Barnard Molokoane Comprehensive School in Parys is celebrating the success of three Grade 11 learners who shone at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals for their impressive scientific investigation projects. The school’s subject teacher for Coding and Robotics in Gr 8 and 9 and Engineering Graphics and Design in Gr 10, 11 and 12, Mpho Gift Tsuinyana, said the achievement shows just how important it is for young people to learn how to work together and apply their knowledge to real-life challenges.
“These are the skills that will carry our learners into the future and with support of community partners like Ilikwa Solar, our learners are being recognised and encouraged to explore their talents, share their ideas, and gain confidence by competing on a bigger stage,” he explained.
Achieving the only gold medal (80%+) for the Fezile Dabi municipal region, Andile Malubela impressed the judges with his ‘Intelligent Navigation Spectacle Glasses’, to assist people with visual impairment or blindness. He now progresses to the national round.
Scooping up a silver medal (70-79%) as well as the overall prize in his category (Earth Sciences) was Rethabile Malok, for his ‘Floods Warning System’, which uses rain, soil and water level sensors to predict and detect floods. Following closely with a bronze medal (60-69%) for his ‘Thermoleaf Day and Night Renewable Energy Project’, which proposes the combination of solar power and wind power production, was Thabang Tladi.
Teaching coding and robotics, which helped these learners succeed in the competition, is becoming increasingly important in community schools. These subjects don’t just open doors to better job opportunities in the future, they also teach young people how to think differently, solve everyday problems, and use their creativity in a world that is becoming more digital every day.
“Our learners’ success shows just how important it is to spark a real curiosity and love for these exciting subjects from as early as Grade 8, subjects we are proud to offer here at Barnard Molokoane Comprehensive,” added Tsuinyana.
Congratulating the three learners and the school on their achievements, Jo-Anne Brown, Country Economic Development Manager for Ilikwa Solar shared, “It’s wonderful to see learners’ hard work and talent being recognised in this way. By introducing coding and robotics, our young people are not just learning from books, they are actively exploring, creating, and building skills that will undoubtedly prepare them for future opportunities.”
Currently under construction in the area, Ilikwa Solar sees education and skills development as a priority investment area and looks forward to strengthening its relationship with Barnard Molokoane Comprehensive School and other local institutions through its Economic Development Programme.
