Hannelie Nel

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Hannelie Nel is a pioneering researcher in educational robotics and STEM education in developing contexts, with a particular focus on Africa. Her work addresses the critical challenge of stimulating interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among learners in resource-constrained environments. Nel’s most notable contributions include the design and implementation of “AfrikaBot,” a robotics challenge specifically tailored to promote STEM engagement across Africa, and the successful integration of a robotics programme into a South African secondary school curriculum through the RobotScience project. Her case study research demonstrates how schools lacking specialised skills or funding can develop exciting, low-cost STEM programmes that inspire learners. With her most-cited papers accumulating over a dozen citations, Nel’s work has laid important groundwork for scalable, culturally relevant robotics education in developing countries. Her achievements highlight the transformative potential of hands-on, project-based learning in regions where traditional STEM resources are scarce, making her a key voice in the movement to democratise technology education across the Global South.