Bubendorff, UNIZIK High school, others shine at IEEE coding, robotics competition

Twelve secondary schools in Anambra State at the weekend participated in the 2024 Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineering (IEEE) Nnamdi Azikiwe University Coding and Robotics competition.

The competition which witnessed display of exceptional skills, ingenuity and creativity by the schools, saw Bubendorff Memorial Grammer School, Adazi-Nnukwu, Anaocha Local Goverment Area emerging top, while UNIZIK High School beat Lorreto Special Science School, Adazi-Nnukwu to secure second position.

Speaking during the event, Chairman, Post Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC), Prof Nkechi Ikediugwu commended the IEEE for organising the competition, calling for continued provision of resources and opportunities for the students.

“To our students, I encourage your participation. Your project demonstrate exceptional skills and creativity. Remember, failure is not the opposite of success, rather a stepping stone to innovation,” she added.

Also speaking, Engr Angela Omogbeme of University of Georgia, USA expressed satisfaction with the students’ interests in the competition, urging them to take advantage of the exercise to enhance their proficiencies in coding and robotics.

Earlier, the hosts, Chioma Edith and Engr Dozie Ekwunife said the competition was targeted at promoting STEM education in secondary schools as well as assessing knowledge acquired by the students following the work done by their teachers.

“The competition is a follow-up to “Train the Trainers” STEM program sponsored by IEEE STEM. The first part of the program was held in June where about 60 teachers were trained on coding and robotics and mandated to go and train their students.

“It is noteworthy that between June and November, the IEEE STEM team has donated robotic kits to several schools in the State, including UNIZIK High school, Berbendoff Memorial Grammar school, Community High school, Akwaeze, Community Secondary school Achalla, St Patrick College Awka, Christ Ambassadors College, Mbaukwu and St Mary’s Secondary school Awka,” they said.

Responding on behalf of Bubendorff Memorial Grammer School, Igwike Jerome, an SS3 student described the victory as reward for hardwork, just as he thanked the organisers for providing the platform for them to showcase their skills and creativity.

“We designed school’s website, including E-wallet and E-Library. It has been weeks of sleepless night trying to package the project because programming is very complex which demands hardwork and sacrifice,” he explained.

*Team lead of UNIZIK High school, Praise Elekwachi, an SS3 student said he created robotic car known as UHS bot programmed to be controlled by either bluetooth module (HC-05) for wireless control between phone and the robot or through voice command.*

“I chose robotic car for the competition because I’m more conversant with hardware. Constructing the car was not only time and energy consuming, resources were committed to ensure deadline was met. It took me 4 days to put everything in place.

“My partner, Igbokwe Gospel, an SS2 student who is more familiar with software recreated the popular MS word using scratch which he called Mblock word,” he said.*