Four learners from Robokids, a robotics club based in Kuils River, are set to represent the Western Cape in the national leg of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) in Pretoria on 13 September.
The learners, competing as two separate teams, took part in the WRO provincial competition held at Parklands College on Saturday 9 August.
Team ShiriInc, an all-girls team made up of Shiloh Kamish (Soneike High School) and Riche Herbert (Excelsior High School, Belhar), is tackling the global challenge of space debris.
McBoyd Mechanics, an all-boys team consisting of Griffen Boyd (Jan Kriel School) and Caleb Mckerry (De Kuilen High School), is developing innovative solutions for futuristic transport in tomorrow’s cities.
“Although our club has been running for nine years we relocated to Cape Town only in January,” said Jillian August, coach of Robokids. “Every participant is a first-year robotics student.”
Robotics is offered as an extracurricular subject to learners from Grade R to Grade 9 at the Robokids Learning Centre in Church Street, Kuils River.
Support needed
“From the moment they enrolled these young innovators have been unstoppable, spending long weekends, sacrificing their winter holidays and dedicating countless hours to building, coding and perfecting their research projects.”
The Robokids high-school teams decided just seven weeks before the event to compete in the WRO’s Future Innovators Junior and Senior categories.
“Their hard work, perseverance and determination paid off. They won first place in both categories, earning them the title of Western Province champions.”
Jillian August, Robokids coach
August said the next challenge is to get the learners to Pretoria.
“For these bright young minds the nationals are not just a competition, but an opportunity to showcase their innovation, gain exposure to national-level STEM excellence and inspire other youth in our community.
“Unfortunately, without financial support they may not be able to attend.”
August said the estimated cost to cover expenses for the learners in Pretoria from 11 to 14 September is around R60 000. Donations or sponsorship (that includes branding opportunities) would be welcomed.
. Contact Jillian August on 064 504 2851 or email jillian@robokidsa.co.za to assist.
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