JG Meiring High School has secured third place in a prestigious national robotics competition.
The school participated in the 2024 SITA CSR Robotics Challenge which took place from 25 – 26 September in Summerstrand, Gqeberha.
JG Meiring High School is a pilot school for coding and robotics and a team of learners from the school participated in the challenge. They were tasked with writing an essay based on the theme “Good health and wellbeing”. After demonstrating their creativity and critical thinking, the team was selected to take part in the finals.
Addressing social issues
“This experience showcased their skills in robotics and emphasised the importance of addressing social issues through technology,” says Millicent Merton, WCED spokesperson.
The school reported that participating in robotics competitions is incredibly beneficial for their learners. It exposes them to cutting-edge technology and encourages them to develop critical problem-solving and teamwork skills. As robotics becomes increasingly important in various industries, the school’s involvement in such competitions ensures that their learners are well-prepared for future careers in technology and engineering.
It fosters a spirit of innovation and creativity, empowering students to explore their potential in a rapidly evolving field.
“The school is immensely proud of the team’s performance in the SITA CSR Robotics Challenge. Achieving third place (and winning R200 000 for the school) is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects the hard work, dedication and talent of the learners and educators. Their success not only highlights their technical skills but also their ability to work collaboratively and think critically. We believe this experience will inspire them and their peers to continue pursuing interests in robotics and an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” the school says.
SITA arranged flights and accommodation for the learners. This support was instrumental in ensuring that they could participate in the finals comfortably and safely. It allowed them to focus on the competition without worrying about travel logistics, further demonstrating SITA’s commitment to fostering education and innovation in robotics across South Africa.
