Seventeen-year-old Christopher May has emerged as one of South Africa’s brightest young minds, taking home the title of Top Senior Scientist at the 45th Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF).
The Grade 12 learner from Otto du Plessis High School in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape said his journey with Eskom Expo began two years ago when a teacher recognised his potential.
“What first drew me to Eskom Expo was my teacher and first mentor presenting the opportunity to me when I was in Grade 10,” he said. “I immediately saw the opportunity I was looking for, to use my passion for maths and science to create and present my own work in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field.”
He began preparing his first project in Grade 10 and presented it at his first ISF in 2024, where he earned a Silver medal for his mathematics project.
“Now, I’ve improved with my second Eskom Expo ISF project during Grade 12 in 2025, leading to the awards I achieved,” he said. “I especially have my teachers and mentors to thank for supporting me during my journey of growth and improvement in the Eskom Expo.”
The Eskom Expo International Science Fair, hosted at the Convention Centre at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, brought together South Africa’s top young scientists along with international participants from countries such as Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, India, Ireland, Russia, Ghana, and Mexico. Over several days, learners presented their research projects to judges, attend science shows, and took part in tours that deepen their understanding of STEM innovation.
For May, the event was about much more than competition. “My memorable moments at the Eskom Expo ISF were all the time I spent with my group from the Eastern Cape and interacting with new people from across the South Africa and various other countries,” he said. “Some of my most meaningful memories came from learning about other projects, especially the mathematics and physics ones. I made sure to spend my time during ISF 2025 meaningfully, as it was my second and last Eskom Expo ISF.”
That time and effort paid off spectacularly when he was announced as the Best in Category (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics) and the Top Senior Scientist overall, an achievement that came with a R100,000 cash prize with the research project, “Differential Geometric Modelling of Sound Signals and Ultrasound Imaging”. May designed a method to analyse the properties of sound using differential geometry. His research highlighted the value of mathematics as a tool to improve health care.
“Winning my awards of Best in Category and Top Senior Scientist first felt unbelievable,” said May. “Winning these awards only strengthened my passion for science and maths and gave me assurance that I have the capability to put everything I can into my projects – to use science and maths to do good in our world.”
May, whose hobbies and interests are mostly in science, said he also enjoys playing chess at school, reading and writing, and tutoring other learners. His passion for STEM is deeply rooted in curiosity and the joy of discovery.
“My passion comes from my love of learning and asking new questions,” he said. “It comes from using the theoretical and abstract concepts we learn every day in maths and science and finding new ways they can be practically used to solve real-world problems.”
Having achieved top honours in just his second year at Eskom Expo, May hopes his story will inspire others to begin their own journey in science.
“My advice to those starting their first Eskom Expo project is to know and keep in mind that every effort they put in plays the biggest role in changing the lives of those around them, no matter how big or small their project is,” he said. “Science and scientists grow together as a community to make a change, and we should have no reason to hold back our limits but to do our best in science together.”
May’s dedication to mathematics and science, coupled with an unyielding curiosity about the world, has made him a standout among the country’s top young innovators.
Read more:
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