A school team from the Frances Baard District has made it to the national robotics competition after their impressive performance at the provincial level. This success has prompted a call to unlock robotics skills in the district, encouraging more schools to participate in this growing field.
The team, known as “Zero 2 Heroes,” from Kimberley Technical High School, not only qualified for the national finals but also won the Engineering Excellence Award. Another team from the same school also clinched the Motivate Award, showcasing the talent and dedication within the district.
The FIRST provincial robotics competition saw participation from 23 school teams across the Northern Cape. The overall winners were the Tesla Minions team from Carnarvon High School, who also received the Robot Game Award. They will be one of the five teams representing the Northern Cape at the national competition in Johannesburg later this year.
The competition required teams to design and construct robots using Lego, resulting in unique trophies made from the iconic toy. The event showcased not only technical skills but also teamwork, analytical thinking, and critical problem-solving abilities.
Gerald Neels, a teacher from Kimberley Technical High School, expressed his pride in the teams’ performance and emphasized the importance of robotics education. He urged other schools, especially primary schools, to participate in robotics competitions and highlighted the support available through the Department of Education and the University of South Africa (Unisa).
Neels also acknowledged the assistance provided by Sol Plaatje University in training and preparing the school teams for competitions. He emphasized that exposure to robotics as both a subject and a sport has positively impacted the learners, aligning them with the demands of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The call to unlock robotics skills in the Frances Baard District emphasizes the need for support and resources to make robotics education more accessible to schools. By embracing robotics, schools can equip students with valuable skills for future career prospects and foster their analytical and critical thinking abilities.
FAQ:
Q: How did the Kimberley Technical High School robotics team perform?
A: The team, named “Zero 2 Heroes,” qualified for the national finals and won the Engineering Excellence Award.
Q: Which team won the overall competition at the provincial level?
A: The Tesla Minions team from Carnarvon High School emerged as the overall winners of the competition.
Q: How can schools access support for robotics education?
A: The Department of Education and the University of South Africa (Unisa) offer training and equipment for teachers interested in introducing robotics in their schools.
Q: Why is robotics education important?
A: Robotics education equips students with technical skills, analytical thinking, and critical problem-solving abilities in line with the demands of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Q: What were the unique trophies made from?
A: The trophies were made from Lego, the toy building brick that the teams used to design and construct their robots.