Introducing Coding and Robotics at Butterworth High School - 2023

'There is a school in the Old Transkei, to all of us so dear. And to the school of Butterworth High, we come from far and near...'

Those words are taken from the school song, one I sang with honor and pride for 12 schooling years. The melody echoed in my mind as I paid an overdue visit to the School Principal's office, and luckily this time not for causing any kind of trouble with the teachers.

The main reason for this visit to Butterworth High School (BHS), my alma mater, was to offer my volunteered efforts in introducing coding and robotics to the intermediate phase learners.

In the 3 months I spent at the school, I watched in dismay as some of the key values and principles we held up to high standards during our time at the school were no longer being followed. Some of the main activities we had that fostered the school's culture are not being enjoyed by the current cohort of learners enrolled in the school.

I imagined what it must be like for the learners now, having to learn and grasp knowledge in such challenging circumstances yet still remain optimistic about your chances at the future. The school is not in the best of conditions, perhaps that can be attributed to a number of socio-economic challenges in the region and other related issues affecting the school.

There is hope in the current leadership team that is eager to transform the school back to its former glory and have opened their doors to those who come with an intervention that can assist or support the school in any way. During my meeting with Mr. Nohesi, the Principal, we found synergies in our discussion on the coming Coding and Robotics subject which will be rolled out to schools in 2024.

I offered to help onboard the school of Butterworth High School to Coding and Robotics, leveraging tools and resources that are available publicly as my way of helping the staff of the school get a head start with teaching the subject. This was also driven by an intention to impact the learners with the latest trends in technology while opening their minds to dream bigger and look towards the future with excitement.

There are many benefits to learners who are actively learning coding and robotics, I have highlighted these on my website. Following my presentation to the Principal I then met with the Curriculum Head, Mr. Hlaleleni, as well as the Head of the Intermediate Phase Department, Mr. Stamper, who both welcomed the program with enthusiasm and assisted in finding gaps within the timetable for the lessons to take place.

The Introductory lessons began with an overview of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and some of the devices we use to engage with the internet or as we like to call it, the Metaverse. A total of 452 learners were engaged in the lessons that introduced Coding and Robotics from Grades 4 to 7.

With the periods only being 1 hour long, it posed a challenge of not having enough time in the hour to allow all learners to interact with the equipment due to the shortage in resources as well as the time it takes to go around the class of average 50-60 learners enabling them to have an up-close look at the elements of the topics.

Following the theory lessons, the program moved on to the next phase where learners who passed the first assessment task began building basic electric circuits. These projects were practical demonstrations of some of the Natural Science, Mathematics, and Social Science lessons which some of the students related to. I then localized all the content to be in line with the Department of Basic Education's (DoE) implementation of the pilot in other schools.

Some of the basic circuits the learners got to build were using the onboard sensors in the BBC Micro:Bit v2 while others used the auto plant watering kit, and others buidling two-way communication circuits to light up LEDs when a radio receives a transmitted message.

The learners got to learn and be exposed to other related concepts such as Cybersecurity, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence as we explored answers to some of their questions about the future of technology. Now that they had a chance to find out more, we found ourselves spending more time with others during their break and while their wait for their transport to fetch them after school.

As I concluded the program, leading up to the revision week for the mid-year exams. The lessons had to pause in order to allow for the learners to revise for their mid-year exams, with the school now having kits it means the learners will be able to pick up where they left off and continue after the June-July recess.

While the revision week was underway, it gave me an opportunity to finally have the training session for the teaching staff. I was introduced to Ms. Zenzile and Mr Dlubengani, who had been part of the DoE's pilot program and have gone for a few workshops where they were taught of platforms such as Tanks and Scratch.

What our conversation revealed was the lack of basic understanding of this 'Coding and Robotics' subject, Why was it necessary to know about it at a professional level, and How it will enable future opportunities to benefit the youth of Butterworth which they have a responsibility of empowering with these skills.

The training of the teachers is one way I ensure they are able to support the learners in the last phase of the pilot program where they need to build projects. My part is to introduce it and onboard them to the basics, then further provide support to the teaching staff while they work with the learners to build projects.

In the limited time we had before schools closed, I did my best to ensure the school has a framework and model to run a Club that will keep the learners engaged. My volunteer efforts have now reached the end, the school has been introduced successfully and is now ready to roll out the subject in 2024.

I'm excited for the next school term, although I will not be there physically, we have created channels of communication where they will keep me updated and where I can also share more content to help them build projects for their grand exhibition during this years' National Science Week.

All this would not have been possible without the presence of Ms. Myataza-Koyana, one of the teaching staff at the school who has been working closely with our leader of the BHS Alumni group which is aiming to collectively restore the school to its former glory.

Leaving these young engineers to now run on their own, I have full confidence in the Butterworth High School Coding and Robotics club to continue paving the way towards a 4IR enabled society in Butterworth.

Let me finish off this one with the rest of the lyrics to the school song, hoping they echo in melody for future generations to come as they forge their own future.

'...We try to live up to its motto, to hold up high its name.

In classrooms, playgrounds, and the sports fields, we try to play the game.

So onwards upwards BHS. Follow your Scarlet's eagle's flight.

So onwards upwards BHS. Do what your do with all your might!'

For direct enquiries or to donate towards the school, get in touch with the principal or email [email protected].