Holiday Workshops
Computer Robotics and Aviation Holiday workshops
at
Iziko South African Museum
For ages 6 to 10 years
A collaboration between Iziko South African Museum, ORT Tech Institute and Sakikhamva
Background
What ORT Tech is doing, is to prepare young learners to understand the basis of the critical thinking, required to succeed in maths and science, through Robotics:
- Robotics gets young people to use the scientific method of thinking including hypothesising, planning, carrying out the plan effectively and reflecting on it once complete.
- The use of technology for learning and development is done through the use of Lego Robotics kits used to design and build robots which, besides developing critical thinking, encourages fine motor skills development as well as hand eye co-ordination and auditory listening skills.
- These kits force learners to follow step-by-step instructions, to work in a methodical and organised way.
- The workshops are also designed in such a way that children work in teams to achieve an outcome.
All in a thrilling environment that feels nothing like a classroom – it’s fun and stimulating.
We recognise that that these skills can only be acquired over time and that many children are exposed to such experiences in their homes and schools but 85% of this province’s children never get that opportunity.
The October 2011 Holiday Workshop was the second one held. Workshops will be attended by learners from all areas. The intention is that 50% of the intake is sponsored and that 50% have paid for the workshops.
In the true spirit of the ORT philosophy, independence and dignity are the ultimate gift, therefore we undertake to make our project integrated in order for children from all parts of Cape Town to work and play together in a safe and relaxed holiday workshop environment.
While most ORT Tech projects are funded by local companies, they only provide for the minimum basic training and the recession has seen many of these companies drastically reduce their financial support so we need your help. With this in mind, we developed a workshop that is self funding and only required a small percentage of cash donations to make it viable. In kind donations by ORT’s partners Sakikhamva and the IZIKO museum have been invaluable.