Peruvian students win international STEAM competition, qualify for Japan 2027

A team of Peruvian students achieved a significant victory at the international STEAM competition CODED 2026 in the United States. The students from the Peruvian North American School Abraham Lincoln secured first place in the Junior category, showcasing their prowess in programming, creativity, and teamwork.

The delegation, comprising 20 students across three teams, tackled challenges in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The winning group, including Doménica Vargas, Thiago Torres, Vasco Valera, Darian Zegarra, Kimi Acuña, Rafaella Delgado, and María Sofía Rivera Quispe, earned the top honor. This triumph grants them the opportunity to compete in another international CODED edition scheduled for Japan in 2027.

“

the students recognized the strengths of each member to distribute responsibilities in a balanced way.

During the competition, participants were tasked with investigating problems, devising solutions, creating designs, testing their concepts, and presenting their outcomes. This process demanded a blend of technological expertise with creativity, critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities in an international setting. The students' preparation involved initial guidance on the program's dynamics, with some receiving additional programming training and developing preliminary sketches.

Teamwork and organization were crucial to their success. Doménica Vargas highlighted how students identified each member's strengths to distribute responsibilities equitably. This collaborative effort included reviewing code and analyzing project components, which also enhanced their communication, critical thinking, and self-management skills. Darian Zegarra noted the team's dedication, with members spending late nights to advance the final project before presentations. Beyond programming, the students gained valuable experience in public speaking, working under pressure, and interacting with peers from diverse international backgrounds.

“

the group dedicated several hours during the nights to advance with the final project before the presentation.