Johannesburg – Over 150 bright young minds from three schools on Joburg’s East Rand recently took part in the Let Kidz Code event where they could put newly found coding skills to use in creating solutions to everyday challenges.
The Let Kidz Code project forms part of the educational and training non-profit organisation ORT SA’s initiative, in conjunction with leading fuel company Astron Energy, to take ICT and STEM skills to previously disadvantaged schools and communities through coding courses.
The “Let Kidz Code” event took place in Brakpan and saw learners from Tsakane Ext.22 MAGA and Michael Mkwanazi primary schools, as well as Mbongeni Mgugudu Secondary School, take part.
ORT SA CEO Ariellah Rosenberg said what was particularly pleasing this year was that at secondary school level, the participation of female learners was 70% of the total, while at the primary school level, 60% of the participants were girls.
“This reflects the commitment from ourselves and sponsor Astron Energy to advancing girls and women in technology,” Rosenberg said.
She added that the project was designed to foster critical thinking and unlock creative potential through technology as part of preparing young people to navigate the 4th industrial revolution.
“It empowers teachers, enabling them to run Coding clubs in their schools with the support of the ORT SA Team,” Rosenberg added.
“This project helps targeted schools build capacity with skills and resources to implement a curriculum that integrates technology, coding and problem-solving skills.”
Astron Energy spokesperson Cambridge Mokanyane, Head: Corporate Brand and Stakeholder Relations, said: “Projects such as Let Kidz Code is designed to stimulate and foster an interest in technology, equipping young people for the future of work where digital solutions are increasingly being applied to solve everyday problems.”
“We understand that we live in a rapidly changing world and it is critical that we empower and equip our young people with the skills and resources to play a meaningful part in the global digital economy.”
He added that future skills revolved around critical thinking and problem-solving, and that coding and robotics were central to this.
“The Let Kidz Code project is among a number of initiatives Astron Energy is involved in which seeks to build a viable pipeline of talent for a digital future.”
Astron Energy continues to invest heavily in coding and robotics as part of its approach which it calls STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths – to help improve literacy levels, develop problem-solving skills, and give young people the tools to succeed in a digital future.
At the start of the Let Kidz Code project, after receiving initial training from ORT SA, learners and their educators were directed to explore challenges in their local community and to see how these could be solved using technology.
Educators received laptops, micro bits, and sensors, as well as the necessary technical skills and knowledge for the field, to help guide teams of learners as they identified and then sought solutions to common problems.
During the event which took place at the Thabang Conference Centre in Brakpan, notable projects showcased innovative problem-solving skills, including:
Tsakane Ext.22 MAGA Primary School – Eco-Friendly Micro: bit Assessments
The project aimed to replace traditional assessments with an interactive and paperless Micro: bit-based system.
Each learner would receive a Micro: bit for answering questions and receiving instant feedback from educators who could grade answers automatically using the same platform.
Michael Mkwanazi Primary School – School Bathroom Water Leak System
Addressed water wastage concerns, through the development of a detection system using radio communication to alert the principal’s office when taps were left open or leaks occurred. The principal would have the ability to remotely shut off water supply using a Micro: bit
Mbongeni Mgugudu Secondary School – 3Rs & Budget Recycling App
Responding to recycling challenges, the app provides recycling tips, waste pick-up schedules, and budget management tools for recyclers within the community.
Rosenberg said Astron Energy’s ongoing support reaffirmed ORT’s belief that “quality education is the cornerstone of a dignified and independent life and future”.
“With every learner or student we empower, every educator we train, and community we uplift, we inch closer to actualising our mission to make people more employable and to create employment opportunities through ICT and STEM.”
Astron Energy is a leading supplier of petroleum products in Southern Africa, with a network of over 800 service stations in South Africa.
Let Kidz Code: Pupils from Tsakane Ext.22 MAGA Primary School submitted their project Eco-Friendly Micro: bit Assessments which sought to replace traditional paper-based assessments with an interactive and paperless system 
Let Kidz Code: Pupils from Tsakane Ext.22 MAGA Primary School submitted their project Eco-Friendly Micro: bit Assessments which sought to replace traditional paper-based assessments with an interactive and paperless system 
Let Kidz Code: Students from Michael Mkwanazi Primary School with one of their projects called a smart Safety Cabinet
