55 Learners from Underserved Schools to Showcase Engineering Innovations at YEM Hackathon Exhibition Day

Fifty-five high school learners and eleven teachers from underserved South African schools will present working engineering and technology prototypes at the Young Engineers Movement (YEM) Hackathon Exhibition Day on Friday, 26 June 2026.

Hosted by ORT South Africa in partnership with Hudaco, the five-day programme will run from 22 to 26 June 2026 and bring together learners and educators for an immersive week of coding, engineering, prototyping, and problem-solving.

The Young Engineers Movement (YEM) was created to address the growing gap between young South Africans and access to meaningful STEM and technology opportunities. The programme aims to expose learners from underserved communities to practical engineering and innovation experiences while equipping teachers with hands-on skills they can continue using in their classrooms.

Throughout the week, learners will work in teams to build functioning prototypes using sensors and microcontrollers to solve real-world problems connected to their communities. Teachers will participate as active facilitators, strengthening their own STEM capabilities and supporting long-term impact beyond the hackathon itself.

In a country facing both high youth unemployment and critical engineering skills shortages, the programme highlights the importance of investing in young talent early and creating pathways into the innovation economy.

Ariellah Rosenberg, CEO of ORT South Africa, said:

“The YEM Hackathon is about giving young people access to opportunities that allow them to see themselves as future innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers. These learners already have the creativity and potential. What they need is access, support, and exposure.”

Hudaco’s support of the initiative reflects the important role industry can play in strengthening South Africa’s future skills pipeline through investment in education and innovation-focused youth development.

The programme will conclude with teams presenting their final projects to judges, educators, industry representatives, and invited guests. Winning teams will receive technology prizes including laptops and tablets.

The YEM Hackathon continues ORT South Africa’s commitment to creating meaningful STEM education opportunities and empowering young people to actively participate in shaping the future.

For more information about ORT South Africa, please visit the website.

More about ORT South Africa:
ORT SA is a multi-faceted, award-winning non-profit organisation affiliated with World ORT. World ORT operates in over 30 countries worldwide and was established in 1880. ORT SA’s mission is to make people Employable and to create Employment Opportunities through:

  • Quality education in mathematics, science, ICT, and technology
  • Skills development and employment readiness
  • Enterprise development for financial sustainability to emerging micro-enterprises and SMEs

ORT SA makes an impact on 13 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

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