HOW TO TAKE PART IN ESKOM EXPO
So, you’re between grades 4 and 12 and have this brilliant science project idea that will greatly impact your community… but you do not know where to turn to? Well, you’re in luck!
The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists allows learners to increase their awareness and knowledge of the wonders of science and also hopes to broaden their scientific horizons.
Before your horizons can be broadened, you need to contact one of our 35 regional science fair directors (RSFD) to find out what is required to take part in Eskom Expo and which one of the 13 categories your project falls under. When you contact your RSFD, have the following pointers handy:
- Be sure of the region that you live in
- Know your district/nearest town
- Have structured questions at hand
- Have a pen and paper to take down information
Through Eskom Expo, learners are able to present their scientific research work to judges who are professionals from the private sector, academics, scientists, educators, as well as retired professionals of the community, at 35 regional expos that take place between July and August each year.
From these regional expos, the best-of-the-best head to the International Science Fair (ISF) where they not only compete with their local peers, but with top young scientists from around the world, including Mexico, Ghana, Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Tanzania.
What about the prizes?
Regional science fairs and ISF offers a ton of prizes! Every year, our title sponsor Eskom and other companies award bursaries and other special prizes, to the value of ~10 million, to deserving students.
Bursary winners may be chosen from regional fairs even if they did not make it all the way to ISF, and will be awarded to the learners, provided they meet the required criteria when they receive their matric results at the end of the year. Learners can thus study electrical engineering and/or other fields within science, at a South African university of their choice. Grade 12 learners also stand a chance to win a three and a half year Electronics/Mechatronics apprenticeship at the Siemens Technical Academy in Berlin in Berlin
Laptops, cash prizes as well as once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to represent South Africa at prominent international science fairs in the United States, China, Taiwan, Turkey, Zambia and Kenya are also awarded to deserving learners with the help of various long standing sponsors of the Eskom Expo.
Not some fly-by-night expo
Now in its 39th year, the Eskom Expo is endorsed by the Department of Public Enterprises, Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Basic Education and has also received recognition from the Presidency.
Eskom Expo provides a platform for young scientists and encourages them to pursue careers in the sciences by igniting a passion for innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
CreativeBox
