Robotics, or, to discuss its broader field of mechatronics, is one of the most important fields of study for young students as it covers just about every aspect of both theoretical and practical engineering, and how to integrate it all into one final product. A robotics lab is a massive boon for any school and now the Joe Slovo Engineering High School in Khayelitsha has one thanks to the Shoprite Foundation.
Based in the Western Cape, this school is the latest to receive such as a gift. Six labs now exist across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Soweto here in Gauteng will also get one later this month in partnership with the Trevor Noah Foundation.
“Launched on 8 May with South African Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube in attendance, the new robotics lab is equipped with robotics kits, microcontrollers, laptops and sensors and combines hands-on and digital learning to take students from foundational coding through to robotics design and programming,” a press release sent to us reads.
“Sifiso EdTech, Shoprite Foundation’s implementation partner, leads the programme by managing setup, equipment, curriculum-aligned content and teacher training. Their ongoing support ensures the lab is continuously integrated into daily teaching and learning, while also leveraging their expertise in delivering education technology solutions.”
The robotics lab will be integrated into the timetable for learners in Grades 8 and 9, forming part of their official assessments for several subjects. Learners in Grades 10, 11 and 12 can instead interact with the lab in a less formal setting, with after school programmes to learn advanced concepts. These concepts include AI, system design and IoT, which are all vitally important for studying in STEM fields and should give the participating students a real leg up on the way to university and beyond.
To prove that point, Maude Modise, director of the Shoprite Foundation (pictured in the header image above alongside students in the new lab) makes mention of a 2023 study. This study mentions constant access to robotics as a key way to increase understanding and inspire children to pursue similar fields in the future. This study also concludes by reiterating this access and hands-on study in children’s developmental period so that they may learn the “language” of technology.
We’re sure that the students at this school will make good use of the new lab, especially considering the impressive history of the institution so far.
“Established in the early 2000s as part of efforts to expand access to secondary education in Khayelitsha, Joe Slovo Engineering High School has grown into one of the area’s most notable academic institutions with a continued focus on strong academic outcomes, achieving recent matric pass rates of up to 99%,” the press release adds.
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Clinton Matos
htxt.co.za
