To encourage the subsequent technology of engineers, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) gave 114 Grade 9 learners from colleges throughout Nelson Mandela Bay a first-hand look into the world of automotive engineering.
On 30 September and 1 October, learners have been divided into teams of three and supplied with tools to construct their very own miniature autos, designed to race down a ramp. Learners noticed their creations in movement, supporting each other as every workforce’s design accomplished the problem. The exercise was designed to advertise problem-solving, creativity, and progressive considering, that are key abilities in science and engineering.
VWGA’s product growth workforce, in partnership with Nelson Mandela University’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in ACTION programme, hosted the scholars from Andrew Rabie High School, Strelitzia High School, Uitenhage High School, Hoërskool Cillié High School, Marymount Secondary School, Motherwell High School and Sanctor High School.
STEM in ACTION is a group engagement initiative spearheaded by the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology at Nelson Mandela University. The programme focuses on supporting Grade 8–12 learners and their educators in arithmetic and bodily science, with the target of equipping learners with the competencies required to pursue additional research in STEM-related careers.
In addition to strengthening tutorial foundations, STEM in ACTION performs a task in fostering profession consciousness by offering alternatives for learners and academics to discover STEM-related profession pathways.
“Our aim at STEM in ACTION is to ignite curiosity and open doors to opportunities that many learners may not have imagined possible,” says Nabeelah Jappie, advertising and marketing co-ordinator of STEM in ACTION.
“Activities like these not only make science and engineering exciting and accessible, but they also help young people build scarce skills they will need to thrive in the future. Collaborations with industry partners such as VWGA are invaluable in showing learners the real-world of what they are learning in the classroom.”
VWGA is in its first 12 months of partnering with STEM in ACTION and seeks to encourage learners to pursue careers in STEM. As a part of this collaboration, VWGA’s product growth workforce gave individuals a glimpse into the each day lifetime of an engineer and inspired them to think about this profession path.
Réhan Strydom, VWGA product growth division head, says: “At Volkswagen Group Africa, we recognise the urgent need to grow South Africa’s pool of skilled engineers and innovators. By opening our doors to learners and showing them what engineering looks like in practice, we hope to grow the profession, spark curiosity and passion, and ultimately contribute to building the next generation of problem-solvers who will help drive both our industry and our country forward.”