Young scientists impress judges with impressive innovations
The 38th Eskom International Science Fair was the culmination of 35 intensive regional competitions held in nine provinces during July and August, where young scientists presented their scientific ideas and research projects to a panel of judges.
Young scientists from across the country participated in the annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science fair (ISF) held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre on October 2 to 5.
This year, 512 learners from various schools across the country took part in the competition with the hope of taking home a share of R10-million worth of prizes.
Nineteen of the 512 learners are from Ekurhuleni.
The panel of judges included professionals from the private sector, academics, scientists and educators.
Top performing scholars were awarded prizes in the form of bursaries by Eskom to study degrees related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Other prizes included laptops, cash prizes and a chance to represent South Africa at the prominent international science fairs in the United States, China, Taiwan, Turkey, Zambia and Kenya.
The chairman of the Eskom Expo board of directors, Pieter Pretorius, said: “We will continue reaching out to more young scientists in areas that are not easily accessible, and where youngsters have little to no resources. We are actively working to address these issues by deploying mentors to schools that lack resources to make science fun and exciting.”
Pretorius said many of the learners who participated in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists regional expos have been inspired by challenges they see in their communities, and have gone out to find effective and innovative solutions to these problems.
Ekurhuleni learners walked away with bronze, silver and gold medals and certificates.
Gold medal winner, Kgaogelo Molauzi, from Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld High School in Kempton Park, designed a project called ‘#Every drop of water counts’.
“I feel happy that finally I walked away with a gold medal.”
“Last year I won a bronze medal and somehow I felt discourage but I thank my teachers and parents for encouraging me to enter again this year.”
Top senior and junior Eskom Expo grand prize winners were Aqil Variava from Klerksdorp and Damian van der Merwe from Johannesburg.
Aqil received a whopping R75 000 cash prize for his outstanding project called ‘Pollution Index’. He also designed an environmental management software set to tackle pollution through providing an in-depth analysis of freshwater bodies by providing both the potential cause and appropriate remedial measures.
Meanwhile, Damian received R50 000 for his brilliant project called ‘Schoolio’ which tested the possibility of being able to assist students to use a new method of learning called education gamification.
The Eskom Expo provides a platform for learners to increase their awareness and knowledge of the wonders of science, and also hopes to broaden their scientific horizons.
It also serves as motivation for them to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) fields.
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Watch: Ekurhuleni learners shine at science expo
Ekurhuleni learners shine at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists .
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