On Saturday, 5 September 2026, the German International School Pretoria (DSP) hosted the launch of Bricks to Bots, a new outreach initiative designed to equip teachers with practical approaches to integrate robotics, computational thinking and play-based learning into their classrooms.
The workshop brought together teachers from the Foundation Phase, Grade 1 and Grade 2 from 14 partner schools in Mamelodi, Nellmapius and Eersterust. The event formed part of the DSP’s longstanding Outreach Programme and continued a partnership with neighbouring schools that dates back to 1988. The initiative was generously supported and sponsored by the German Embassy Pretoria.
The workshop was facilitated by Warren Markley, Robotics Specialist at the German International School Pretoria, together with facilitators from Care for Education. Through practical activities, participants explored how playful robotics activities can introduce young learners to creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and early computational thinking.
“We are very proud to host Bricks to Bots and to continue a partnership that has been part of our school’s history for almost four decades,” said Manuel Haß, Principal of the German International School Pretoria. “Our collaboration with schools in Mamelodi, Nellmapius and Eersterust is based on the belief that education becomes stronger when we share knowledge, resources and opportunities. This initiative is a wonderful example of how we can work together to give teachers and young learners access to new skills and experiences.”
For Warren Markley, the workshop highlighted that robotics does not have to begin with complicated technology, but can be introduced through simple, playful challenges.
“Robotics does not have to start with complicated technology. It can start with a few bricks, a challenge and the opportunity to figure something out,” said Markley. “When children build, test, make mistakes and try again, they are already developing many of the skills that underpin computational thinking. Our aim is to give teachers practical activities they can take straight into their classrooms and adapt to their learners.”
A key focus of the initiative was also empowering teachers and creating sustainable impact beyond the workshop itself.
Chrissie Struckmann, Head of the New Secondary School at the DSP, said:
“The most important part of this project is that the learning does not stop when the workshop ends. By investing in teachers and providing each participating school with Six Bricks classroom sets and activity mats, we are creating opportunities for these ideas to become part of everyday classroom learning. It is about building capacity, sharing expertise and creating sustainable impact in our partner schools.”
As part of the initiative, each participating school received Six Bricks classroom sets and activity mats, allowing teachers to continue using and developing the robotics activities and approaches in their own classrooms.
Mrs Kirsch from the German Embassy Pretoria also attended the workshop, representing the German Embassy, which generously supported and sponsored the project.
Building Future Thinkers Together
Bricks to Bots forms part of the DSP’s broader commitment to educational collaboration, teacher development and community engagement. At the same time, the initiative builds on longstanding relationships with partner schools in Mamelodi, Nellmapius and Eersterust that have been developed and strengthened since 1988.
By sharing expertise, resources and practical teaching ideas, the initiative aims to create an impact that extends well beyond a single workshop. Teachers gain new tools for their classrooms, while young learners have the opportunity to discover, from an early age, the joy of building, experimenting, solving problems and developing ideas together.
Participating Schools
The following 14 partner schools took part in Bricks to Bots:
Bajabulile Primary School
Balebogeng Primary School
Boikgantsho Primary School
F.F. Ribeiro Primary School
Fred Magardie Primary School
Koos Matli Primary School
Mogale Primary School
Nantes Primary School
Nellmapius Extension 1 Primary School
Norridge Park Primary School
N’wa-Vangani Primary School
Pula Difate Primary School
Uoane Primary School
Zamintuthuko Primary School
Bricks to Bots: Building Future Thinkers Together
5 September 2026 | German International School Pretoria
The DSP is proud to continue strengthening its longstanding partnerships with neighbouring schools and to create new learning opportunities together – for teachers and the young learners they support.