A robotics coup for ORT SA, teachers and pupils

Starting by upskilling teachers, teaching pupils and then coming second – 1% away from declaring victory – in an international coding and robotics competition is a huge coup for ORT SA on 20 October.

In this, ORT SA perfectly accomplished its goal of not allowing a person’s background to predetermine their success. The organisation strives to incorporate this ethos through its mission to upskill and educate young South Africans in disadvantaged areas for a promising future.

This particular journey began four years ago, when ORT SA, in partnership with STET, implemented a coding and robotics extra-curricular programme in 2017 at Curtis Nkondo School of Specialisation. The primary focus of the extra-curricular programme was to help teachers empower their students with technological and entrepreneurial skills.

In October, the ORT SA YEP team, comprising of four teachers and 12 pupils, called Team CNSOS, participated in the World ORT YEP Competition, which consisted of seven competitors from different geographic locations such as Argentina and Brazil, to name a few.

For the final competition, Team CNSOS decided to create a prototype health booth that will alleviate pressure at clinics, and be of convenience to public citizens of South Africa.

After months of hard work and preparation, Team CNSOS showcased their invention to the panel of the YEP Final Competition judges and did a phenomenal job that was recognised and commended.