Young scientists astound at expo
Durban Eskom Expo for Young Scientists saw returning participants up their game in a bid to take home a gold medal.
YOUNG scientists showed what they are capable of at the recent Central KZN regional Eskom Expo for Young Scientists held at the Durban University of Technology.
A whopping 600 projects were presented at the expo this year covering a diverse range of topics.
For Grade 11 learner Msomi Zizile (16) from Zwelibanzi High School in Umlazi, it was the third time she has attended the Eskom Expo. For her project, which won gold, Msomi created new formulas to work out squares and square roots without the use of a calculator, and she also created a new equation to help fellow learners understand maths problems.
Nobuhle Sibiya (15), a Grade 9 learner from Mpophomeni High School, created a project that manipulated gravitational force to generate electricity. She also won gold for her project.
From producing electricity using speed bumps to a completely green house that saves money, electricity and water, learners did not fall short of inspiration. And parents were impressed with how far that inspiration took their children. The Best Female award went to Rachel Panzenbock from Kloof High School. The Grade 9 learner won for her project called High carb low fat vs low carb high fat.
The Eskom Expo Best Developmental project went to Samkelo Nyawose, a Grade 12 learner from Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School. He created a hydro-powered escalator that uses water from shopping centres’ decorative fountains to power the electric staircase.
The Eskom Expo Best Energy Efficiency award went to Grade 10 Star College learner Keshava Rampersad for Wax on, wax off, an energy efficient home that saves money, water and electricity. Also a Star College learner, Grade 11 learner Uluthando Jili won the Eskom Expo’s Best Energy award for her project which extracted ethanol from orange peels to power vehicles.
The overall primary school winner was Dhiya Dharampal, a Grade 9 learner from St Benedict’s School with her project Does temperature affect the surface tension of water?. The overall high school winner was Daylen Chetty from Star College, whose project was entitled Alternate power source; off the grid.
The aspirant young scientists don’t just compete for the chance to win prizes but also for a coveted ticket to participate and represent their regions at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF) held annually in Johannesburg between 3 to 6 October.
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