hao Lyndon (Elias Park Primary School), Tan Wen-Yan Noah (St. Joseph’s Institution Junior), Lam Cai Tzeng Dexter (Catholic High School), Xiao Shunjie (Pasir Ris Primary School), Lim Keng Sean (Maris Stella High School), Soh Kang Jie (Sengkang Green Primary School)
Gold Award Winners: Kyle Xiong Zhihao (Rivervale Primary School), Tan Hai Ruii (Bukit Timah Primary School)
Platinum Award Winner: Tan Jun Kai Adriel (Red Swastika School)
Teacher Deddy asked the award winners about their participation and experience after winning the challenge in a group interview setting. Let’s find out more!
Teacher Deddy: How has Kodecoon classes better prepared them?
Students: The Python Coder classes equipped us with the necessary knowledge on Python, computational thinking and object-oriented programming.
Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a modern approach to computer programming where the focus is on organizing software by using objects. We were introduced to this in the intermediate lessons during Python Coder classes. Questions regarding Inheritance, Classes, Object and Encapsulation were found during the challenge.
Furthermore, questions on Data structures and algorithms came out. Advanced Python Coder classes taught us different sorting and searching algorithms as well as the numerous data structures in Python.
We found Maker Technopreneurship Program (MTP), an invite only program that focuses on 5 pillars: Design Thinking, Coding & Technology, Hardware Solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) and Technopreneurship, to be especially useful when it came to questions with regards to engineering, more specifically in Microcontrollers.
Teacher Deddy: What were some questions that stood out the most?
Students: There were a handful of questions that we struggled with. There were difficult questions in regards to Python and Caesar Cipher that were topics also found in past year papers. We did our best to answer the questions through intelligent inferences and careful elimination in the MCQ section.
Teacher Deddy: Do you have any tips and advice to give to your Kodecoon juniors who might want to take part in similar competitions?
Students: Embrace confidence and overcome hesitation when facing unfamiliar challenges. Take the leap and provide answers, even if unsure, for you will never know if they are correct without trying. Remember, there may be questions where you lack knowledge, but by attempting them, you demonstrate determination. Above all, approach each question with an open mind and a fair opportunity to shine. Attend the preparation classes and complete the coding exercises provided by Kodecoon Academy to surpass expectations and reach new heights of achievement. Lastly, inform your form teacher early to indicate interest and sign up.
Teacher Deddy: What would you like to say to your parents who have supported you through your coding journey?
Students: We would like to thank our parents for granting them the opportunity to enroll in Kodecoon Academy. We acknowledge that without our parents’ support, we would not have stumbled upon the world of coding, discovering a true passion and gaining extensive knowledge in the field. We are sincerely appreciative of our parents’ role in shaping our educational journey and allowing us to explore and cultivate our talents.
As we all know being a parent is hard work. As a result, one of the students jokingly commented that his parents wanted him to win the Platinum award so that he can receive the $50 dollar reward to treat his parents to Din Tai Fung.
With all that being said, the students are overjoyed and grateful of having the privilege to represent their schools and winning an award! Once again, Kodecoon is extremely proud to congratulate the 18 students who won the Hwa Chong Infocomm Challenge 2023.
Congratulations once again! We are proud of you!
Programming has certainly become a niche for this generation. It makes one’s eyebrows rise when a 12-year-old says, “I love coding”. And Kodecoon is proud to grow our next generation of technology leaders on this path towards success. At Kodecoon Academy, our mission is to help develop critical thinking skills and help our children of tomorrow channel their creativity to transform ideas into concrete realities!
Contact us to register for our FREE Scratch Coder trial classes and meet our instructors to learn more about how you can kickstart your child’s coding journey with us! You can also check out a brief introduction of our trial class process here for more information!
