Palo Alto 3rd Grader Named Finalist In Silicon Valley Coding Challenge

PALO ALTO, CA — A Palo Alto third grader was named a finalist in BYJU’s Silicon Valley Challenge coding competition for creating an app that encourages the discussion of ideas, analysis and creative thinking among kids by sharing books.

Eight-year-old Akshay Singh, a student at Juana Briones Elementary School, created an app called Sharing is Caring after he learned how to code at BYJU’s FutureSchool.

The app allows users to choose between showcasing their books, selecting a category of books they’d like to read and a “book club,” where people can write reviews of books.

“There is no joy in possession without sharing,” Akshay said in a video presenting the app.

Akshay thought of the idea after going to BYJU’s Future School, a virtual learning platform with instruction on math, coding, music, arts and film, and his teacher encouraged him to think of a technological solution in the form of an app for a widespread problem or issue.

The problem that Akshay saw was how many books he found sitting on his shelf, unopened. The app would allow people to share and talk about their books, whether among fellow students, friends or family members.

“By sharing books and reviews, kids can develop thinking skills, talk more with others about their ideas, and analyze ideas,” Akshay said.

The winner of the Silicon Valley Challenge will get to present their app to venture capitalists for an interactive mentorship experience.

Click here for more on BYJU's FutureSchool.