The youngsters had little to no prior exposure to AI and Robotics. Photo: Google
The Cape Town Science Centre, to mark the International Day of the Girl Child (11 October), joined hands with Google to offer basic training on Artificial intelligence (AI) and Robotics to South African girls.
The training took place at the Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC), with girls aged 10 to 13 years old in attendance.
The youngsters had little to no prior exposure to AI and Robotics.
The training, which is aimed at bridging the gender gap in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) provides a support system and an empowering environment to inspire girls.
It leads the participants to explore and foster their interest in potential STEM careers particularly related to AI and Robotics; and will offer insights into the real-world applications of AI and robotics.
Theresa Ely-Felino, Coding and Robotics Manager, at CTSC, says it is essential to make a conscious effort to give South African girls the opportunities and support they need to develop an interest in and pursue careers in STEM.
“We are particularly excited with the partnership between The Cape Town Science Centre and Google, which is a promising step in bridging the gender gap in STEM.”
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The training programme covered a range of topics, including the basics of AI, introduction to coding, and how to build and program simple robots.
Google South Africa Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Siya Madikane, said inclusion in technology was not only a matter of equity but also a significant economic growth driver.
“Partnering with the CTSC is in line with Google’s commitment to support digital skills and create sustainable structures for tech education and inclusivity in South Africa.”
According to UNICEF, with only 28.5% of young women in South Africa graduating tertiary institutions in STEM-related careers, the widening gender gap in schools must be addressed.
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