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 NPO ORT SA held its Let Kids Code initiative on November 10 at Stable Inn.
The Let Kids Code project, which began in October 2021, involved teams of 150 learners aged between 10 and 14 and 30 educators from seven primary schools and 11 secondary schools within the greater Tsakani area.
Learners could showcase their coding and robotics projects, including 2D games, for which they had received initial training from ORT SA.
“ORT SA directed learners and their educators to explore challenges in their local community and to see how these could be solved using technology,” said Jeanette Smith, ORT SA head of communications and marketing.
“Educators received laptops, micro bits and sensors to assist them with teaching requirements, as well as the necessary technical skills and knowledge for the field,” said Smith.
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.
The system will provide 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 where they displayed their skills and innovative games.
Brilliant Boys 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.
After all the teams showcased their inventions, three schools were selected as overall winners. Mega Primary School won with their health and wellness program, which is integrated with Home Affairs data, to manage queues in public hospitals and clinics by making the filing system readily and easily available.
Mbongeni Mgududu Secondary School (formerly known as Tsakane Extension 8 Secondary) won for gaming focused on farming and cropping and how agriculture can help in job creation.
The audience’s project of choice was won by Michael Mkhwanazi Primary School for their Life Saver project. This project focused on providing the community with a device they can use to call emergency services should they require healthcare.
The event was attended by senior provincial education department officials, including Somikazi Chabalala, the director for the Gauteng East District, as well as management from ORT SA.
READ MORE: Let Kids Code creates future coders and roboticists
