Solomon King
Ashoka Fellow since 2014   |   Uganda

Solomon King

FundiBots
Solomon is unlocking the potential of young high school students in Uganda using the practical science of Robotics. Solomon hopes to transform the education system in the country to focus more on…
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This description of Solomon King's work was prepared when Solomon King was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2014.

Introduction

Solomon is unlocking the potential of young high school students in Uganda using the practical science of Robotics. Solomon hopes to transform the education system in the country to focus more on practical knowledge, which is severely lacking in the present formal education system.

The New Idea

Solomon is the first person in Uganda, and East Africa in general, to bring Robotics science into high schools. Through a network of volunteers and support partners, Solomon teaches students how to build and manipulate a robot in 3 hours!

The Problem

Formal education in Uganda and Africa in general, fails to teach students the practical application of scientific knowledge in solving day to day challenges. As a technology enthusiast from childhood, Solomon grew up with this challenge and was deeply motivated to find a solution for it. He has found that the in order to transform the centralized education system in Uganda, there is a need to create a student-centered movement to incorporate the learning of practical sciences as opposed to current efforts that are more top down and often lacking the incentive for students to recognize its true value.

The Strategy

To solve this challenge, Solomon lauched Fundi Bots are a non-profit making organization that uses Robotics to teach students how to apply practical science in solving common problems. Solomon achieves this by visiting Ugandan high schools where he teaches students how to build and manipulate a robot in just 3 hours! This strategy has a huge potential to scale and reach many students who then go on to inspire others with their new knowledge. Secondly, Fundi Bots aims to develop Robotics-labs throughout the country where students can interact with the technology at their own time. Solomon set up his own house as the first laboratory lab where students from nearby schools often come in to play with and hone thier skills in robotics. Eventually, Solomon aims to create a Robotics curriculum that will be integrated into the Ugandan Education curriculum.

The Person

Solomon is a serial entrepreneur, having already started two technolgoy companies at a young age. These are Node-Six and Elemental Edge.

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