Alex kids learn coding at Nokia head office
ALEXANDRA – The cream of the crop of computer studies students from two Alex high schools are taken to the Nokia head office in Centurion to learn about coding.
More than 40 Grade 10 and 11 pupils from East Bank and Realogile high schools were bussed all the way to the Nokia head office in Centurion for hands-on lessons in coding.
Organisers of the educational expedition, the Alexandra Innovation Hub, took 26 pupils from East Bank High School and 20 from Realogile, making a total of 46.
According to the founding chairperson of the hub, Shaun Lanto, they picked the two schools and asked the teachers to give them their best computer studies students, so ‘we could enhance their knowledge, skills and interest in computer literacy’.
Sponsored by the Innovation Hub in Pretoria, a government entity, and Nokia, CodeBus and MLab, the pupils spent all day on 10 May being tutored by experts in the field at the Nokia head office.
“They were taught how to create music using coding, and this was the most fun way of teaching young people how to code,” said Lanto after the trip.
On how the two schools were chosen, Lanto said being a new entity themselves, they currently work closely with the two schools on the coding project and hope to spread their wings to the other three high schools in the township. The other reason for the selection of the two schools was due to financial constraints and transportation logistics but they look forward to strengthening their ties with all of the five high schools.
Besides being bogged down to the business of coding and computer lessons, Lanto said the children were treated to a sumptuous meal at Nokia and offered some scarves and beanies as winter is fast approaching.
He added that the Alex Hub prides itself in partnering with other strategic partners in creating meaningful exposure opportunities for the youth of the township.
Details: Shaun Lanto 076 858 2019; shaun.lanto@alexhub.co.za; www.alexhub.co.za
Add us on Whatsapp for the latest news by adding 079 4395 345 to your contact list and just send your name to us so we can save your number. Click here to find out more about our Whatsapp policy.
