HIP2B² is a youth organisation founded to promote the study of maths, science and technology-related subjects. Through its Innovation Challenge, the company has asked South Africa’s Grade 9 and 10 pupils to come up with solutions to the problems they encounter. Schools in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are given free workshops where they get the opportunity to learn about previous successes in the competition and have an opportunity to develop their own ideas under expert advice.
Speaking on behalf of 3M, Khanyisile Madlala, said pupils’ inventions improved on a yearly basis. “[We] can’t wait to see what they come up with next,” she said.
HIP2B² educational consultant, Lizelle de Bruin, who conducted the Gauteng workshops said they hoped to spark ideas among pupils. “They don’t have to immediately come up with an idea at the workshops, but we are trying to instil the idea that they have the capacity to solve problems themselves.
“Normally, it starts out slow, but as they see the different applications in which science can be used, you see their eyes light up with ideas.”
The competition is hoping to bring forth a number of wonderful innovations such as that of Ludwick Marishane’s, DryBath.
Marishane created the innovation using his cellphone to do research and calculations. The DryBath is a gel designed to remove body odour and freshen up the skin without water.
“This came from the fact that he just simply did not want to bath,” said De Bruin.
“It just goes to show that the idea does not need to be elaborate or expensive,” she said.
Details: www.hip2b2.com
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