Seventy pupils from 15 schools gathered at Johannesburg Zoo to compete in the annual Rangers Coding Competition on 28 August 2024. Organised by the city’s libraries, this flagship event has grown steadily since its inception in 2018, highlighting the importance of coding skills for young people in today’s rapidly evolving world.
The Rangers Coding game, designed by the Nelson Mandela University Computer Science Department, is a popular coding activity for primary school pupils. This puzzle-based game teaches basic coding skills, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving through play. Pupils compete in groups of five using a mobile device and a set of puzzles, with no internet connection required.
This year’s competition, themed around rhino poaching, held at Johannesburg Zoo, enhanced the partnership between the city’s libraries and the zoo. The event provided pupils with valuable insights into nature conservation and the protection of rhinos and other wildlife.
Before the main competition, pupils toured the zoo, observed rhinos and rangers, and participated in a related question and answer session. For many of the pupils, it was their first time seeing wild animals up close. The atmosphere was electric as the competition began. Mikateka Primary, Ridgevale Primary, Bright Stars Academy, Bordeaux Primary, Lekang Primary, and Royal King reached the final round.
A teacher from Lekang Primary said that she was very happy with the coding competition and could see the benefits of the competition in the way pupils approached schoolwork. “I wish we had these types of opportunities when I was at school. It is really helping to improve the pupils’ concentration and thinking ability.”
The coding competition was fast paced and exciting, with each round lasting no longer than 15 minutes. In a thrilling finale, Mikateka Primary School from Ivory Park emerged victorious, with Ridgevale Primary in second place and Lekang Primary was third. As a no-fee school in an area with high unemployment, Mikateka’s win highlights the potential of coding to create digital opportunities for young people.
Creating digital opportunities for the youth forms part of the City of Joburg libraries strategy. Some of the digital programmes the city’s libriaries run are basic computer classes, online Microsoft courses and reading with technology.
Written by Ayanda Radebe
29/08/2024
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