Children Spotlight for the Week: Samaira Mehta: The Young Coding Prodigy Inspiring Kids Worldwide

At just 15 years old, Samaira Mehta is not your average teenager. Hailing from Santa Clara, California, she is the founder and CEO of her own company, a sought-after speaker, and a passionate advocate for coding and technology. Samaira’s journey began at a remarkably young age, and today she is inspiring children worldwide to embrace coding, STEM, and entrepreneurship.

The Birth of CoderBunnyz: A Passion for Coding and Teaching

Samaira’s story began at the age of six when her father, an engineer, introduced her to coding. This introduction quickly blossomed into a deep passion, and Samaira soon realized that many of her friends found coding intimidating. She decided to change this perception by creating a fun and interactive way to teach coding to kids her age.

At just eight years old, Samaira invented CoderBunnyz, a board game designed to teach children the fundamentals of coding. Combining her love for coding, board games, and bunnies—her favorite animal—she designed CoderBunnyz to make learning programming concepts accessible and enjoyable. The game covers basic topics in coding, artificial intelligence, and Java, and introduces key concepts such as training, back propagation, inference, adaptive learning, and autonomy.

What makes CoderBunnyz unique is its hands-on approach. The game allows players to learn by doing, creating an environment where children can develop problem-solving skills while having fun. Samaira designed CoderBunnyz over the course of a year, with help from her younger brother, and today, the game is used in schools, libraries, and homes across the United States to teach coding.

From CoderBunnyz to Global Outreach: Yes, One Billion Kids Can Code

Samaira’s passion for coding didn’t stop with CoderBunnyz. As her impact grew, she developed two more board games, CoderMindz and CoderMarz, expanding her reach to include advanced concepts in artificial intelligence and coding for space exploration.

Her vision expanded even further with the launch of her initiative, Yes, One Billion Kids Can Code (https://www.yesonebillionkidscancode.org/). Through this movement, Samaira aims to teach coding to a billion children worldwide, empowering the next generation to harness the power of technology and become future innovators.

A Voice in the Tech World: Advocacy and Speaking Engagements

Despite her young age, Samaira has established herself as a respected voice in the tech community. She has delivered workshops and presentations at some of the world’s leading technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Intel. She first began presenting workshops at the Santa Clara City Library, where she encouraged kids to embrace coding through hands-on activities and engaging lessons.

Samaira’s message has also reached a global audience through her appearances at prestigious conferences, such as the 2019 C2 Montréal Conference. She uses these platforms to advocate for more diversity and inclusion in STEM, emphasizing the importance of encouraging girls to pursue careers in technology.

Recognitions and Achievements

Samaira’s dedication and achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2016, she won the second-place prize at Think Tank Learning’s Pitchfest, taking home $2,500 for her innovative idea. She also received a letter of encouragement from former First Lady Michelle Obama, recognizing her efforts to promote STEM education.

Coding as a Superpower: A Vision for the Future

For Samaira, coding is more than just a skill—it’s a superpower. “I believe that a basic coding understanding will make [kids] better thinkers and better problem-solvers in whatever they choose to do in their lives,” she says. Samaira’s approach focuses on making coding accessible, fun, and engaging, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to develop this essential skill.

Beyond her passion for coding, Samaira has her sights set on even greater goals. Inspired by her desire to create change on a larger scale, she dreams of one day becoming the President of the United States. She believes that studying law will provide her with the knowledge and foundation needed to pursue this path, while her background in STEM will give her a unique perspective as a leader.

Paving the Way for Girls in STEM

As a second-generation American immigrant and a young girl in tech, Samaira is acutely aware of the challenges faced by women in STEM fields. She is determined to break down these barriers and inspire more girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that age and gender should never limit one’s aspirations or potential.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Today, Samaira Mehta continues to make waves in the world of technology, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. She balances her multiple interests—coding, robotics, computer science, swimming, and even a newfound passion for law—with an unwavering commitment to inspiring others. Her story is a testament to what can be achieved when creativity, passion, and determination come together.