SAFPA has done a noteworthy job of obtaining SAQA registration for the Fluid Power Qualification – but how do we get learners to select school subjects that allow them to enter engineering or science faculties? Tshwane University of Technology has come up with an innovative answer – LEGO!
It is not only up to industry to encourage learners to study engineering and science, the relevant faculties of universities and technical universities also have a vested interest in ensuring that enrolment rates are raised so that graduate numbers are increased.
Pilot schools project
The French South African Technical Institute in Electronics (F'SAITE) at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is the South African operational partner of FIRST LEGO League and is running a pilot project with 16 schools in the Pretoria West district. This aims to create an awareness of engineering and science fundamentals and to influence learners to make appropriate math and science course selections in school.
There are currently 120 South African schools participating in FLL.
The not-for-profit FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology) organisation was founded by inventor Dean Kamen (of Segway Human Transporter fame) to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. It designs accessible, innovative programmes to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an international robotics programme aimed at 10 to 16-year-olds. Each year FLL teams embark on a challenge based on current, real-world issues. Guided by a team coach and assisted by mentors, participants research and solve a real-world problem based on the challenge theme; present their research and solutions; and build an autonomous robot using engineering concepts.
School visit
Recently I spent a day with Pieter Pretorius of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). In the morning we went to Rodney Mokoena Primary School in Soshanguve. The aim of the visit was to select a team of Grade 6 candidates to represent the school in a competition being held later this year. In this competition school teams of 12 learners will compete to build nine working models in a space of one and a half hours.
Armed with 25 special LEGO educational kits, Pretorius faced a group of 75 learners, divided into groups of three, and explained the morning's goals. He introduced the parts of the LEGO kits - blocks, beams, axles and gears - and their interaction and then explained to them how to read the assembly plans for a working model. At the signal the learners started building the models to a strict time limit.
During the morning three such selection tests provided some 200 youngsters with the opportunity to show their technical capabilities. It was interesting to watch the interaction between team members and to see the absolute delight on the faces of those who completed the task in the fastest time.
TUT robotics workshop
In the afternoon eight Grade 6 learners from another school travelled to TUT where Pretorius divided them into two teams and set them a typical challenge. These youngsters had some prior training on the LEGO Mindstorms robotics system and their task for the afternoon was to design, build and program a robot that would travel from a base point to a model oil rig; stop; activate a lever, which would cause three oil barrels to tip off the oil platform; catch the barrels; and return to base with the barrels.
Watching the two teams divide up the activities and set about their tasks was fascinating - some were tasked with designing the activation arm, some with the mechanism to catch the barrels and some with the programming task. At various stages during the afternoon team members tested prototype subassemblies at the model oil rig and by late afternoon each team successfully met the challenge.
For more information contact Pieter Pretorius, FIRST LEGO League, +27 (0)82 479 2714, [email protected], www.fllsa.org.za
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