A small handful of Africa’s daughters are launching the continent into the 21st century with the creation of a private satellite. It is expected to launch in 2016.

The bold, innovative and exciting venture is not the handy work of scientist, engineers or even adults, but a group of black teenage girls from South African high schools. The girls are from the Cape Town area, but attended Youth Day organized by Meta Economic Development Organisation (Medo) to begin the project.

MEDO’s CEO Judi Sandrock said the project evolved from a noticeable shortage of technical skills needed for building businesses, thus they decided to start a science, technology, engineering and math focused program.

Sandrock said, “The intention of this programme is not to be a once-off. It is to be the start of at least a decade-long drive to inspire young people to enter the science and technical fields.”

The National Advisory Council on Innovation was held in April 2015 and confirmed that in 2014 only 7.6% of pupils passed math with more than 60%, while 5.5% managed to to pass physical sciences.

Something needed to be done…and fast, thus the MEDO organization stepped up and in to fill the void.

[ADSENSE2] From Rising Africa:

At the launch, the girls were introduced to the programme through an interactive workshop.

Focused on creating their own jiggy bot – an electrical device which uses different mechanisms to light up a bulb, vibrate, and move – the goggle-wearing teenagers then assembled and soldered their creations with meticulous precision.

‘Space trek’ camps

This was part of the first stage of the project which introduces the women to electronics and the basics of practical science.

“Space trek” week-long camps will take place during the holiday following the end of the third term, where participants will design their satellite payload experiments and test them using high altitude weather balloons.

In December, extended school holiday internships to finalise payload designs will take place, and the satellite will be built for launch.

Absorbed in assembling her jiggy bot, Siddiqah Latief told News24 she never thought science could be so exciting.

‘I always thought it was for nerdy boys’

“It’s amazing to see how all these bits come together to create something so technical and amazing,” the Pelican Park High School pupil enthused.

“It has never been my favourite subject, but I am starting to love science. I always thought it was for nerdy boys. Now I am thinking of making this my career.”

Nina-Rose Clarke of Pinelands High School agreed.

“I never thought building things could be this interesting. I am loving this experience. It’s so exciting to be exposed to more than just drawing and studying ideas. Constructing stuff is so much better.”

SOUND OFF: What do you think of these amazing teens?

Source: RisingAfrica.org