The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) UKZN Student Chapter, in collaboration with the IQRAA Trust, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among disadvantaged high school students.
The newly launched STEM Outreach Programme, facilitated through the UKZN Foundation, seeks to bridge educational gaps by providing learners with hands-on experiences in programming and engineering – essential skills for thriving in the modern digital economy.
Piloted at Hunt Road Secondary School, the programme introduces Grade 10 and 11 students to the world of coding and electronic circuits using Arduino Starter Kits. Over the course of two immersive sessions, UKZN honours and postgraduate students guided learners through the fundamentals of programming, demystifying complex concepts and making them accessible through interactive projects.
Each session begins with an introduction to the importance of STEM in today’s technology-driven world. From there, students delve into the basics of microcontroller programming, learning how to write code that controls LED lights and sensors. As their confidence grows, they progress to more intricate projects, experimenting with microcontrollers to develop simple yet functional electronic systems.
Beyond theoretical instruction, the workshops emphasise practical application. Students are encouraged to build, test and refine their own electronic creations, culminating in an engaging project showcase where they demonstrate their newfound skills. The enthusiasm at their latest showcase was palpable as learners, many of whom had never coded before, proudly presented their self-programmed devices.
To further incentivise and support continued exploration, two of the most engaged students were awarded Arduino Starter Kits, enabling them to continue their learning beyond the classroom.
UKZN Electrical Engineering lecturer Dr Mohamed Fayaz Khan said, “One of the key challenges faced by disadvantaged schools is the lack of access to STEM resources, including digital tools and trained educators. Many schools, like Hunt Road Secondary, do not offer computer programming as part of the curriculum, making it difficult for students to develop these crucial technical skills that would serve them well in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
This programme tackles these barriers head-on by providing Arduino Starter Kits and learning materials to the students. The trained UKZN facilitators then deliver structured, yet adaptable lessons from a carefully designed curriculum to break down complex concepts, making STEM subjects approachable and exciting.
Beyond the immediate impact of the workshops, the SAIEE UKZN Student Chapter is working with Hunt Road Secondary to help establish a coding and robotics club – an initiative sparked by students’ keen interest during a prior school visit.
Introducing a formal programming subject requires significant logistical planning, hence the club offers a practical alternative, providing students with a space to explore robotics and coding in a collaborative setting.
The decision to pilot the programme at Hunt Road Secondary was strategic. The school’s proximity to the UKZN Howard College campus allows the SAIEE UKZN Student Chapter to monitor student progress, adapt content in real-time, and fine-tune the approach before expanding to additional schools.
Given the overwhelmingly positive reception, SAIEE UKZN is now planning to scale up the initiative. Expansion efforts will involve forming partnerships with additional sponsors, collaborating with educational bodies and securing industry support to ensure sustainability. SAIEE UKZN has also signed an MoU with the IQRAA Trust to roll the programme out to a further 10 schools in 2025.
A structured training model for facilitators will also be developed, allowing new student mentors to join the programme each year, ensuring continuity and consistent delivery.
“The STEM Outreach Programme is more than just a series of workshops; it is a catalyst for change. This initiative is opening doors for students who might otherwise never have access to programming education by fostering curiosity and empowering young minds with technical skills,” added Khan.
For more details on how you can support or get involved with SAIEE UKZN’s initiatives, please contact saieeukznstudentchapter@gmail.com.
*The IQRAA Trust assists organisations that are engaged in humanitarian activities in the fields of education, healthcare, social-welfare, skills development and training, providing solutions to climate change and disaster relief.
