EMPOWERING THE YOUTH THROUGH THE S4 STEM INITIATIVE
2024/02/08
Gqeberha, South Africa, 08 February 2024 – The S4 team comes together in support of the Gelvandale High Hostel .
The fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, often referred to as STEM, are the fundamental building blocks of any economy. South Africa has garnered recognition for its robust engagement in STEM fields, boasting numerous pioneering innovations including automatic pool cleaners, CT scans, sports radar, computer ticket booking, and adhesives, to name a few.
The S4 STEM Initiative is aimed at creating awareness around careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. As part of this initiative, S4 has been hosting STEM Talks since 2017 for Grade 8 - 12 pupils in schools around the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
The STEM Talks cover topics such as Engineering as a career, different types of Engineering, and the path to becoming an Engineering professional. The learners are encouraged to interact with the presenting Engineer and ask questions. The sessions, lasting for an hour, are designed to be interactive and engaging, requiring only a venue and a projector. To add a practical element, a collaborative robot is showcased, enabling students to gain hands-on experience in real-life robot programming.
[From left] Despatch High School, 14 Amperbo St, Bothasrus, Despatch © S4 Integration
In a significant move in 2024, S4 in collaboration with the Young Engineers and Scientists of Africa (YESA), is now offering the Coding and Robotics for Educators Course free of charge. Hosted at S4’s headquarters in Fairview, Gqeberha, this course aims to introduce educators to the fundamentals of Coding and Robotics in the classroom.
Following their visits to nearly 30 schools in 2023 for STEM Talks, it became clear that many learners had a keen interest in coding and robotics. However, a common challenge faced by schools was the lack of a dedicated robotics lab. As part of the STEM Initiative, S4 has stepped in to support schools by providing the necessary information and resources to assist schools when applying for funding from various organizations and institutions for the establishment of coding and robotics labs.
Does your school want to participate in our STEM Initiative Send an email to ettienne.gerwel@s4.co.za to book a session.
