![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/09/NC39AMProbotics-L-Jared-Reeders-from-Midstream-College-C-Rueben-Pretorius-and-Matthew-Whyte-from-Maragon.-Small.jpg)
Two pupils from Maragon Private Schools, Rueben Pretorius and Matthew Whyte will represent their school and the country at the upcoming World Robotics Olympiad in Russia in November.
The two science enthusiast will join three other teams from SA at the world event, after they took first place at the National Robotics Olympiad that was held at the Tshwane University of Technology on 30 August.
According to their educators, the boys showed a keen interest in robotics three years ago and entered the nationals under the theme Robots assisting Humans in Space. Referring to themselves as ‘Space Invaders’ and ‘Delta 3’, the team designed and built a complex and technically advanced robot which is programmed to be a 3D printer.
“We are extremely proud of their achievements. We wish them all the best for their tour to Russia. We are confident they will return with excellent results,” added the school’s principal Deon Visser.
Robotics is garnering a lot of attracting in South Africa after seven teams from the country, competed against 35 countries. The three-day international competition which starts from 21 to 23 of November, is open to pupils between the ages of seven and 19 years old to compete in various categories. The lego-based competition encourages the development of creative thinking and problem-solving skills that assist in the programming of the NXT and EV3 devices.