Paul Stansell, a Grade 11 pupil of Sacred Heart College, recently won a gold medal in the category of innovation and technology in the Eskom Science Expo for Young Scientists.
The expo attracted 17 000 candidates this year, and some of them came from various countries across the world including participants from Brazil, Thailand and Mexico.
As part of the 17-year-old’s winnings is a trip to the SKA Telescope in the Northern Cape, and an interview for a possible visit to an international science fair. He also received study grants from the universities in Stellenbosch, Witwatersrand and Pretoria.
LISTEN: Paul Stansell of Sacred Heart College in an exclusive interview with the North Eastern Tribune after winning a gold medal at the Eskom Science Expo for Young Scientists:
A delighted Stansell said it was a really great experience to have the opportunity to compete at the highest level, although the competition was intense with international students taking part.
His project entitled, Embrive, which is a type of rocket for space travel which used microwaves instead of fuel, won him the medal.
“It feels good to have achieved these accolades, and hopefully I can continue with this project and take it overseas next year,” he said.
Stansell also won the Dr Meiring Naude Medal Award, which is named after Dr Meiring Naudee, who was the first honorary president of the expo. The award is presented to an outstanding creative project based on sound scientific research.
Two other Sacred Heart College pupils, Ruth McCormick and Charvana Skype Naidoo, won silver medals for their Cleanest Air-ea Project. The project tested air quality in five areas in Midrand, Bruma, Lenasia, Soweto and Johannesburg Central.
Lamorna Cantin, a science teacher at the college said, “Sacred Heart College is so proud of the persistence that our pupils portrayed during their investigations. We congratulate them on their remarkable achievements.”
