Further entrenching its commitment to bridging the skills gap in the field of electrical engineering, Siemens has taken its Cyber Junkyard Challenge to schools in the Eastern Cape. This Junior Cyber Junkyard Challenge has been undertaken in partnership with Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). Says Martin Taverner, BU manager motion control at Siemens: “In 2011, our aim is to establish a relationship between Siemens, NMMU and high schools and colleges in the area, hence the introduction of the challenge at a school level. Our hope is that these relationships will help to encourage learners at this level to consider electrical engineering as a career path after school.”
The winning entry from Daniel Pienaar High
In the Junior Cyber Junkyard Challenge, learners had to design, build and programme a fully functional water tank system. They needed to implement the principles of flow rate and volume calculation in addition to basic logic and the principles of level control. “By taking part in this project learners gain hands-on experience that will assist them when applying to universities, they learn about electrical design, mechanical manufacture, level control within a tank process, industrial automation programming and closed loop control systems – all at a junior level,” Taverner explains. “Nine schools entered the challenge and through our partnership with NMMU, each team was allocated R10 000 to design and manufacture its system.”
Final judging took place in October with the winning teams receiving a host of electrical equipment, as well as bursaries donated by NMMU. The Eastern Cape served as a pilot, Taverner’s ultimate objective is that the Junior Cyber Junkyard Challenge will be held annually and open to schools nationwide.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Comtest calibration user group seminar Comtest
News
Comtest invites metrology and calibration professionals to a focused technical seminar series aimed at demystifying some of the most common hurdles in inter-laboratory comparisons.
Read more...Functional safety explained
News
The SAIMC supports Pepperl+Fuchs, a National Member, in a free four-part online seminar series focused on Functional Safety.
Read more...The Future of manufacturing in Africa
News
The future and development of African manufacturing will be discussed extensively at the upcoming Manufacturing Indaba conference, to be hosted on 15 to 16 July 2025 at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre.
Read more...Hot topics at IFAT Africa and analytica Lab Africa 2025
News
Burning issues such as climate-smart infrastructure, sustainability in waste and water management, the circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility will come under discussion at the three-day conference and forum presented by analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg from 8 to 10 July 2025.
Read more...From the editor's desk: Riding the hype cycle Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
The other day I came across an entertaining article on the ten biggest tech failures of the last decade. Google Glass, 3D TV and Elon Musk’s hyperloop have faded into obscurity. Others, like the metaverse, ...
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version