Eastern Cape young scientists shine

An astonishing 70% of people living in informal settlements want to use recycled wastewater to grow their own food. This is one of the findings of an award-winning research effort which was one of around 80 projects showcased at the provincial Eastern Cape Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

The project on sustainable informal settlements earned Kai Bruinders from Theodor Herzl High the Eskom Special Award for Best innovation Project. The research findings showed a willingness to adapt by informal dwellers with 80% open to new interventions in their lives.

Another Eskom Special Award went to Linamandla Manana from Grey Boys for the Best Energy Project. The research project showed that traffic lights can be operated by solar power, with the proviso that the energy generated has to be stored so that the traffic lights can also work at night.

Other Eskom special prizes went to:

• Best Development Project: Ayabulela Mbhele from Ndzondelelo High who worked on a project to establish ways to extinguish a fire faster, and thereby saving lives as well as water.
• Best Female Project: Maya de Villiers from the Sunridge School who saved an abandoned guinea pig, learning about its food and mating habits.

A gold medal went to Cole Bennett from Grey Boys for his research that showed that urine can – and should – be used to fertilise gardens.

The Eastern Cape awards event is one of nine provincial events leading into the final Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF), which will be held on 8 October. The ISF will include participants from 35 regions in South Africa and some African countries.

The prize-giving was held virtually on 27 August 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The subjects of learners’ research were so varied. It is fascinating to see how socially astute young people are, and how they want to make a difference,” said provincial coordinator of the Eskom Expo, André Schlemmer.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop school learners from entering excellent research projects for the country’s oldest and most prestigious science fair. A wide range of subjects were covered, ranging from social sciences to energy and engineering. Top of the list, though, was the category of earth sciences.

The Expo is part of Eskom’s broader strategy of skills development, investing in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) subjects at school level, says Schlemmer.

“As the primary funder, Eskom endeavours to cultivate a research mind set in the youth through programmes such as the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists” says Eskom Development Foundation CEO, Cecil Ramonotsi.

Now in its 41^st year, the Eskom Expo is endorsed by the Department of Public Enterprises, Department of Science and Innovation, the Department of Basic Education and has also received recognition from the Presidency. It sees learners presenting their scientific research work to judges, professionals from the private sector, academics, scientists, and educators, learners from other schools, parents as well as other interested members from the general community

Congratulations to the following learners for participating

 

Brynique Ward	Oatlands Prep School	Project title
Ayush Pillay	Theodor Herzl High School	The Earth Battery
Elovuyo Makohliso	Chapman S School	Manipulating Photosynthesis
Liam Naidoo	Theodor Herzl High School	What is the most effective energy source?
Mihlali Ngqinzi	Oatlands Prep School	Is Grey Water good for your plants?
Lubabalo Makhabane	Oatlands Prep School	Is Grey Water good for your plants?
Sinokholo Manyati	Nombulelo S S School	Does shoe design really affect the jumping of an athlete’s jumping height?
Isabella Price	Theodor Herzl High School	is installing solar panels worth it
Phawu Hlana	Oatlands Prep School	To Solar Panel or not
Imivuyo Matebese	Oatlands Prep School	To Solar Panel or not
Liara Jones	Ntaba Maria Pre-Primary School	Protecting Plant Sciences plants from pathogenic infections
Asayamkela Nonxuba	Ntaba Maria Pre-Primary School	Protecting Plant Sciences plants from pathogenic infections
Oyisa Fani	Ntaba Maria Pre-Primary School	Human Behaviour & Cyber Bullying
Liyabona Gxidolo	Ntaba Maria Pre-Primary School	Human Behaviour & Cyber Bullying
ovayo mfihlo	Ntsika Senior S School	Management Strategies To Stop Rhinoceros Poaching In South Africa
zimbini sintwa	Ntsika Senior S School	The use of onion ( Allium Cepa) to regenerate renewable energy in the form of electricity
Sanelisiwe Nqweniso	Oatlands Prep School	How plants get affected by watering them with different types of water and coloured water
Colin Fletcher	Kingswood College	Sweet Potato Crop Sciences
Micha Booysen	Paterson High School	HOW TO SAVE RHINOS FROM POACHING
Drazene Chansen	Paterson High School	HOW TO SAVE RHINOS FROM POACHING
Zipho Shumayele	Holy Cross Kiddieland	Bulletproof suit
Abdurrahman Ahmed	Theodor Herzl High School	Bio-friendly plastic toys
Wongama Seyisi	Khwezi Lomso Comprehensive School	QckShare Website
Emihle Hlobo	Ntaba Maria Pre-Primary School	Save water drops
Kungawo Lwana	Ntaba Maria Pre-Primary School	Save water drops
Jeannie Coleske	Theodor Herzl High School	Methane gas coming from animal manure (Horse manure)
Lukho Gayi	Graeme College Boys’ High	E-App & Converter doctor
Ziyolise Shumani	Umtata High School	Panic Activated Chicken Alarm
Adri Clark	Stirling High School	Use of bio-decomposition of algae to improve water quality

 

Matthew Miah	Stirling High School	Use of bio-decomposition of algae to improve water quality
Sixolile Mzamo	Excelsior Ss School	Sound matter vs atom
Lila Lourens	Verkenner P School	Why is space black ?
Joseph Moolman	Grey Boys P School
Christian Horne	Grey Boys P School
Dante Elkington	Grey Boys P School

 Highly Commended Winners

Kwakhanya Mbenyana	Kingswood College	Is Greenwashing Real?
Shalin Jeena	Theodor Herzl High School	wind powered electricty
Anthonij Loots	Theodor Herzl High School	Which out of the 5 growing substances is the best for growing beans?

 Bronze Medal Winners

Antonio Franzoni	Theodor Herzl High School	Does music affect the growth of plants?
Carlin Lehman	Theodor Herzl High School	Bird Preferences in an Urban and Natural Area
Connor Sauls	Grey Boys P School	Bye bye Wally the fly
Zadie-ann Gamba	Alexander Road High School	Eye Exercises
Sarah Jane van der Merwe	Theodor Herzl High School	Food Fungus
Mitchelle Chininga	Alexander Road High School	Mask safety – effectiveness matters
Hamish Bardien	Paterson High School	The Effect of Industrial Activity on the Ph of Water
Siphosethu Mtyapi	Victoria Girls’ High School	Comparing rainwater, springwater and municipal water
Christan Morkel	Grey Boys P School	How can I make a pool cleanre that does not use electricity?
Jade Meyer	Theodor Herzl High School	What Waste?
Kayden Groener	Grey Boys P School	Water Harvesting Project
Connor Parry	Grey Boys P School	Which water will work wonders?
Adri Fourie	Theodor Herzl High School	Affected opinions
Francis Lehman	Theodor Herzl High School	Do People Really Care About Their Family History?
Adrienne Schmidt	Theodor Herzl High School	The Who, How and Why of Crying
Jack Manson	Grey Boys P School	Is your non-dominant hand more sensitive to the cold
Sarah Venter	Pearson High School	Erosion beneficial?
Suska Beets	Pearson High School	The mechanical filtering of rain water for domestic use
Luke Mason	Grey Boys P School	How to Change Air into Water – Different States Matter

Silver Medal Winners

Jessica Coetzer	Sunridge P School	OLD TEA BAGS BRING NEW LIFE
Micah Wessels	Grey Boys P School	GAME, SET AND CATCH
Jared Ah Shene	Grey Boys P School	Metal Corrosion
Aiden Manson	Grey Boys P School	What type of wood burns the fastest?
Matthew Gibbs	Grey Boys P School	The Importance of Plant Roots in Soil Erosion
Liam Petzer	Grey Boys P School	Worm tea vs H2O
Max Schewitz	Theodor Herzl High School	Can solar ovens be a viable alternative?
Ayabulela Mbhele	Ndzondelelo High School	FFF(Fast fighter feeler)
Morgan Johnson	Theodor Herzl High School	The Door Pedal
Russel Stratford	Grey Boys P School	Next Environmental Catastrophe
Ryan Venter	Grey Boys P School	Dust Zapper
Tyler Kelly	Grey Boys P School	Let’s go “Ballistics”
Bryce Loenen	Grey Boys P School	May the force be with you
Jarrod Le Roux	Grey Boys P School	North to South, East to West, Magnets Germinate Seeds Best
Rosalie Reid	Kingswood College	Are horoscopes accurate or is it placebo effect?
Kaitlyn Baxter	Theodor Herzl High School	The effect of screen time and sleep time on academic performance.
Kaela Goodall	Theodor Herzl High School	The Fear Factor
Anfred Jansen	Grey Boys P School	Just drink it.
Chloe Du Preez	Pearson High School	Water Filtration System

 Gold Medal Winners

Ali Mehdi Rizvi	Graeme College Boys’ High	Germination And Plant Growth Of LED Lights Compared To The Sun
Aidan Miltz	Theodor Herzl High School	Animal Behaviors during the levels of lockdown
Maya de Villiers	Sunridge P School	Rescuing Frieda: The rescue and care of an abandoned guinea pig
James Chree	Grey Boys P School	Carbon vs. Speed
Zach Nutt	Grey Boys P School	Reusing PPE-Covid free !
Luke Parker	Grey Boys P School	Corrosion Explosion
Cole Bennett	Grey Boys P School	Can ‘Wee’ save the planet?
Ayanda Manyela	Grey Boys P School	Clear Clean H20
Tristan Krige	Grey Boys P School	Could this be South Africa’s First Wave Pool?
Markus Potgieter	Grey Boys P School	Desalination Creation
Petrus Lafras Moolman	Grey Boys P School	Fish heads and tomatoes
Lincoln Creighton	Grey Boys P School	TO WORM OR NOT TO WORM
Linamandla Manana	Grey Boys P School	Investigating the possibility of solar-powered traffic lights

Thomas Scowby	Grey Boys P School	Drive Smart and Save Money
Georgia – Mae Botha	Kingswood College	Helping the Earth one drain at a time.
Aiden Zeelie	Theodor Herzl High School	The Iron-arm. Engineering for a safer workplace
James Wright	Grey Boys P School	Physical Effects of Fortnite
Kai Bruinders	Grey Boys P School	Sustainable Informal Housing
Abrie Jordaan	Grey Boys P School	Sand on the loose

 Best Category Winners

Agricultural Sciences	Ali Mehdi Rizvi	Graeme College Boys’ High	Germination And Plant Growth Of LED Lights Compared To The Sun
Animal Sciences	Aidan Miltz	Theodor Herzl High School	Animal Behaviors during the levels of lockdown
Biomedical and Medical Sciences	James Chree	Grey Boys P School	Carbon vs. Speed
Chemistry and Biochemistry	Luke Parker	Grey Boys P School	Corrosion Explosion
Earth Sciences	Ayanda Manyela	Grey Boys P School	Clear Clean H20
Energy	Linamandla Manana	Grey Boys P School	Investigating the possibility of solar- powered traffic lights
Engineering	Georgia – Mae Botha	Kingswood College	Helping the earth one drain at a time.
Environmental Studies	Chloe du Preez	Pearson High School	Water Filtration System
Physics, Astronomy and Space Sciences	Bryce Loenen	Grey Boys P School	May the force be with you
Plant Sciences	Jarrod Le Roux	Grey Boys P School
Social Sciences	Kai Bruinders	Theodor Herzl High School	Sustainable Informal Housing

 Rhodes University Bursary winners 

Georgia-Mae Botha	Kingswood	Helping the earth one drain at a time	Gr 9
Ayabulela Mbhele	Ndzondelelo High School	FFF (Fast fighter feeler)	Gr 12
Rosalie Reid	Kingswood	Are horoscopes accurate or is it a placebo effect?	Gr 9
Mitchelle Chininga	Alexander Road High School	Mask-safety-effectiveness matters	Gr 9
Zadie-ann Gamba	Alexander Road High School	Eye exercises	Gr 12

Eskom Expo Prizes

Best Development Project:

Ayabulela Mbhele

Ndzondelelo High School

FFF(Fast fighter feeler)

  

Best Female Project:

Maya de Villiers

Sunridge P School

Rescuing Frieda: The rescue and care of an abandoned guinea pig

 

Best Energy Project:

Linamandla Manana

Grey Boys P School

Investigating the possibility of solar-powered traffic lights

 

Best Innovation Project:

Kai Bruinders

Theodor Herzl High School

Sustainable Informal Housing