AN ATHLONE primary school has become the first in South Africa to launch a 4th Industrial Revolution (4iR) STREAM laboratory.
Silverlea Primary school pupils and teachers will get access to an exciting world of drones, 3D printing, robotics and artificial intelligence. This was made possible through the STREAM education specialist and non-profit organisation, Sakhikamva Foundation.
STREAM (Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Aeronautics and Mathematics) education focuses on the development of essential skills and knowledge, by enabling children to enjoy hands-on experience with the technologies that are currently re-shaping the world.
It’s an important priority for education in South Africa, where some children still matriculate without ever getting their hands on a computer.
The new 4iR STREAM Lab at Silverlea Primary will include learners and their educators in a unique community of practice to develop creative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Through its various programmes, the NPO offers a range of programmes, exposing pupils to tangible experiences in the STREAM career fields.
Programmes include the Link Camp which is an aviation leadership camp for youth exposing them to the aerospace environment while developing essential skills such as leadership, knowledge of the aviation sectors, basic flying skills and aerodynamics, robotics, aerospace science and nature related activities.
Other programmes offer focussed robotics workshops and holiday clubs for learners to develop problem solving, electronics and information technology skills, and an opportunity for 36 young South Africans to experience flight for the first time.