Inspired by its annual Robot Car Race, the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (EECE) and Unit for Community Engagement have initiated a Robot School where UP students teach learners how to make robots. 

Professor Tania Hanekom, Head of Undergraduate Studies and a Biomedical Engineering lecturer in the department, has been playing around with the idea of the Robot School for years. “2020 was such a challenge, and the Robot School just seemed feasible after dealing with so many tough situations during the pandemic,” she says. “Our country and the world have so many problems, and engineers thrive on solving problems. Just imagine how much good can come from more learners deciding to enrol for a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics [STEM] than what is presently the case.”

The school provides a platform through which students in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT) can serve the community by presenting a fun STEM education activity to school learners. “The curriculum was designed around a low-cost robot platform that was developed for the Robot School by several of our senior EECE students; the curriculum is targeted at Grades 8 to 11 learners,” Prof Hanekom said. 

“We want to fit a pair of wings to our aspiring engineers, then push them over the edge into a world of exploring and learning on their own,” she added. “We are also in discussions with an industry partner who is interested in supporting the school in the future, which would aid the sustainability of the project in the long run.”