Curro Durbanville High School is gearing up to celebrate National Science Week in style as it proudly plays host to the prestigious World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Western Cape Regional competition on Saturday, 5 August 2023. The event promises to be the largest regional competition in South Africa, with teams of learners from schools across the province vying for top honors.
The occasion will be graced by the presence of the esteemed Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, who will deliver the opening address, underscoring the significance of this globally recognised competition for the region.
For Curro, a school that has been championing coding and robotics as part of its curriculum since 2013, hosting the WRO is a moment of immense pride. Dr. Tony Williams, Chairperson of the WRO Western Cape, affirms that the competition provides an excellent platform to inspire South African learners to explore the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Beyond that, the event fosters crucial skills like innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork, essential attributes in the rapidly evolving contemporary world.
Notably, Curro learners have consistently demonstrated their prowess in the WRO, with an impressive 25% of national competitors hailing from the institution each year. In previous international competitions, Curro’s teams have proudly represented South Africa, showcasing their exceptional talents on a global stage.
South Africa’s journey with the World Robot Olympiad began in 2010, with 40 teams participating nationally. Since then, the program has seen remarkable growth, with over 608 teams competing in 2022. The Western Cape region, in particular, has witnessed a surge, expanding from just two teams in 2011 to over 100 teams in 2022.
The 2023 competition will feature five captivating categories tailored to different age groups and skill levels. The Explorer category serves as an entry-level challenge for newcomers aged 8 to 16, while the RoboMission beckons experienced roboteers between 8 and 19 to design, construct, and program autonomous robots capable of solving specific challenges. The RoboSport category offers an exhilarating tennis-themed sports competition where two teams use autonomous robots. Future Innovators gives learners the opportunity to showcase their advanced intelligent robotics solutions, while Future Engineers challenges older learners to apply an engineering workflow to solve real-world problems.
The participants’ performances will be closely evaluated, and the top teams from around the country will be invited to compete in the South African National competition in Gauteng in September. This national contest will determine the best teams to represent South Africa in the international finals in Panama later this year.
Since its inception in 2004, the World Robot Olympiad has become a global phenomenon, attracting 40,000 talented young learners from 85 countries who compete in various categories. This year’s theme, ‘Connecting the World,’ highlights the pivotal role that robots play in developing safer, more sustainable, and efficient shipping and digital technology infrastructure.
As Curro Durbanville High School prepares to host the WRO Western Cape Regional competition, the excitement and anticipation for a celebration of innovation and STEM excellence are palpable. With the competition’s impressive track record and the promising talent on display, South Africa’s participation in the World Robot Olympiad continues to grow, cementing its place on the coding and robotics map.