Johannesburg – Learners from Carnarvon High School flew back home on Friday after participating in the international robotics competition in Morocco.
The young learners from the Karoo, Northern Cape, South Africa, came 33rd out of 66 teams in the Robot Game category.
The Carnarvon High School robotics team, known as the Toxic Legos, consists of seven learners, namely Cadi Jann, Almay van Wyk, Azalia Olivier, Winetro Lottering, Tylor Mouers, Revan de Wee and Shamira Slaverse.
“Thanks for flying the SA flag high. Better luck next time,” said South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe.
Speaking to The Bulrushes, the SARAO spokesperson explained that the competition is aimed at challenging learners to think like scientists and engineers.
The robotics competition, which ran from 18 – 21 May 2023, was organised under the auspices of the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology (FIRST) Lego League.
The Robotics Schools Programme, also known as the LEGO Schools Programme, is managed by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) Schools Programme in the Human Capacity Development department.
The programme started in 2016 in order to develop and inspire an interest in science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) skills in the schools around the development of the MeerKAT radio telescope, a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
The Robotics Schools Programme introduces STEM concepts to learners through fun activities using LEGO Mindstorms Robotics kit.
