A robotic hand for astronauts in outer space proved to be the winning ticket for a group of nine high school pupils from Carnarvon, who returned to the Northern Cape yesterday after winning the “Inspiration Award” at the international Lego League in Paraguay.
The excited group were greeted yesterday when they arrived at the Kimberley Airport by the newly-elected MEC for Education, Mac Jack.
The pupils, who are in Grade 8 to 10, first participated in the South African leg of the competition last year, which they won with their robotic hand.
Coach Odwa Magabyko was full of praise for his team yesterday, stating that they more than deserved their inspiration award, as they inspired everyone in the competition, which attracted entrants from around the world.
“I cannot believe the growth I have seen in these pupils and how their confidence has grown since being part of the robotic programme. Not only has their confidence grown, but so has their presentation and programming skills as well as their social confidence. They don’t hold back any longer and are comfortable around the best of the best.”
Children as young as six years old are introduced to programming and coding as part of the Lego League and the programme continues into high school.
Among the group were Saadique Hendricks and Thurlo Maritz, both Grade 10 pupils at Carnarvon High, who said yesterday that they could not wait to get back to school and their communities “to be an inspiration and show everyone what can be done if you put your mind to it”.
The boys said that it was the first time they had ever been on an aircraft and were “extremely scared” when they entered the cabin. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was surreal. When we took off, my ears hurt tremendously,” Hendricks said.
But they both said that they “could not believe the amount of movies we watched”.
Hendricks said that as far back as he could remember he had always been interested in robotics and building things. “I used to see my friends building with Lego pieces and that inspired me. When I got to high school and became part of the robotics programme, I knew I had found my niche,” he said.
He said he hoped to continue with the programme until he completed school. “I would then like to coach the younger children.”
Difference
Maritz would like to use the experience to make a difference in the lives of Carnarvon residents. “Even if it is a small difference that would be great. I also wanted to be a positive example to others.”
Both Hendricks and Maritz said that they found their inspiration from the “older boys” as well as their teachers and coach. “I don’t think we would have achieved what we have if it was not for them.”
Magabuko said that with the assistance of SKA they have managed to roll out the programme in both primary and high schools across the Northern Cape.
“When I started working with SKA in 2016 there were five schools involved in the programme. Now we have increased this to nine schools, including Carnarvon, Williston, Loxton, Losberg and Brandvlei.”
Magabuko went on to say that the robotics programme has been competing in various competitions since 2016.
“We entered the World Robot Olympiad and although we won the regional competition we fell short in the national competition. We are also part of the virtual gear programme which is held annually in Texas. Here we just participate via Skype,” he said.
Jack yesterday thanked SKA for its commitment to the programme and said that if it wasn’t for the private sector investing in the Province’s children, it would not be able to enter the fourth revolution.
“We need to take to heart our newly-elected premier’s vision of making this a modern province. Without pupils and teachers like this we will not be able to move forward as people and as a Province.”