A team of five students from Whitesands School in Lagos, Nigeria, has made their country proud by coming second in the Makers League category at the 2024 Pan African Robotics Competition (PARC). The event, held in Senegal, brought together talented young people from across Africa.
The Whitesands team, made up of Adrian Okwu, Oluwafiayokunola Banjo, Chinonso Chimereucheya, Reginald Emukpoeruo, and Ugochukwuyerem Odera Onyebuagu, impressed judges with their innovative project, BALL-REF. This system uses RFID technology to improve goal detection accuracy in football.
The team began preparing for the competition in May, working on projects within their school’s Robotics Club. They also visited a Nigerian company using large-scale robots to gain real-world insights.
Their success highlights the importance of STEM education and encouraging young innovators. As a reward for their participation, Whitesands School received a VEX V5 kit to help them prepare for future competitions.
The Pan African Robotics Competition aims to promote science and technology skills among African youth. Founder Sidy Ndao emphasized the event’s role in showcasing African youth potential in science and technology.
Whitesands School focuses on developing well-rounded students by emphasizing intellectual growth, moral uprightness, physical development, and social responsibility. Their vision is to produce competent, ethical, and socially responsible individuals.
The team’s success serves as an inspiration for other African schools and students interested in robotics and technology. They are now preparing for next year’s PARC and other competitions.
The 2024 PARC celebrated unity, innovation, and the potential of Africa’s youth. Whitesands School’s impressive performance demonstrates what young African minds can achieve when given the right tools and support. Events like PARC play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of tech innovators and leaders.
