A robotics and coding club from Erica Primary School in Belhar is appealing for financial and logistical support as it prepares to compete on the international stage in Australia later this year.
The RC Squared Robotics and Coding Club has qualified for the First LEGO League Asia Pacific Championship, which will be held in Sydney in July. The team, known as the “Pixel Pioneers”, will compete against some of the world’s top young innovators.
Speaking to VOC News, coordinator and coach Vernon Petersen said the competition challenges learners across several areas, including robotics performance, teamwork, and innovation.
“So basically, our learners entered the First LEGO League competition and are working on innovation projects. There are different elements to the competition, including robot performance, core values, and the innovation project,” Petersen said.
He said learners are tasked with developing solutions to real-world problems using coding and robotics tools.
“The big element is the innovation project that learners work towards completing, using tools like coding and microcontrollers to solve real-world problems,” he said.
Petersen added that the programme is aimed at exposing learners from underserved communities to opportunities often out of reach.
“The biggest idea behind this was to give our learners exposure to this world because it is usually only accessible to elite schools,” he said.
However, he said funding remains the biggest challenge.
“Robotics is quite an expensive sport. Just the registration alone for the competition is around $42,000, excluding travel and accommodation,” Petersen said.
He has urged members of the public and businesses to come forward with support. Interested parties can contact Petersen on 082 607 4307 for sponsorships, partnerships, or other forms of assistance.
Photo: Supplied
