In Kharkiv, Schoolchildren Create Games, Navigation Systems, and Engineering Solutions: TechTALEN...

07 Липня 2025

Engineers, developers, inventors — and they’re just 10 to 16 years old. Kharkiv has honored the winners of the TechTALENT IT project competition, which brought together proactive youth from the city and region. A jury selected five finalists in each of two age categories. On May 28, the top ten participants presented their projects online — ranging from 3D graphics and video games to defense system prototypes and digital assistants.

These kids don’t just play with tech — they build with it

TechTALENT aims not only to spark interest in IT among children but also to open up the worlds of engineering, design, programming, modeling, and product development. Thanks to a hands-on approach, participants don’t just “study a topic” — they dive into it as creators. While others wait until they “grow up,” these kids are already building the future.

Finalist projects included:

1. A game based on Ancient Greek mythology
2. Simulation of movement and trajectory smoothing for an airborne object using geographic coordinates
3. A simulation platform for studying missile flight and air defense systems
4. Website for the online store “Salide”
5. A game about a hero’s journey — not just for swords, but for self-discovery
6. “Slovko” — a word-learning game
7. 3D models for video games
8. “Zombie Hunter” game
9. A bot-manager for Notion integrations
10. “Our City’s Districts” website

“The idea came unexpectedly — I was just watching a movie about Greek mythology and thought: ‘Why not make a game about this?’ I love playing games myself, and a friend who’s already into IT gave me tips on how to develop the idea. That’s how it all began,” says 14-year-old finalist Yaroslav Pavliuk, an 8th-grade student of Kharkiv Lyceum No. 152.

Kharkiv IT Cluster: Not Just a Contest, but a Platform for Opportunity

For 10 years, Kharkiv IT Cluster has been actively building an environment for education, development, and growth of future IT professionals. Supporting TechTALENT is a natural extension of our commitment to youth.

The contest was initiated by the charitable foundation CODEIT4LIFE UKRAINE — an organization dedicated to nurturing children’s talents through technology and education.

Together with partners — CodeIT, the Department of Digital Transformation of the Kharkiv City Council, and Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics — we created a platform where teens not only presented their ideas, but also received real mentorship, resources, and public recognition.

“We want every child in Kharkiv to feel that technology isn’t something distant — it’s already here. We don’t give instructions — we provide trust, tools, and an environment where children can shape who they are. That’s the foundation of a future economy and a strong nation,” says Olha Shapoval, Executive Director of Kharkiv IT Cluster.

Recognition and Support — Not Just Formal, but Real

Six winners received MacBooks, while four others got power banks and branded merchandise. One project also received financial support of ₴50,000 to continue development. But the most valuable reward was the feeling that their ideas matter — that others are inspired by them and believe in them.

“When support comes before success, true change is born. We support not just ideas — we support people,” adds the Cluster team.

What’s Next?

TechTALENT is not a one-off event. In 2026, the Kharkiv IT Cluster team plans to continue the competition and engage even more young people — to ensure that the experience of tech creativity is accessible to every child.

Today — ideas. Tomorrow — startups, solutions, rebuilding.This isn’t just about IT. It’s about children who are transforming the country.