Odwa Magabuko – Programme Coordinator: Schools – South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

Odwa Magabuko, Programme Coordinator for the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory’s (SARAO) Human Capital Development Schools Programme. Based in the Karoo region.

Responsibilities and Achievements

Oversees a variety of several transformative and impactful initiatives within the Schools Programme, to historically disadvantaged communities:

Robotics Schools Programme: Coordinating engaging robotics programme that encourages hands-on learning and critical thinking skills, training and fostering participation in prestigious competitions such as the FIRST LEGO League and the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) for the 9 schools(Carnarvon Primary, Carnarvon High, Brandvlei High, Brandvlei Primary, Williston High, Nico Bekker Primary, Vanwyksvlei Intermediate, JJ Booysen Primary, Delta Primary School.) that SARAO supports.
Learner Bursary Programme: Facilitates the bursary programme at Carnarvon High School, to ensure equitable access to quality education for learners from grade 8-12.
STEM Competitions and Educational Interventions: Facilitating the participation of learners in STEM-related competitions example, Mathematics Olympiads, Eskom Expo.

International Robotics Success:
- In 2019, students from Carnarvon High School participated in the FIRST LEGO League Plan Ceibal Open International, where the Galaxy Guardians team won the Core Values Inspiration Award(First Place).
- Coached a team from Carnarvon Primary School to secure third place in the Virtual Gear Robotics Competition, run by Texas Tech University, in 2017.
Judging Contributions:
- Selected as a judge in the Robo Mission category at the World Robot Olympiad International Final in Györ, Hungary, in 2019.
- Judged at the WRO Friendship Invitational Tournament in Denmark in 2023.
Provincial Organizer:
- Established the Northern Cape provincial competitions for both the World Robot Olympiad and FIRST LEGO League in 2019.
- Currently serves as the Provincial Organizer and Head Judge for the World Robot Olympiad Northern Cape Provincial.

Training and Development

Facilitates annual robotics training for educators and students. Assisted the Sol Plaatje University with the establishment of the robotics schools programme and facilitated training of the school learners and educators in the programme, whom the University supports.

Awards and Recognition

Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans (2018): Recognized under the Education category for contribution to STEM education.
Rheeders Award (2023): Awarded for dedication to advancing robotics in South Africa. Rheeders Award which is a prestigious accolade presented at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) South Africa to honor a coach, individual, team, or provincial organizer who exemplifies exceptional qualities in guiding and mentoring robotics teams or contributing to the growth of robotics in the country. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate remarkable compassion, creativity, innovation, perseverance, enthusiasm, adaptability, collaboration, and dedication to advancing the objectives of the WRO.