BASIS Charter Schools students leverage artificial intelligence to strengthen community impact through coding initiatives
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 15, 2026 –– BASIS Charter Schools proudly recognizes three Arizona students during National Coding Week (Sept. 14-20) for strengthening their local communities through civic engagement and using coding skills to develop public initiatives and resources to better serve Arizonans and their peers. During National Coding Week, BASIS Charter Schools challenges students to sharpen their digital literacy by leveraging their cognitive skills and learned curriculum with AI-driven tools to better solve complex problems.
The week highlights the importance of bridging skills gaps and empowering students to innovate in a rapidly changing technological landscape. As AI-powered digital tools become more accessible and reshape industries, three BASIS Charter Schools students are using them to strengthen their coding initiatives and address common societal challenges and opportunities.
“As artificial intelligence advances industries and changes the way people learn, work and solve problems, digital literacy has become essential,” said Peter Bezanson, co-chair of BASIS Educational Ventures. “Students must understand how to use these tools thoughtfully, question the information they produce and apply them in ways that improve lives and strengthen society. At BASIS Charter Schools, students learn to pair emerging technology with critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, ethical decision-making and the confidence to defend their ideas.”
During National Coding Week, BASIS Charter Schools is proud to celebrate students demonstrating that the power of technology lies in its ability to improve lives.
BASIS Peoria – Grade 5, Aaditya N., Founder of LearnPath AI
BASIS Peoria Grade 5 Student, Aaditya N., was recently recognized locally and nationally for the Presidential A.I. Challenge over summer break for developing, LearnPath AI. The free AI-powered tool was created to empower young learners facing educational gaps with mathematics.
LearnPath AI can be introduced to students as an ethical learning tool to help coach students to work through complex math equations without giving the answers directly. Aaditya plans to continually develop the code within LearnPath AI to enhance the website capabilities to match the BASIS Charter Schools curriculum he is currently learning throughout his education.
BASIS Ahwatukee – Grade 10, Aaradhya P., Founder of Code Arizona
BASIS Ahwatukee Grade 10 Student, Aaradhya P., turned his passion for coding into reality by establishing Code Arizona, a free coding community organization for local high school students in Arizona. In August, Aaradhya coordinated a Hack-A-Thon where over 100 local high school students gathered at the BASIS Chandler campus to engage in a friendly all-day team competition for coding software programs.
Code Arizona pairs local inclusivity and community with the purpose to inspire local teens to work together and solve real-world problems and develop unique community solutions through code. The coding competition challenged students to critically think, research, and execute their final projects to present to a panel of judges.
BASIS Mesa – Grade 12, Shilo K., Founder of ScamSafe
(Photo Credit: Mike Mertes, AZ Big Media)
BASIS Mesa Grade 12 Student, Shilo K. utilized AI to develop and ScamSafe, a user-friendly website designed to help older adults detect fraud scams. ScamSafe is a free and anonymous digital platform where users can upload screenshots or paste suspicious text, emails, or letters to scan scam patterns, fake urgencies, impersonation, suspicious links, and payment tricks. Shilo felt inspired to create ScamSafe with his family and grandparents in mind.
Since ScamSafe’s internet debut, Shilo has continually been updating and refining the code with hopes to make a lasting impact on society.
The BASIS Charter School curriculum is internationally benchmarked and was founded on liberal arts principles with an emphasis on STEM. BASIS Charter Schools values having a balanced approach to allow students to think more critically, solve complex problems, and communicate their ideas with confidence and clarity. Through a rich blend of disciplines, students are empowered to explore their interests, develop intellectual independence, and build the skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond. Whether engaging in scientific inquiry, crafting compelling arguments, or creating outstanding work, BASIS students are supported in becoming thoughtful, well-rounded learners. Discover how a BASIS Charter School can inspire your child. Apply today or schedule a tour to learn more.
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Learn more about BASIS Charter Schools
BASIS Charter Schools is a network of award-winning, tuition-free public charter schools serving grades K–12. With 40+ campuses across Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington, D.C., we empower each student to reach their full potential and succeed at the world’s top colleges. Find a school near you and learn why BASIS is the top-ranked school network in the nation.
As a public charter school network, we are open to all students, with no entrance exams. Applications for the 2027–28 school year opens Oct. 21, 2026. Visit our Enrollment Guide page for more information.
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