For Grade 12 learner Jonathan van Wyk, engineering is not simply about finding a solution that works. It is about finding an elegant solution where every component has a purpose and every design decision has a reason.
That approach earned the Point High School learner national recognition at the 46th Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF), where he received a Bronze medal, an FFS Refiners Award and a R40 000 Wits University Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment bursary.
Van Wyk, who represented the Eden Karoo Region, received an iPad from FFS Refiners for demonstrating the practical application of mechanical engineering principles. The Wits University bursary is awarded to young scientists who will enrol in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment in 2027.
For the Mossel Bay learner, hearing his name announced at both the Special Awards and Grand Awards ceremonies brought disbelief and satisfaction.
“The simple word ‘excitement’ does not do the feeling justice,” he said. “There was a moment of disbelief, followed by a quiet sense of satisfaction.”
After spending countless hours examining imperfections and thinking about ways to improve his work, receiving recognition at the ISF made the effort worthwhile.
“Knowing that someone had stopped and appreciated the elegance of my design and felt like my project was worthy of an award, especially at a level such as ISF, gave me great pleasure,” he said.
Van Wyk’s interest in engineering stems from a fascination with how things work and the process of turning an idea into something tangible.
“I enjoy designing, building, testing and improving new ideas,” he said. “I like to think practically about problems, searching for the most elegant and sophisticated solutions to complicated problems.”
This process initially attracted him to Eskom Expo. For Van Wyk, the programme gives young scientists the freedom to combine research and existing scientific principles with their own ideas, then repeatedly design, test, and improve a potential solution.
“You have the freedom to change the design as much as you like, developing it in the direction you choose,” he said. “This process of development, designing, building, testing and improving is one I truly enjoy spending time on. It’s exactly this process that drew me to the Eskom Expo competition.”
His involvement began through Ms C. Spies at Point High School, who promotes Eskom Expo and encourages young scientists at the school to participate.
At the ISF, one of Van Wyk’s favourite experiences was judging, particularly the challenge of defending his research and explaining the decisions behind his work.
“The defending of your project, trying to answer difficult questions the judge throws your way, explaining why the prototype works, why you tested the prototype in the way you did and why you got the results you got, this is what made the ISF truly memorable,” he said.
Meeting other young scientists from across the country was another highlight. Van Wyk was particularly impressed by the variety of research on display and the different ways participants approached problems.
“Talking to new innovators who have that same mindset of solving problems was such an incredible thing to witness,” he said. “The way young students think about problems and figure out ways to solve them is something I will never forget.”
His passion for science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) comes from curiosity about how the world works, a love of solving puzzles and the satisfaction of turning an idea into reality.
Those interests continue outside the classroom. Van Wyk is passionate about cars and motorsport, particularly automotive design, naturally aspirated V8 engines and manual gearboxes. He also follows Formula 1 and enjoys researching the sport.
Working with his hands is another important interest. He enjoys taking machinery apart, identifying and replacing damaged components, restoring rusted parts, and reassembling everything before testing whether it works correctly.
Looking ahead, Van Wyk hopes to study Aeronautical Engineering, with the long-term ambition of using his knowledge to design and build his own aircraft.
His advice to young scientists preparing for Eskom Expo reflects the same philosophy that guides his own approach to engineering. “Do not simply search for a solution that works; search for an elegant solution,” he said.
“A solution that works can be forced, complicated and filled with unnecessary additions. An elegant solution feels inevitable. Every component has a purpose. Every decision has a reason.”
For Van Wyk, innovation does not necessarily mean adding greater complexity. “The greatest inventions are not always the ones with the most complexity,” he said. “Often, they are the ones where complexity has been carefully removed, leaving behind something simple, efficient and meaningful.”
CreativeBox
