47 Teens Build, Compete, and Innovate at FrostByte Hackathon at ASU SkySong

On February 22, 47 teens gathered at ASU SkySong for the FrostByte Hackathon, an all-day event where creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship came together in action.

Hosted by the teen-founded organization, The Code Hatch, the event brought students into a fast-paced, collaborative environment where they worked in teams to solve challenges and develop innovative solutions—all within a single day.

Turning Ideas into Reality

Throughout the hackathon, teams brainstormed, built, tested, and refined their ideas, gaining hands-on experience in problem-solving and collaboration.

A unique “Frosted” theme added a creative twist, encouraging teams to incorporate icy-inspired concepts and branding into their projects. The result was a wide range of imaginative and technically driven solutions that reflected both creativity and real-world thinking.

From Hackathon to Statewide Recognition

At the conclusion of the event, teams presented their projects and competed for tech prizes, showcasing the innovation and effort developed throughout the day.

One standout team, Brain Freeze—Ayushi and Avneesh—continued their journey beyond the hackathon. After first connecting through The Code Hatch, they were invited to present their idea at the Arizona State Henry Ford Invention Convention, where they earned 3rd place in the 10th grade division.

Their success highlights how experiences like FrostByte can serve as a springboard for continued growth, competition, and real-world impact.

Youth-Led Innovation in Action

The FrostByte Hackathon was created by The Code Hatch, a nonprofit founded by teen entrepreneur Aaradhya Panda, Freshman at BASIS Ahwatukee.

Aaradhya previously earned 1st place at Aspiring Youth Academy’s Aspire to Pitch! Teen Pitch Competition, where he was awarded $2,500 in seed funding to expand his vision.

Today, that vision is actively shaping opportunities for other students.

The Code Hatch’s mission:

We host coding competitions and workshops to empower Phoenix teenagers with future-ready, AI-driven tech skills.

Through events like FrostByte, students gain hands-on experience building real projects, while learning to collaborate, think critically, and explore pathways in technology and entrepreneurship.

Building the Next Generation of Innovators

More than a one-day competition, The Code Hatch and events like FrostByte represent a growing movement of youth-driven innovation—where students are not just participants, but creators.

Events like this give teens the opportunity to:

Develop real-world problem-solving skills
Build confidence in their ideas
Collaborate across diverse perspectives
Explore careers in technology and entrepreneurship

What’s Next

The momentum doesn’t stop here.

To learn more and stay updated on upcoming hackathons, competitions, and workshops, visit codehatch.org and support The Code Hatch’s mission to expand access to hands-on, tech-driven learning opportunities for teens.

To continue exploring opportunities, programs, and events that support teen innovation, visit aspiringyouth.org.

AYA News