Ten super-smart kids from South Africa are ready to wow the world with their robot skills! These young geniuses, all just 10 years old, are gearing up for the national First Lego League competition. Taking place next month, they will use their problem-solving skills to tackle the growing issue of microplastics in our oceans.
Johannesburg, South Africa (27 November 2024) – Let’s face it, we’re living in a tech world and robotics are fast becoming the way of the future folks! Ten youngsters, dubbed Robokids, are making moves in using their knowledge of tech to foster play, innovation, and an incredible work ethic.
Together, these bright minds have risen above their years, earning a spot in the national robotics competition, First Lego League, taking place at Scibono on December 6-7. Competing against participants as old as 16, they have proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with!
Last year, they explored the world of masterpieces using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This year, they’re diving deep into the ocean, under the theme Submerged, and it’s all about ocean exploration. As part of the competition criteria, the teams had to identify a problem related to ocean exploration and then come up with an innovative solution to this problem.
“Our boys were really intrigued with something called marine snow and when they discovered that fish poop is a main ingredient of marine snow, the topic was decided. They are 10-year-old boys, so naturally they gravitated towards that,” shares the team’s coach, Juanita van der Merwe.
Through research, the boys identified that the biggest problem of marine snow is microplastics and then asked themselves what they could do to prevent microplastics from reaching the ocean.
“They improved a DIY design for a filter to attach to your washing machine because as it turns out, a lot of microplastics come from our clothes and when we wash the clothes the microplastics go down the drain and eventually end up in the ocean.
“Their idea is to create awareness and get people to make these DIY filters to prevent the microplastics from reaching the ocean,” Juanita explains.
In awe of this group of young changemakers, Juanita gushes about how each child has unique talents, which she likes to refer to as “superpowers”. She is also amazed by their ability to engage in complex concepts by asking insightful questions, challenging the status quo and having fun while doing it.
“We spent time to discover this about each other through a tool called StrengthsExplorer. They know what makes them powerful, but at the same time, they also appreciate and celebrate their friends’ superpowers. I believe our secret weapon is having each other.”
The boys are inspired by South African deep-sea scientist Dr Zoleka Filander whom they reached out to for advice whilst on a mission in the Indian Ocean. This catapulted their belief in themselves, proving that even when they are considered small they can achieve gigantic things!
Robokids was born from Juanita’s desire to stimulate her son, Lian while nurturing his love for robotics. She has been instrumental in guiding these 10-year-old boys, not only in robotics but also in teamwork, leadership, and their greater mission to make a difference.
As they prepare for the big competition, these young innovators are proving that age is just a number. They’re showing us all that with a little creativity and a lot of hard work, kids can change the world!
Sources: Supplied
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