As the digital revolution accelerates, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education has never been more critical. Curro Aurora in Sundowner, Randburg was recognised as a leader in STEM education by hosting the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Gauteng Regional competition on 19 and 20 July, and 3 August.
The competition saw 239 teams and 593 learners from different schools across the province vying for a coveted spot in the national finals.
“We’re proud to host such an important event that fosters young talent and gives learners the space to play around with coding and robotics,” says Edwin Astle, Subject Head of Technology at Curro Aurora. “Watching learners build their confidence, refine their problem-solving skills, and collaborate creatively is truly rewarding.”
“Our comprehensive coding and robotics curriculum was established in 2013, and its introduction as a curriculum subject has elevated the scope and potential of Educational Technology at an extracurricular level,” says Astle. “The World Robotics Olympiad is not just a competition; it’s a catalyst for inspiring our youth and closing the skills gap in the region and South Africa at large. By immersing learners in the world of robotics and STEM, we’re not only fostering innovation and problem-solving skills but also paving the way for a brighter, more technologically adept future.”
The World Robot Olympiad takes place in over 95 countries with a mission to promote robotics in STEM education worldwide. Categories in the 2024 competition include RoboMission, where teams build and programme LEGO® robots to tackle field challenges; RoboSports, featuring teams designing robots to compete in sports games; Future Innovators, focused on developing robotics projects to address real-world problems; and Future Engineers, which involves creating advanced robotics solutions based on current research trends.
The provincial competition concluded on 3 August. Winners from around the country will compete in the national competition at Curro Aurora in Randburg on 13 and 14 September, where the best and brightest in robotics will be selected to represent South Africa on the world stage. These promising young stars will then compete in the International Finals on 28 and 30 November in Izmir, Turkey.
Visit Curro Aurora at their upcoming Open Day on 17 August to learn more about Curro’s coding and robotics curriculum
