--- title: "Young ICT Explorers Project Help: Plan, Build, Present" description: "Young ICT Explorers for Years 3 to 12: categories, rules, the 2026 key dates, how projects are judged, and a planning method that gets a team to a finished entry." canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/young-ict-explorers-project-help source: src/pages/young-ict-explorers-project-help.html --- > Young ICT Explorers for Years 3 to 12: categories, rules, the 2026 key dates, how projects are judged, and a planning method that gets a team to a finished entry. In short Young ICT Explorers is a non-profit national digital technology competition for Australian students in Years 3 to 12, founded by SAP. Students enter individually or in teams of up to four, in year categories from 3-4 to 11-12, submit a written report of no more than 5 pages, and present to judges. In 2026, documentation was due 31 July, and national judging runs 9 to 21 November. Where to start ## Three courses for Young ICT Explorers teams Match the course to the kind of project the team wants to make. [![App Making for Kids course thumbnail](/images/app-dev-kids.webp) YCT / 01 App making for kids Primary students building a working app in blocks, the most common kind of junior entry. Open the syllabus →](/courses/block-coding-app-development-masterclass)[![App Development for Teens course thumbnail](/images/app-dev-teens.webp) YCT / 02 App development for teens Real mobile apps with React Native for secondary teams with a serious idea. Open the syllabus →](/courses/complete-app-development-masterclass-for-teens)[![Python for Teens course thumbnail](/images/python-teens.webp) YCT / 03 Python for teens For hardware, data and AI projects that need a general-purpose language. Open the syllabus →](/courses/python-complete-masterclass-teens) How it works ## Entry, categories and the 2026 calendar The organisers describe a YICTE project as a student-created digital solution that responds to a real-world need. Here is how entry works, as published for 2026. | When (2026) | What happens | | --- | --- | | 1 July | Registrations close; teachers, parents or guardians register an account | | 31 July, 11:59pm | Project documentation and submission deadline | | 3 August to 30 September | Zoom reviews for senior categories (Years 7-8, 9-10, 11-12) | | 1 September to 29 October | Zoom reviews for junior categories (Years 3-4, 5-6) | | 30 September | Pre-recorded presentation videos due, for teams not presenting live | | 29 October, 1pm AEST | State Awards Ceremony, via Zoom | | 9 to 21 November | National Finals judging | | 26 November | National Finals Awards Ceremony | Students can enter alone or in teams of up to four, in the category matching their school year: 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 or 11-12. Every entry includes a written report of no more than five pages, and each participating student needs a project talent release form completed by a parent or guardian. Project files go into a ZIP that must not exceed 20 MB. Larger videos can be shared as private links in the report, as the FAQ explains. Reviews are the judging rounds. Most teams present live over Zoom in a 10-minute session: 5 minutes to pitch, present or demonstrate, then 5 minutes of questions and feedback. Teams that cannot attend may submit a pre-recorded video of up to 8 minutes instead. Every team receives written feedback and a certificate of achievement or participation. The organisers note that all dates are subject to change, so their key dates page is the place to confirm the following year's calendar. Sources: [YICTE 2026 key dates](https://www.youngictexplorers.net.au/competition-details/key-dates/); [YICTE rules](https://www.youngictexplorers.net.au/competition-details/rules/); [YICTE FAQ](https://www.youngictexplorers.net.au/faq/). Read 7 October 2026. Judging ## Four criteria, and what they mean in practice Every entry is first judged in a Core Award category for its year level. Optional awards, such as those for cybersecurity and privacy, sustainability and the use of AI, are only open to projects already entered in a core category. | Criterion | Questions the organisers list | What it means for a team | | --- | --- | --- | | Creativity and Innovation | Does the project show original thinking, and what makes it different from similar products? | Know the existing tools and say clearly what yours does that they do not | | Level of Difficulty | How challenging was it for the students' year level, and how were problems solved? | Keep a record of problems met and how each was overcome | | Quality and Completeness | How well does it meet its objectives, and is it a working product or a prototype? | A small thing that works beats a big thing that half works | | Documentation and Presentation | Is it explained clearly in the review, and is the report well structured? | Plan the report and the 5-minute pitch, do not leave them to the last night | The organisers welcome both fully developed solutions and prototypes. That matters for planning: a team does not need a polished product, but it does need a working core it can demonstrate and explain. The suggested report structure covers the introduction and how the idea was chosen, the design and features with labelled images, research, problems encountered, a user manual and a conclusion on what the team learned and would change. Project types the organisers list include apps and web tools, games and interactive media, robotics and hardware, AI and data projects, and sustainability and community solutions. Anything students imagine, design and build with digital technologies is eligible. Projects must be suitable for all ages. On copyright questions, such as using music in a video, the FAQ points students to the Copyright Act 1968 and the Australian Copyright Council rather than giving legal advice. Sources: [YICTE Core Awards](https://www.youngictexplorers.net.au/yicte-core-awards/); [What is a YICTE project](https://www.youngictexplorers.net.au/what-is-a-yicte-project/). Read 7 October 2026. Worked lesson ## MoSCoW: choosing what the project must do MoSCoW sorts every feature into Must, Should, Could and Won't (this time). It is a simple way to make sure the working core gets built first. The project below is invented for this lesson. ### The idea Three Year 8 students want a lost property finder for their school: staff log found items with a photo, and students search for what they lost. ### The time From mid June to the 31 July deadline is about six weeks. Three students working two hours a week each gives 36 hours in total. ### The rule Plan the Must features to use no more than about 60 percent of the time, so problems, testing and the report have room. | Feature | Estimate (hours) | Label | Running total of Must and Should | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Add a found item with photo and description | 6 | Must | 6 | | Search by item type and colour | 5 | Must | 11 | | Written report, no more than 5 pages | 6 | Must | 17 | | Test plan and test log | 3 | Must | 20 | | Mark an item as claimed | 3 | Should | 23 | | Sort results by date found | 2 | Should | 25 | | Simple staff login | 5 | Should | 30 | | Email notice when a matching item is logged | 4 | Could | not counted | | Photo recognition to suggest the item type | 8 | Could | not counted | | A separate phone app | 12 | Won't (this time) | not counted | | Sharing items between schools | 10 | Won't (this time) | not counted | The Must features add up to 20 hours, about 56 percent of the 36 available, which leaves room for surprises. Adding the Should features brings the total to 30 hours. Of the two Could features, only the 4-hour email notice fits, taking the plan to 34 hours with 2 hours to spare; the photo recognition feature, at 8 hours, would push the team past its time. The two Won't items are not failures. Writing them down protects the team from being tempted halfway through, and they make an honest answer to the report question "What would you do differently next time?" ### Using it with a real team Teams estimate badly at first, usually far too low. The fix is to re-estimate each week: when a Must takes longer than planned, something lower down moves to Won't, rather than the deadline being missed. Students should make the labels together and agree them, because the arguments about what is truly a Must are where the real design thinking happens. ### Why judges notice A team that can explain why it left features out shows exactly the judgement the Level of Difficulty and Quality and Completeness criteria reward. MoSCoW is used by professional software teams for the same reason. Learning it on a school project builds a habit that lasts well beyond one competition. Our role ## Teaching the skills, never building the entry Young ICT Explorers celebrates what students imagined, designed and built themselves. Our lessons build their skill so they can do exactly that. Lessons cover the programming a project needs (app logic, data storage, simple web pages, Python for hardware and data), plus testing, writing clear documentation and practising a 5-minute pitch with questions afterwards. For primary teams, we often start with block-based app making, which lets a Years 3-4 or 5-6 team produce a working app without fighting syntax. We do not write a team's code, design its project, write its report or present for it. Judges ask how the project was made, and a team that did the work can answer. We do not promise an award or a place in the national finals. We teach skills, planning and presentation, which are what the criteria reward. | Weeks | Focus | Evidence of progress | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 and 2 | Choose and test the idea with real users | A one-paragraph problem statement and two user comments | | 3 and 4 | MoSCoW plan and first working Must | The core feature works, however rough | | 5 to 8 | Build the remaining Musts, then Shoulds | Weekly re-estimate and an updated test log | | 9 and 10 | Report drafted against the suggested structure | Five pages, with labelled images and a user manual | | 11 and 12 | Pitch practice and final tests | A 5-minute demonstration that survives tough questions | Growing as a project maker ## Four rungs from Years 3-4 to Years 11-12 Categories follow school years; project skill grows in this order. | Around | Rung | The sign it is secure | | --- | --- | --- | | Years 3 to 6 | 1. Makes something that works | Builds a simple app or game that a classmate can use | | Years 5 to 8 | 2. Solves a real problem | Starts from a user's need rather than from a cool feature | | Years 7 to 10 | 3. Plans and tests | Uses a prioritised plan and a test log | | Years 9 to 12 | 4. Engineers and explains | Justifies design choices and trade-offs to experts | ### If the project stalls Cut scope before cutting quality. Move a Should to Won't and finish the core properly. Show the working part to one real user this week. Their reaction usually unblocks the next step. ### Related reading The [Australian competitions calendar](/australian-coding-maths-and-ai-competitions-calendar) places YICTE among the year's other contests. For a short, intense build, see [student hackathons in Australia](/australian-student-hackathons). The catalogue ## Nine courses for project builders Grouped by the kind of project. Each card links to its full syllabus. I ### Apps and web The most common entries YCT / AW / 01 #### App making for kids Working apps in blocks. [Open the syllabus](/courses/block-coding-app-development-masterclass) YCT / AW / 02 #### App development for teens React Native apps for real phones. [Open the syllabus](/courses/complete-app-development-masterclass-for-teens) YCT / AW / 03 #### Web development for kids Websites that do a job. [Open the syllabus](/courses/kids-ai-web-development-course)II ### Games and media Interactive projects YCT / GM / 01 #### Game development for kids Scratch, Roblox and Minecraft. [Open the syllabus](/courses/game-development-masterclass-for-kids) YCT / GM / 02 #### Game development for teens Unity and C#. [Open the syllabus](/courses/complete-game-development-masterclass-for-teens) YCT / GM / 03 #### Creative coding Motion and visuals with p5.js. [Open the syllabus](/courses/creative-coding-animation-mastery)III ### Data and AI Senior categories YCT / DA / 01 #### Python for teens The language behind most data projects. [Open the syllabus](/courses/python-complete-masterclass-teens) YCT / DA / 02 #### Data science for teens From data to a first model. [Open the syllabus](/courses/data-science-course-for-teens-python-data) YCT / DA / 03 #### Python and AI for kids Smart projects for younger teams. [Open the syllabus](/courses/python-ai-kids-masterclass) How lessons run ## Weekly online lessons through the project season We teach live from India. Hobart is four and a half hours ahead of India time in winter and five and a half in summer, and Darwin four hours ahead all year, so an Australian after-school lesson runs in the Indian afternoon. That makes a regular weekly slot easy to keep from February through to the July deadline. Weekday after school Programming skills for the project. Weekend Testing, report writing and pitch practice. June and July Finishing the core and the documentation on time. ### Skills, not answers We teach how; the team decides what to build. ### Planning built in MoSCoW and weekly re-estimates from the start. ### Testing habits A test log that strengthens the report. ### Groups of fifteen to twenty Students at a similar level sharing progress. ### One-to-one option For an individual entrant or a team's lead coder. ### No award promised Judges decide; we build skill and confidence. Student work ## Projects our students have published Made because students wanted to make them. Explore them in the [student labs](/student-labs). ![NutriLife AI nutrition coach project screenshot](/images/projects/nutrilife.webp) AI and ML #### NutriLife An AI nutrition coach that reads what you eat and works you toward a target. by Bhavya · [Open it](https://nutrilife-bhavya.lovable.app) ![Misti AI chatbot for maths and coding screenshot](/images/projects/misti.webp) AI and ML #### Misti A chatbot that answers mathematics and programming questions, built and deployed by a student. by Harshit · [Open it](https://misti.modernagecoders.com) ![GuardianX AI internet safety assistant screenshot](/images/projects/guardianx.webp) AI and ML #### GuardianX An assistant that helps a young person recognise unsafe situations online. by Vivaan · [Open it](https://guardianx-cybersaver.lovable.app) ![SkyCast weather forecast application screenshot](/images/projects/skycast.webp) Web app #### SkyCast A weather forecasting site with live conditions for any location. by Krish Fees ## Fees Our lessons are charged monthly in US dollars, the international rate, with nothing to join and no lock-in. Young ICT Explorers is run by its organisers; anything they charge is separate from us. Free first class USD 0 no card required - A free first lesson with a teacher - A look at the project idea and how to scope it - No card required Book it Group batch USD 100 a month, billed in US dollars - Fifteen to twenty students at one level - The same teacher all season - Shared reviews of plans and tests - A certificate at the end Start here One to one USD 150 a month, billed in US dollars - A teacher for one student - Lessons shaped around that student's project skills - Weekly times that suit the family Enquire What families say ## Rated 4.9 across 547 Google reviews Copied without changes from our Google reviews. ★★★★★ "The one step solution for my son. Modern Age Coders make learning coding so simple that kids love it. The teachers explain complex concepts clearly with practical exercises and interactive content." Ria Mukherjee Parent ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders has been a game-changer for me. I struggled to grasp IT concepts and coding before joining, but their classes transformed everything. I can now confidently write complex programs with ease." Samriddha Mondal Student ★★★★★ "One of the most wonderful education centres out there. Education is not limited to school syllabus but focuses on skill development." Vansh Agarwal Student ★★★★★ "My child Dhairya is really enjoying the Modern Age Coders classes. This is his first online class and he eagerly looks forward to it. I can already see his improvement, and the teachers are very cooperative." Sonam Oswal Parent of Dhairya ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders have wonderful teachers who teach in a clear, easy and practical way. The teacher boosts students' confidence and inspires them to learn without hesitation." Sonu Goyal Parent ★★★★★ "I highly recommend this computer coding class! The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about coding." Ritu Kedia Parent Questions about Young ICT Explorers ## What students, parents and teachers ask ### What is Young ICT Explorers? A non-profit national digital technology competition for Australian students in Years 3 to 12, founded by SAP, in which students create and explain a digital solution to a real need or a creative idea. ### Who can enter, and in what categories? Students in Years 3 to 12, individually or in teams of up to four, in categories by school year: 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. ### How long can the report be? The rules say reports must not exceed 5 pages in total, and the project and report files must fit in a ZIP of no more than 20 MB. ### What happens at the review? Most teams present live on Zoom in a 10-minute session: 5 minutes to present or demonstrate and 5 minutes of questions. Teams that cannot attend can submit an 8-minute pre-recorded video. ### What is MoSCoW prioritisation? A planning method that labels each feature Must, Should, Could or Won't (this time), so the essential part of a project is built first and the rest is added only if time allows. ### When are the 2026 national finals? National judging runs from 9 to 21 November 2026, followed by the National Awards Ceremony on 26 November 2026, according to the organisers. ### Does the project have to be finished? No. The organisers say both fully developed solutions and prototypes are welcome. What matters is a working core that the team can demonstrate and explain. ### Will you build our project? No. We teach programming, testing, documentation and presenting. The project, its code and its report stay the students' own work. ### Can a primary student enter alone? Yes. The FAQ confirms individuals can enter, and a classmate may present on behalf of a sole entrant who cannot attend judging. ### When should we start for next year? The organisers say submissions can be made from the February launch. Starting early in the school year leaves time to build, test and write the report well before the deadline. Related pages ## More for Australian students Other competitions and project skills. ### [Competitions calendar](/australian-coding-maths-and-ai-competitions-calendar) Every coding and maths contest by month. ### [Student hackathons](/australian-student-hackathons) Short, intense team builds. ### [Understand the code](/understand-the-code-dont-copy-paste-australia) Why copied code lets teams down. ### [Problem solving through coding](/problem-solving-through-coding-australia) Thinking skills behind good projects. ### [Coding classes in Australia](/coding-classes-in-australia) Every state and every age. ### [Game development for kids](/game-development-for-kids-australia) For teams making a game. Start here ## Start with a free project class Tell us the year level and the project idea, however rough. The free class turns the idea into a short MoSCoW plan and tries the first piece of code together. Would you like to read more first? Every course outline is on the [course atlas](/course-atlas), and [how we teach](/how-we-teach) explains how lessons work. [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/919123366161?text=Hello%20Modern%20Age%20Coders%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20free%20class%20about%20building%20a%20Young%20ICT%20Explorers%20project%20in%20Australia.) · [+91 91233 66161](tel:+919123366161) · [connect@modernagecoders.com](mailto:connect@modernagecoders.com) A WhatsApp message is usually answered fastest. The number is Indian because our team is in India; there is no Australian office. ### Want a class sooner? Book a priority demo A priority demo is a full class of about 45 to 60 minutes. After the class the mentor sends a written skill report and a personal learning roadmap on WhatsApp. If you enrol, the demo fee is adjusted against your first month's fee. Share your demo Order ID with us on WhatsApp and we take it off. [Book a priority demo](/book-demo) ## Keep exploring Modern Age Coders ### Related courses and guides - [A-Level Computer Science NEA Help](/a-level-computer-science-nea-help) - [Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check Explained (2027)](/year-4-multiplication-tables-check-explained) - [WJEC GCSE Digital Technology Help, Wales](/wjec-gcse-digital-technology-help-wales) - [Advanced Higher Computing Science Project Help](/advanced-higher-computing-science-project-help) - [WJEC GCSE Computer Science Help, Wales](/wjec-gcse-computer-science-help-wales) - [AEO & GEO Services](/aeo-geo-optimization-services) - [Coding Alongside Informatica, Havo and Vwo](/coding-alongside-informatica-havo-vwo-netherlands) - [How Much Do Coding Classes Cost in 2026? Fees by Format](/online-coding-classes-cost) - [Best Coding Classes in Toowoomba](/best-coding-classes-in-toowoomba) ### Free resources - [Python Tutorial for Beginners: Complete Guide](/resources/python) - [Project: Build a To-Do App with Local Storage](/resources/javascript/project-todo-app-with-storage) - [Arrays and Array Methods](/resources/javascript/arrays-in-javascript) - [Functions in Python](/resources/python/functions-in-python) ### From the blog - [How College Students Can Build Real-World Projects While Studying](/blog/how-college-students-build-real-world-projects-while-studying) - [Java for Kids: Complete Kids Guide to Learning Java Programming in 2026](/blog/java-for-kids-complete-guide-learning-programming-2026) - [Project-Based Learning: Why Theory Alone Is Not Enough in Coding](/blog/project-based-learning-why-theory-alone-not-enough-coding) ### Start here - [Book a free demo class with Modern Age Coders](/book-demo) - [Real projects built by Modern Age Coders students](/student-labs) Free class[Priority demo](/book-demo)[Call us](tel:+919123366161) --- *Canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/young-ict-explorers-project-help*