The Cyber Tigers from Swellendam were crowned the victors of a national robotics competition, but that’s not all. Thanks to their big win, they’ve been invited to an international festival in Houston, Texas!
Johannesburg, South Africa (18 January 2024) — Jean Mouton, Luka Steenekamp, Lara Pretorious and Christelle Glatz make up the Cyber Tigers—the impressive team that recently participated in the First Lego League’s national robotics competition and won.
The international competition for children between ages 9 to 16 focuses on different areas in robotics from research to programming and professionalism. The competition heated up in December where two days of rigorous competition were underway in Johannesburg. But, the Cyber Tigers were well prepared to put their best paws forward, and as such emerged victorious against their competitors.
Thanks to their big achievement, they have been invited to represent South Africa at the World Festival in Houston, Texas come April.
This is a chance of a lifetime for the high school students from the rural town of Swellendam who began their quest into the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), not knowing where it would take them.
“Their robotics journey had humble beginnings in our house’s garage 6 years ago when my husband and I decided we wanted to start Lego Robotics in Swellendam,” shares Sanet Glatz.
Since then, the talented students have merged creativity and logic masterfully to raise their stakes in the robotics field; as evident in their recent crowning moment.
Not only are they pretty good at what they do, but they also pay it forward by offering lessons on bucket drumming and robotics both to rural schools and online.
“As we celebrate their victory in South Africa, we are now setting our sights on even greater challenges at the World Festival in Houston Texas,” Sanet adds. But, the Cyber Tigers skills will need support to make it to their dreams.
The Cyber Tigers are looking for support from STEM enthusiasts to help them accommodate competition fees, travel expenses and accommodation as well as the purchase of necessary equipment and materials.
Anyone who wants to see them kick butt in Houston can support their campaign here!
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