On June 17, 2025, STEM Link brought an unforgettable experience to CuttingEdge 2025, hosted at the historic Temple Trees in Colombo. Surrounded by innovation and energy, our presence wasn’t just about being there. It was about making a statement. From early morning setup to late evening wrap-up, the STEM Link booth was alive with activity, curiosity, and nonstop conversations.

Students flowed in from all over, some shyly curious, others confidently tech-savvy, but all eager to explore what STEM Link had to offer. The vibe was electric, and the goal was simple: help every student walk away with something meaningful, be it a prize, a new idea, or a clearer career direction.

🎯 Spin, Code & Win: A Game with a Purpose

This year, we introduced a brand-new feature at our booth that drew in a steady crowd: the “Spin & Code” challenge. Visually eye-catching and instantly interactive, the spinning wheel was more than just a game. It was a bridge between play and purpose. Students would step up, give the wheel a confident spin, and land on a surprise prize category. But there was a catch: to actually claim the prize, they had to correctly answer a coding question.

The questions ranged from fun logic puzzles to beginner-level coding challenges , each designed to make students think fast and feel accomplished. It wasn’t about testing their knowledge but about sparking interest, encouraging effort, and celebrating learning.

And the rewards? They were worth the effort. We handed out delicious food vouchers, high-quality earbuds, cool STEM Link T-shirts, funky tech-themed stickers, and even free access to our premium ₨ 80,000 UI/UX Bootcamp, which a few lucky winners snagged with wide-eyed surprise.

👩‍🎓 Schools That Showed Up Big

The event drew participation from a wide range of institutions, but a few schools stood out with their high-energy and enthusiastic engagement. Students from Buddhist Ladies’ College, St. Peter’s College, Royal College, and Visakha Vidyalaya were among the most active visitors at our booth.

It was inspiring to see students from different backgrounds, skill levels, and age groups all gravitating toward the same challenge. Some were first-timers experimenting with code for the fun of it, while others were already dabbling in development and hungry for more exposure. Laughter, friendly competition, and genuine curiosity filled the air as groups gathered to cheer each other on. For many, this was their first hands-on interaction with coding in a live setting—and it made an impression.

💬 Real Talk, Real Guidance

While the spinning wheel drew them in, the real magic happened in the conversations that followed. Behind the scenes of the game, we spent time with students who stayed back to ask deeper questions: “How do I get into UI/UX?”, “Is data science too hard?”, “What’s the right tech stack for beginners?”

These weren’t surface-level chats. They were genuine career counseling moments. We offered insights tailored to their personal interests, academic stage, and confidence levels. Whether it was guiding a Grade 11 student on how to start learning HTML, or helping an undergraduate polish their LinkedIn profile, the goal was to demystify the tech world and give students a starting point they could actually act on.

In a sea of high-pressure academic environments, we offered something rare: clarity and encouragement.

🔥 Why It Mattered

For STEM Link, CuttingEdge 2025 wasn’t just another tech event; it was a platform to connect, inspire, and uplift. We believe in meeting students where they are and guiding them toward where they could be. This event gave us the perfect stage to do exactly that.

It wasn’t just about how many students played the game or how many prizes we gave away. It was about the impact that lingered after the event. The students who left our booth didn’t just walk away with earbuds or vouchers, they walked away with direction, with options they hadn’t considered before, and in many cases, with the confidence to explore something new in tech.

We saw transformations happen in real time, confused students becoming curious, curious students becoming excited, and excited students turning into planners of their own tech journey.

🌱 What’s Next?

This event proved once again that students are hungry for meaningful engagement, and we're here to deliver it. Going forward, we’re building on this momentum in some exciting ways:

• Expanding the more interactive sessions into other school and university events across the country

• Launching post-event mentorship series, where students can get guidance even after the event ends

• Offering exclusive micro-scholarships and early access to our skill-building bootcamps for standout participants

• Partnering with more educators and institutions to reach students earlier in their learning journeys

We're not just showing up at events. We're staying in the conversation long after the booths close.

CuttingEdge 2025 was a perfect example of how learning, mentorship, and fun can coexist in the same space. With every spin of the wheel, we weren’t just giving away prizes. We were opening doors, sparking ideas, and shaping futures.

And for us at STEM Link, that’s the real win.