Mehmet B. Aksakal

(Baxakal)

AI-Augmented Builder

I’m in 8th grade at Hasbrouck Heights. When I’m not in school, you can usually find me at the gym, playing basketball, or building something with code.

Bergen County Academies

BCA Interview

Countdown to Interview

March 3rd, 2026 • 1:30 PM (EST)

Building things is what I do. From physical products like MixBrix to apps and code, I love starting from zero and seeing what happens. I'm ready for BCA because I want to learn from the best and be around other people who love engineering.

My BCA Plan

This is my plan for using the labs and working with other builders at BCA. I am not just here for classes.

9th Grade - Freshman

Getting Started

Starting with AP Computer Science to learn Java and basic code logic. I am also looking forward to the lab cycles like CAD design in Inventor and finally getting into the Makerspace to build what I design.

AP CS AJavaCADMakerspace

10th Grade - Sophomore

Learning the Hard Stuff

Moving on to tougher topics like data structures and databases. I will also be working on digital logic to see how software and hardware actually link up.

Data StructuresPostgreSQLDigital Logic

11th Grade - Junior

Robots and Space Tech

Focusing on aerospace engineering and mechatronics. I will be using the math modules and labs to run simulations and learn about space tech.

AerospaceMechatronicsDiscrete Math

12th Grade - Senior

My Big Project

Ending with a year long capstone project where I take an engineering idea and build it for real. I also want to help out the newer students once I am a senior.

CapstoneAgileMentorshipLegacy

How I Build Projects

How I Build My Projects

I am not just a coder; I am a technical conductor. I use AI to help me build bigger things and solve problems way faster than I could on my own.

Mapping it Out

The Visionary (Me)

I come up with the big ideas and figure out exactly how the whole project should work.

Coding with AI

The Builder (AI)

I use AI to help me write the code faster and test out different ways to build things.

Making it Perfect

Collaborative Polish

I check every line of code to fix bugs and make sure everything is perfect before I'm finished.

School and Grades

I try to push myself in every class, especially when it comes to math and logic.

My Classes

I've been in all honors classes since middle school started. I'm taking Algebra now where I have a 100%, and my overall average is usually above 95%. I like pushing myself to do well in every class, especially math.

Math Score (NJSLA)

804

Top 7% in NJ

NJSLA ELA

794

Spring 2024

Honors Classes

All

Throughout Middle School

Algebra Class

100%

IXL Math Challenge

I always like to challenge myself, so on IXL, I practice math problems from higher grades. My IXL math score is 990, which is basically the beginning of 10th grade. It motivates me to keep reaching new goals.

Download Full Diagnostic Report

Sports & Accomplishments

Whether it's on the field or the court, I always play to win. I'm proud of what I've achieved and how I've improved.

Athletics

Soccer

North Bergen Champions

I've been playing rec soccer since I was 6 years old. My team actually won the North Bergen Championship, which was huge. In our 11-game season, I had 6 goal contributions, including the clutch goal in our 2-1 semi-final win. It's my main sport and something I'm really proud of.

Athletics

Basketball

Gym Practice & School Games

I don't play for a team, but I'm at the gym practicing and working on my game 2-3 times a week. My friends and I always have games going at school, too. It's high energy and keeps me sharp.

AI-Human Collaboration

What I’ve Built

Games and tools I built to solve actual problems

This Website

AI helped mapping it out

I wanted to build my own site from scratch for my BCA application instead of just using a basic website builder. I used AI to help me map out the site structure while I focused on the design and details.

Wordle Word Analyzer

AI helped with the logic

I built a tool that uses math to find the best Wordle opener. I wrote the math for how the game picks words and worked with AI to process the massive word list.

Try the Analyzer

🌍

Geo Bee

AI helped with the database

After getting out first in the Geo Bee, I built this game so it wouldn't happen again. It is Wordle for capitals, and I used AI to help me quickly source the database of 50 state names and their capitals.

Play the Game

🧟

2D Zombie Shooter

AI helped debug

I built this in 2 weeks over the summer. I used AI as a debugging tool to find errors in my game logic, which helped me ship the final version way faster.

Play Game on itch.io

ForBrokes

AI helped with the search

ForBrokes helps people find the cheapest tickets. I built the whole site from scratch and used AI to help me build the search and make sure it works for everyone.

Visit ForBrokes.com

1v1 Basketball

AI helped with the physics

A basketball game coded from scratch using HTML5 Canvas. I built the shooter mechanics and worked with AI to make the ball move like it's in the real world.

Play on itch.io

First Projects

I started coding when I was around 7 or 8 with Scratch. I turned out 19 different projects, which is basically how I learned the basics of how code works.

Explore My Scratch Profile

How I Started MixBrix

How I turned a LEGO idea in my garage into an actual product that people are using.

The Idea

When my dad said I needed to sell my old LEGO sets before getting new ones, I had an idea: "Why not make a QR code out of LEGO?" The first prototype failed... but persistence led to MixBrix.

What it is

QR Frame is a QR code made from LEGO pieces that you can change whenever you want. It's a stylish, modern alternative to paper, allowing businesses to change destinations instantly through the physical frame.

Real World

I've already sold some to places like Baires Cafe and Heights Burger. It's been cool seeing people actually use something I made.

Where I Started

Sustainable Design
Instantly Updatable
High Visibility
Wall/Desk Options

Learn More at MixBrix.com

Single$39.903-Pack$99.90

MixBrix is more than just a product. It’s proof that I love building things and that I’ll bring that same energy to BCA.

What I’m Good At

Some of the things I’m working on and milestones I’ve hit along the way.

500+ Day Club

My Biggest Streak

I practice German every day and I'm in the top 1% of learners because I never miss a day.

Learning German (B1)

Daily learning since 2024

Native Bilingual (English/Turkish)

Planning Spanish next

Coding

Building with AI
Talking to AI
Full-stack Next.js
Java
Coding since age 7.5

Sports

Soccer (6+ years)
42-inch Vertical Jump (PR)
Gym training (1.5 years)

Visual Memory

I’ve always loved anything to do with geography. I have a really strong visual memory, so I can usually just remember every flag and country I see without even really trying. It’s just something I’ve always been good at.

Flag memory

200+

I can name almost every flag in the world. I don't really know why, but I just think the designs and the history behind them are super cool.

Rubik's cube solving

17s

3x3 Record

1m 28s

4x4 Record

I've been solving cubes since I was 8. It’s mostly just about learning the patterns and getting my hands to move as fast as possible. I can basically do it without even thinking now.