Over 600 children, from 30 schools across five provinces, who participated in a robotics challenge have graduated from the training programme. The online course, titled Intro to Mechatronics, is powered by General Electric (GE) Africa in partnership with Digicate.
According to a statement, after six weeks of training in robotics through e-learning modules, the top 30 learners presented their mini Mars rover robots, which they built and programmed, to a panel of judges at the grand finale event last week.
Thirty entries were shortlisted from 63 entries, and some students from the shortlisted entries attended a troubleshooting workshop at the GE Innovation Centre on 30 September.
Prizes were awarded to the top three students as chosen by the panel of judges, and several consolation prizes were awarded to students who showed great potential.
Saeistha Govender from Danville Girls High took the first prize, winning a 3D printer for herself and her school. Siobhan Forbes-Wilkonson from St Annes Dioscesan College, and Rose Mackensie and Olivia Lewis from St Cyprians High, took second and third prizes respectively.
Thomas Konditi, CEO of GE South Africa, says: "GE is committed to skills development in Africa and the i2M programme is one of the many ways in which we are empowering South African youth with valuable skills. We are especially pleased to have worked with local partners to execute such an impactful project that encourages high school students to take an early interest in STEM careers. This will ultimately drive long-term growth in the country."
Digicate's MD Sarah Quadflieg adds: "This has been a fantastic run with GE Africa and other partners, Ryonics Robotics and MakerBot, and we are pleased to have seen it to fruition. We exposed hundreds of students, over 80% of whom were young girls, to STEM fields like robotics, electronics and coding, which traditionally have lower numbers of women involved.
"Seeing the entries come in, shortlisting them, taking the learners through the troubleshooting workshop and, finally, adjudicating the work has been an incredible and enlightening experience. There is a lot that big business and corporate leaders can do for better education in South Africa, and this, our first partnership with GE Africa, is a proof point of this possibility and the far-reaching impact of the work. We are excited for what the future holds."
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