Oracle Academy joined the 2026 Young Scientists Kenya National Science and Technology Exhibition to champion responsible AI innovation and inspire young people to use STEM and AI to solve real-world challenges. Through the AI for Good Award, exhibition and expert engagement, and hands-on learning, Oracle Academy encouraged educators and students to combine technology with human capabilities in the age of AI to create meaningful impact.
Under the theme Shaping Kenya’s AI future using STEM, the 2026 Young Scientists Kenya National Science and Technology Exhibition brought young innovators together to explore how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can address real challenges. The exhibition featured 154 student-led projects selected from more than 1,500 submissions from secondary schools across Kenya, bringing together 308 participating students.
Oracle Academy participated as a partner, exhibitor and sponsor for the Oracle Academy AI for Good Award, encouraging and inspiring young innovators to use AI thoughtfully to solve a real problem. The award champions responsible AI innovation and solutions grounded in community needs, informed by critical thinking, and designed with people in mind.
The winning innovation, the Digital Shield,presented by two students from St. Anne’s Muthale Girls, brought this approach to life. The students developed a cybersecurity prototype that used AI to identify suspicious files while retaining human oversight. The project demonstrated how young innovators can combine technical skills with sound judgment and responsible use of AI. Congratulations to Alvis Ndanu and Owino Jenny Nyaundi from St. Anne’s Muthale Girls for winning the Oracle Academy AI for Good Award.
Janet Kamau, Marketing Director, Africa, and Oracle Women’s Leadership and Social Impact Leader in Kenya, opened the exhibition with a keynote encouraging students to keep testing, learning, and improving their ideas beyond the event. Teachers were also encouraged to explore Oracle Academy free teaching and learning resources available to them and their students.
A panel moderated by Lorna Juma, Oracle Academy Program Manager, Africa, brought together Billy Otieno, Enterprise AI and Cloud Solutions Architect; Lavynne Ayisi, Legal Counsel; and Grace Gitaari, Senior Account Cloud Engineer. The discussion explored strong data foundations, critical thinking, responsible and inclusive AI, privacy, fairness, and the work required to move prototypes toward solutions that are secure, reliable, affordable, and scalable.
At the Oracle Academy booth, students and educators explored practical technology learning opportunities, with particular interest in Oracle APEX, a low-code platform for hands-on application development. These resources help educators and learners build practical skills through technology, curriculum, and applied learning.
“It was a great opportunity to partner with Oracle Academy for the first time at this year’s Young Scientists Kenya National Exhibition. The AI for Good Special Award recognizes the use of AI in innovations in an ethical and socially responsible manner, whilst the Oracle AI session gave the teachers and students great insight from leading industry experts into how this emerging technology is being utilized. We look forward to collaborating further through the Oracle Academy program, and partnering again next year,” said Dr. Eng. Victor Mwongera, National Director, Young Scientists Kenya.
Special recognition goes to the dedicated teachers who supported each team of student innovators, providing valuable guidance, encouragement, and mentorship throughout their innovation journey. Congratulations to Senior Chief Adano Girls Day Secondary School in Wajir County, whose students emerged as the overall winner with an AI-based environmental monitoring and drought risk prediction system. The team will go on to represent Kenya at the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Ireland.
Oracle Academy provides educators with free computing and technology resources to support teaching and learning, including curriculum, learning materials, Oracle Cloud technologies, Oracle APEX, software, technical support, professional development, and professional certification resources.
Drawing on Oracle’s leadership in cloud and emerging technologies, Oracle Academy continually develops innovation-focused curriculum, resources, technologies, and learning experiences that help educators and students build relevant skills for a rapidly evolving digital world.
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External links
Partner social media handles
X: @YSTKenya
Instagram: @yst_kenya
Facebook: Young Scientists Kenya (@YoungScientistsKenya)