Bright Minds Blog

Learning, Sharing, and Building Community at CodeMash Conference

Written by Mindex | Jan 21, 2026 1:00:00 PM

Each year, CodeMash brings together developers, testers, and technologists of all backgrounds to learn, share ideas, and connect. This year’s conference was no exception, and we were excited to have several members of the Mindex team attend and represent us.

Rob Graham, Aditya Chaudhari, Seamus Tynan, Adam Gongol, and Renee Cocca joined the broader tech community in Sandusky to take part in sessions, conversations, and hands-on learning that make CodeMash such a special event.

Sharing Knowledge Across KidzMash and CodeMash

A highlight of the week was seeing Renee Cocca, Principal Software Test Engineer at Mindex, present two sessions across both KidzMash and the main CodeMash conference.

At KidzMash, Renee led Robot Mayhem: Coding Lego EV3 with Python, a hands-on workshop designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Kids used Python to bring Lego EV3 robots to life, learning how to control movement, react to sensors, and experiment through playful challenges. No prior coding or robotics experience was required, just a willingness to explore and have fun.

It was a great example of how early exposure to technology, paired with encouragement and experimentation, can inspire the next generation of builders and problem-solvers.

Exploring the Tester’s Mindset

Renee also presented The Art of Breaking Things (Before Your Users Do) for conference attendees. This session focused on the tester’s mindset and how teams can better challenge assumptions, explore edge cases, and uncover risks that automated tests alone may not catch.

Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, the session sparked great conversations with attendees and reinforced the value of thoughtful testing and collaboration across roles.

Why Conferences Like CodeMash Matter

Beyond the sessions themselves, CodeMash continues to stand out for its strong sense of community. It brings together people at every stage of their careers, encourages curiosity, and creates space for learning that goes beyond any single role or discipline.

Pictured here: Rob Graham, Aditya Chaudhari, Seamus Tynan, and Adam Gongol at CodeMash Conference.

For us, attending conferences like CodeMash is about more than staying current on technology. It’s about learning together, sharing what we know, and showing up for the broader tech community.

We’re proud of our team for representing Mindex, contributing to meaningful conversations, and continuing to invest in learning at every level.

Want to work with people who love learning and sharing what they know?
Get to know the Mindex team!