Young scientists from around the African continent and other parts of the world last week dazzled at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair in Johannesburg.
The Eskom Expo, endorsed by the departments of public enterprises, basic education, and science and technology, saw learners competing for a spot at the prestigious ISF, which is a culmination of all the regional competitions.
The young scientists presented innovative projects, from solar systems and ways of saving water, to methods of being energy-efficient.
Science on show
At the expo, the learners showed their science experiments and projects to a panel of judges that included professionals from the private sector, academics, scientists and educators in a bid to take home a medal, a prize or a ticket to an International Science Fair.
Apart from SA, participants at this year's event also came from Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Brazil.
The four Eskom Special Award winners were:
- Best Energy Project: Waheed Amanjee (Grade 10, Creston College, KZN);
- Best Energy Efficiency Project: Daniel Holmes (Grade 7, Grey Boys Junior School, Eastern Cape);
- Best Female Project: Khilona Piyarlall (Grade 9, Scottburgh High School, KZN); and
- Best Development Project: Kamogelo Rakgetse, (Grade 11, Abraham Serote Secondary, Limpopo).
Eskom says the expo not only exposes learners to the exciting fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation, but learners also get a chance to gain some important life skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving as well as discipline, presentation skills, the importance of team work as well as learning to interact with people from a variety of backgrounds.
Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor urged the youngsters to be resolute in following a career in science, engineering and technology, and to go as far as they can in their studies.
"I always love coming to the Eskom Expo because it gives me a sense of what the future of our country looks like. The young scientists here are a demonstration that we as a nation can and will be a great achiever in the fields of science and technology.
"I was intrigued to see that all their projects seek to solve problems we are facing today and the solutions they are developing are not for their own gain but for society's benefit," said Pandor.
Also in attendance and to officially open this year's Eskom Expo ISF were the deputy minister of basic education, Enver Surty; Eskom group executive, Thava Govender; as well as chairman of the Eskom Expo board of directors, Pieter Pretorius.
Surty noted the significance of this year's fair as it coincides with the celebration of the life of the late struggle stalwart, Oliver Reginald Tambo, who was an avid scholar and teacher of mathematics and science at one point in his life.
"Had he been here today, OR would've been proud of all of you for taking an interest in these subjects. The world is changing at a rapid pace due to technology, and because of the fields you have decided to pursue ? the destiny of this country lies squarely in your hands. We need you to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills so that you can help our country to prosper."
Govender said Eskom's involvement in the expo is largely driven by the need to develop engineers in the country.
"For years now, the grave shortage of engineers, not just locally but around the globe, has been a major threat to meaningful advancement, particularly within the context of contributing to sustainable human, social and economic development. The competition is Eskom's way of addressing the mismatch between supply and demand in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation."
Bursary boost
Eskom also awarded bursaries worth a total of R1 332 000 to three deserving young scientists towards studying engineering degrees at a university of their choice in South Africa.
Grade 12 learners Nondumiso Mdletshe from Khula High School in KwaZulu-Natal, Joshua Boa-Amponsem from Empangeni High School also in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as Sindi Matlaila from Khamane Secondary School in Mpumalanga all walked away with bursaries.
"The Eskom Expo lived up to expectation by unearthing young scientists from across South Africa and other countries around the world," says the power utility.
Two other learners - Edrich Theodor Engelbrecht and Khilona Piyarlall - walked away with R75 000 and R50 000 prize money, respectively.
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