Our Journey!
Scadco AI Innovation Team
2025
January - February
Planning and Execution
During the months of January 2025 to the end of February 2025 the Scadco AI Skills team were hard at work to create all that you see here on this website and timeline. From the Minecraft Education worlds, to designing and recoding and even reaching out to Educators and friends we planned and built a firm and sustainable foundation for the Scadco AI Skills team thrive and develop through the course of the year. At the end of February 2025, we launched the AI Skills Hackathon.
March
AI Hackathon Information Session for UNISA
17 March
We met with UNISA Students to discuss the Hackathon that we will be hosting. We displayed a PowerPoint presentation on how the Hackathon will work as well as showing the attendees our website and how to register for the hackathon. Students were very excited, and we received significant interest in this event.
Teens in AI
18 - 20 March
At this event, we had the opportunity to speak to 35 high school girls about AI literacy. Learners had the opportunity to play through our first Minecraft world – AI Literacy. We received positive feedback from the learners and teachers. Most of these girls had not had any experience with AI tools before, they were eager to learn and created a fun experience for all while experiencing the new and exciting world of AI. On the last day of the event, the girls presented a hackathon style presentation to a panel of Judges on real world South African issues that could be improved using AI tools. Overall, it was a success.
UNISA - Advancing African Digital Humanities Ideation Hub
24 – 26 March
We had the opportunity to have an information stand at UNISA - Advancing African Digital Humanities Ideation Hub as well as present at the event. The event was highly informative. The participants were all engaged with some inciteful discussions and panels were all attended with enthusiasm. Vivian Ladner had a speaking spot at this event where she walked attendees through this website and the HackaThon that was running at the time.
FEDSAS – Independent Schools Mini Summit
26 March
FEDSAS held an Independent Schools Mini Summit where they addressed many controversial topics, including AI – which was presented by Riaan Van Der Berg. We were privileged to have a stand at this event where we interacted with many individuals who are involved with the education sector, including the professional development manager from SACE. This event gave us the opportunity to learn more about how South African educators in the k 12 space view AI and how to approach them going forward.
April
Rand Show Expo 2025
17 – 21 April
Scadco hosted the Minecraft AI Literacy Escape Room Challenges over the 5 days at the Rand Show Expo, where participants learnt about AI in a fun game-based learning experience. Our Stall was always busy, sharing the space with RGB Gaming, Eduvos and Crawford International, we were always engaging with children and parents about AI and the future.
We hosted not only the Minecraft Education AI Literacy Escape room worlds, but Minecaft Build Challenges and a shortened Version of the AI Fluency. You can find the full version of the AI Fluency under our: Microsoft AI Fluency Course tab above.
The final of the AI Skills Hackathon was held on Saturday the 19th of April to a panel of Judges. The Final Hacks were insightful and creative. The winners were selected on the RGB Gaming Esports stage with many families and attendees. This was streamed to UNISA’s YouTube channel with over 900 online viewers and there was quite a crowd in person.
A Huge thanks to all who attended. From the family’s there on the day to our amazing Hackathon Judges, you all allowed us the opportunity to educate and upskill while having an amazing event. Thank you to the Rand Show for awarding the RGB Stand the best stall of the event.
May
Investec - Developing Tech for the Future
14 May
Scadco was invited back to Investec in Sandton - Developing Tech for the Future event with 100 grade 11 and 12 students from various schools, some traveling from KZN. We presented Minecaft Education AI Literacy and hosted time trials in the Minecraft Education AI Literacy Escape Room world. During this event we got to not only talk to students and educators but Investec Staff who all learnt new and exciting things about Microsoft’s AI tools and Integration into their daily lives.
Future Minds HackaThon
May
At the beginning of May we launched our second Hackathon with the topics of:
Grade Guard: Protect academic integrity and boost learning. Develop AI solutions to monitor assessments, detect plagiarism, track student performance, or assist educators in identifying students who need help.
Mental Health: Harness AI to support emotional well-being. Create tools that offer stress relief, detect early signs of mental health issues, or provide accessible resources and support for those in need.
Transportation: Reimagine the way we move. Use AI to improve traffic flow, optimize public transport, enhance road safety, or create smart navigation tools that make commuting faster and greener.
Literacy in the Digital Age: Digital literacy in South Africa is limited by poor access to internet and devices, especially in rural areas, widening inequality and limiting education and job opportunities.
We really wanted to challenge participants this time around.
UNISA – Teacher Event
May
UNISA hosted a teacher online event, and we were asked to present on Foundational AI Skills for South African Educators, showcasing our site https://aiskillsnavigator.online & AI Fluency and Digital Skills Compass. This allowed us to reenforce to UNISA our Minecaft worlds, AI Fluency, the Microsoft AI Skills Navigator and Our Future Minds Hackathon.
June
Deutche Schule Johannesburg’s Science week
10 - 11 June
We participated in the Deutche Schule Johannesburg’s Science week hosting class on Minecraft AI Literacy, Cybersecurity and Computer Science Escape Rooms with 318 Grade 6-9 students.
The Classes were hosed by Ryan Gallus and Paige Osmond. The classes were very informative and engaging for students and the facilitators. It was a remarkable and experience to see some students who have not played Minecraft before engaging with Game Based Learning.
Microsoft AI Skilling Day
24 June
We were proud to be part of the Inaugural Microsoft AI Mass Skilling Day, a vibrant celebration of innovation, learning, and future-ready skills! Attendees immersed themselves in: AI Fluency Quiz to build foundational knowledge and our Minecraft Education AI Literacy Escape Room and Minecraft Education Cyber Security worlds. The Zola AI VR experience was a powerful, interactive journey into Rhino conservation in South Africa, custom-built by the talented RGB Gaming team and was a crowd favourite!
This event was a phenomenal experience all round and we can’t wait for what is in store in the future.
Gauteng West District – Teacher Professional Development & AI skills training
18 June
107 Teachers gathered at Randfontein Primary School for a workshop on Microsoft Reaching Coach and an introductory workshop on AI Literacy.
CCIGA National Filmmakers Event Gauteng
29th June
On the 29th of June, Paige Osmond and Pacific Mudzusi went to the CCIGA National Filmmakers Event Gauteng. At this event they engaged future film makers on AI and discussed eth creative process. They also completed the AI Skills Navigator skills path.
July
The Knowledge Base Minecraft AI Holiday camp
14th - 16th June
The Scadco AI Skills Team hosted an exciting Holiday Club at the Knowledge Base in Bryanston from Monday, 14 July to Wednesday, 16 July 2025 and what an adventure it was!
Learners from Grade 3 to Grade 8 explored the world of Artificial Intelligence through our custom-built Minecraft Education AI Escape Room Worlds. Each day was packed with fun, learning, and friendly competition!
Learners competed in Kahoot! quizzes to win awesome Minecraft T-shirts and Plushies and showcased their creativity in a Build Challenge inspired by South African values.
GDE ICT Expo for Teachers
28th & 30th June
We’re incredibly grateful to the Gauteng Department of Education for hosting the Scadco AI Skills Team at the Tshwane West & North ICT Expo on Monday, 28 July, and the Tshwane South District ICT Expo on Wednesday, 30 June.
It was an inspiring opportunity to showcase the future of learning through technology, including: The Scadco AI Skills Navigator: https://www.aiskillsnavigator.online/, Microsoft Learning Accelerator and range of powerful Microsoft AI tools designed to empower educators and students alike.
A special highlight was Vivian Ladner’s engaging talk on Wednesday, where she shared insights on how AI is transforming education and unlocking new possibilities for learners across Gauteng.
Thank you to all the educators, learners, and leaders who joined us, your enthusiasm and commitment to digital innovation is what drives us forward!
Unisa Catalytic Niche Area on Student Support and Co-Curricular Activities
30th - 31st July
On 30–31 July 2025, the University of South Africa (UNISA) hosted a pivotal two-day symposium focused on its 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)—strategic priorities identified by the Vice-Chancellor to drive innovation and transformation across the institution. Among these, the CNA on Student Support and Co-Curricular Activities took centre stage on Thursday, 31 July, with a dynamic panel discussion held at Senate Hall, UNISA Main Campus, Pretoria.
The session, titled "Developing Student Digital Resilience in African Higher Education: A Translational Research Agenda in the Context of Open Distance eLearning (ODeL)", brought together thought leaders and practitioners to explore how institutions can better equip students for the digital age.
A key contributor to this conversation was the Scadco AI Skills Team, whose work in digital education and gaming innovation has been instrumental in shaping student engagement strategies. Their collaboration with ADOF (African Digital Opportunity Foundation) in South Africa continues to advance digital literacy and resilience among youth, particularly in underserved communities.
Microsoft, a strategic partner of UNISA, also played a vital role in supporting this initiative. Their ongoing engagement with the university and broader educational ecosystem underscores the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building sustainable digital futures.
The 90-minute panel session encouraged active participation from attendees, fostering a rich dialogue around the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in higher education. While the university was unable to offer remuneration, panellists were acknowledged with a corporate gift as a token of appreciation.
This symposium marks a significant step in aligning research, technology, and student support to create inclusive and future-ready learning environments across Africa.
August
Unisa Code the Climate Hackathon
4th August - 12th September
At the beginning of August, we Assisted UNISA in hosting the Code the Climate Hackathon. This Hack was hosted by UNISA, and the top 3 participants get to present their hack at the Global Voices Climate Change Summit on Monday September 25th, 2025.
MTN Innovation Online Cyber Safety
6th August
On Wednesday, 6 August 2025, the Scadco AI Innovation Team had the incredible opportunity to visit the MTN Head Office, where they showcased their cutting-edge AI Skills EscapeCraft World — a gamified learning experience designed to teach Cyber Security in a fun, interactive, and memorable way.
The event was more than just a demo—it was a meaningful exchange of ideas and insights. MTN staff engaged enthusiastically with the EscapeCraft experience, exploring how AI and gaming can be used to promote online safety and digital resilience. The team also facilitated important conversations around gaming safety, equipping attendees and their families with practical tools to navigate the digital world securely.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Beyanca Struwig, Microsoft SA, and the entire MTN Team for their warm welcome and enthusiastic participation. And of course, we Scadco AI Innovation Team are dedicated to making digital learning both impactful and engaging.
September
Scadco at Phumlani Secondary School: A Day of AI, Education & Empowerment
4th September
On September 16, 2025, at Phumlani Secondary School, Katlehong the Scadco AI Innovation Team arrived ready to inspire and engage Grade 8, 9, and 10 learners with a day of immersive, game-based learning. The energy was electric as students gathered in anticipation of the activities ahead.
We were honoured to welcome Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe from the Motsepe Foundation, whose presence underscored the importance of empowering youth—especially girls—in STEM. Also joining us was Lebogang Madise from Microsoft, who shared valuable insights on AI and its role in shaping the future.
Learners dove into Scadco’s AI Skills EscapeCraft World, a custom-built Minecraft Education experience designed to teach AI concepts in a fun and interactive way. Students from across South Africa joined virtually via Microsoft Teams, making this a truly connected learning experience.
Paige Osmond presented to both in-person and online learners, bridging the gap between physical and digital classrooms.
Ryan Gallus led a hands-on session, guiding Phumlani learners through the Minecraft world and helping them explore AI concepts in real time.
A huge shoutout to Vivian Ladner and Nebo Legoabe, who worked tirelessly to coordinate logistics and ensure the day ran smoothly. Their dedication helped make this event a resounding success.
A Heartfelt Thank You to, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, The Motsepe Foundation, Lebogang Madise from Microsoft, Phumlani Secondary School And everyone who helped make this day possible.
Your support allowed us to bring STEM learning through game-based education to young minds, and we look forward to future collaborations that continue to uplift and inspire.
At Scadco, we believe in the power of education, innovation, and play to shape the future. Days like this remind us why we do what we do—and why partnerships like this matter.
MTN AI Showcase
9th - 11th September
From September 9 – 11, 2025, at the MTN Headquarters the Scadco AI Innovation Team had the privilege of participating in MTN AI Day a forward-thinking event dedicated to exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence in the modern workplace.
Throughout the three-day event, MTN staff were invited to engage with a variety of AI-driven experiences designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding. Scadco proudly showcased our custom-built AI Skills EscapeCraft World, developed in Minecraft Education, which offered a hands-on, gamified approach to learning about AI.
Parents and staff alike had the chance to explore the world, discovering how AI concepts can be taught through play. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants expressing how accessible and enjoyable the experience was.
To add a layer of excitement, we introduced the SCADCO: Microsoft AI Fluency Challenge, tasking MTN staff members with scoring a perfect 43 out of 43 on the course. The challenge was met with enthusiasm, and many rose to the occasion, earning themselves a Minecraft plushie as a reward for their efforts and dedication to learning.
We extend our sincere thanks to MTN for welcoming Scadco and supporting innovative, game-based learning. Events like these are a testament to the power of collaboration in driving digital literacy and AI fluency across industries.
We look forward to future opportunities to work together and continue inspiring learners of all ages through AI education and interactive technology.
At Scadco, we believe that learning should be engaging, inclusive, and fun. MTN AI Day was a perfect example of how corporate spaces can embrace educational innovation to empower their teams and communities.
MTN AI and MTV Base: The Room of Safety
16th September
On September 16, 2025, at MTN Headquarters the Scadco AI Innovation Team was thrilled to be part of The Room of Safety Day, hosted by MTN in partnership with MTV Base. The event brought together staff, parents, and tech enthusiasts to explore the intersection of AI in the workplace and online safety.
Scadco introduced attendees to our AI Skills EscapeCraft World, a custom-built Minecraft Education experience designed to teach AI concepts through interactive gameplay. Staff and parents alike had the chance to explore the world and learn how AI is shaping the future of work and education.
We also showcase our Cyber Security Escape Room World, a gamified experience that teaches digital safety and cybersecurity best practices. MTN guests navigated challenges that mirrored real-world online threats, learning how to protect themselves in today’s digital landscape, all through play.
Parents attending the event also got hands-on with Minecraft Education, discovering how game-based learning can be a powerful tool for understanding complex topics like AI and cybersecurity. The excitement and engagement were palpable!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to MTN and MTV Base for inviting Scadco to be part of this important initiative. Your commitment to digital literacy, online safety, and innovative learning is truly inspiring.
At Scadco, we believe that education should be immersive, inclusive, and empowering. The Room of Safety Day was a perfect example of how organizations can use technology to foster awareness and build safer digital communities.