Sacred Heart College pupils are taking their first steps into the world of electronics and robotics at the biennial Science Fest running from 5 to 7 April at the school.
The festival affords pupils the opportunity to acquire computer programming and engineering skills from coach Michael Ettershank from the TechnoLab at the University of Johannesburg.
Ettershank taught pupils the skills of driving desktop scale robots through a maze using graphics software to teach robots autonomous manoeuvres, propelling them from the beginning of the maze to the end without operator.
The Science Fest was opened by Professor David Block, a world-renowned astronomer and mathematician.
Block is a highly sought-after motivational speaker who has devoted more than 30 years to encouraging audiences around the globe to always look up and to never give up. Speaking to the Sacred Heart pupils, Block encouraged them to do just that.
Sacred Heart College principal, Heather Blanckensee said the festival creates a platform for the pupils to enhance their skills. “The thing is that with pupils, they constantly need some sort of inspiration. While the teachers can be that inspiration and parents can provide that support, it is always great having someone from outside who has walked an inspiring path,” Blanckensee said.
She added that science has always been a very important part of the school and a significantly large number of students take science as a subject. “What we are particularly proud of is that they do the sciences and the arts, so they balance the two. A number of our students have won national and international science awards,” said Blanckensee.
