Special-needs pupils to tackle robotics competition

Fouzia Van Der Fort|Published 9 months ago

Jayden Kennis, 14, and Ethan Scott, 13, demonstrate their teamwork.

Pupils with learning difficulties will compete against mainstream schools at a regional robotics competition later this year.

Pupils at the Beacon School for Learners with Special Education Needs, in Westridge, are preparing for the First Robotics Competition held by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA).

According to the SAASTA, the annual challenge is based on a theme representing a real-world problem. Teams have to research the problem and come up with a solution. They have at least eight weeks to design and build a robot that will compete against other teams.

Teams can progress from a regional tournament, to be held in October, to national and international championships.

“Our learners started playing with the robotics in February, and they are ready to compete in competition against mainstream schools,” said teacher Zelia van Rooyen.

Last Friday, the pupils showed off what they have learned so far.

Reece Phillips, 12, and Riley Coetzee, 11, doing some coding.

Teacher Chandre Constant helps pupil Tashriq Jantjies, 14, match a Lego piece to a chart.