Page 6 - Education Supplement February 2025

BUILDING SKILLS FOR

TOMORROW:

The Role of Robotics in Education

obotics and coding are specific tasks or solve challenges. For instance, calculating angles and
transforming how students distances becomes a dynamic exercise when students program a robot to
Rlearn, introducing practical and navigate a maze or move objects.
essential skills for the modern world. In
South Africa, introducing robotics and Gershom Aitchison explains, “Robotics allows students to explore challenges
coding into the school curriculum for from different angles and figure out practical solutions. It’s about building
grades R to 9 marks a significant step problem-solving skills and confidence through doing.”
towards equipping students with tools
to think critically, solve problems, and This process encourages learners to experiment, adjust, and keep going
tackle challenges creatively. when things don’t work immediately. The experience of debugging a
program or tweaking a design becomes a valuable lesson in resilience and
Robotics: Turning Ideas Into critical thinking.
Action
Robotics transforms learning from Bridging the Gap Between Learning and the Future
theory into hands-on discovery. South Africa’s adoption of robotics in schools reflects a commitment to
Students see how abstract concepts preparing students for future industries, from artificial intelligence and
like mathematics, physics, and logic fintech to environmental technology. Beyond technical skills, robotics
apply in real life through activities such introduces students to the kind of thinking needed to innovate in new and
as programming robots to complete emerging fields.

Education | February 2025 | 4