Learners compete through coding and robotics
Some of the inventions by the learners were on display at the Let Kids Code event on November 10. Certificates were also awarded to the participants.
Educational and training non-profit organisation ORT SA held its Let Kids Code initiative on November 10 at Stable Inn.
The Let Kids Code project saw 75 children, between the ages of 11 and 14, along with teachers from several schools in the greater Tsakani area learn coding and robotics.
This is part of a programme on how to design solutions to everyday problems.
A group of Grade Five learners from Mega Primary School showed their knowledge by inventing a soil moisture sensor, which they say was simple but challenging at first.
“Our system is designed to detect if the soil is dry or malnourished,” said Simphiwe Hlatshwayo, one of the group members.
“The system will provide the plants with water and nutrients. If bugs are trying to eat the plants, the system will spray pesticides into the air.”
The established coding groups in the programme also had the opportunity to design their own games for the exhibition where they displayed their innovative games and used skills acquired through the ORTSA.
Grade Nine learners from Mbongeni Mgugudu Secondary School designed an action game that allows the player to fight drug dealers, human traffickers and terrorists.
“The games put the player in different scenarios where they fight criminals to make the world a better place,” said Siyamthanda Ndlovu.
“It is more of an action game than it is educational, but at least it makes the player interact and learn more about these dangerous groups of people.
The project, which began last year in September, mainly addressed the need for ICT and STEM skills in previously disadvantaged schools and communities by bringing coding courses to learners in these schools and communities.
Jeanette Smith, ORT SA head of communications and marketing, says the project addressed the need to empower females to be actively part of the STEM and coding/robotics fields, which saw more female teachers take part in the project.
“The project aimed to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills for both teachers and learners and the need to expand participants’ creativity and imagination when it comes to teaching and learning in the classroom through technology,” said Smith.
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