Young scientists impressed judges with their creative science and innovation research projects at the Namaqua regional finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
A total of 34 learners from the region gathered at the NoordeRec Club in Aggeneys on 2 August 2022 to showcase their innovative science, engineering and social investigations, while 13 judges who are educators, specialists and scholars in the various competition categories and Eskom Expo enthusiasts evaluated and gave scores to the 23 projects that were on exhibition.
This regional expo was one of 35 regional expos planned in all provinces across South Africa – the first Eskom Expo physical science fairs since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the most number of entries were seen in the Biomedical and Medical Sciences category.
Eskom Expo’s Northern Cape Provincial Coordinator, Chris McCartney, said: “Unfortunately, only five schools participated in the Namaqua Expo held in Aggeneys, but there was also a small sub-regional expo held in Calvinia on 4 August, where an additional 16 projects were entered by 26 learners from four schools. In total, there were 60 learners from nine schools in Namaqua who entered 39 projects.”
For the two combined expos, a total of 16 learners received bronze medals, while 13 received silver and eight received gold. Learners from Hoërskool Boesmanland received the most number of gold medals and medals overall.
The Eskom Special Award winners at the event were:
- Best project by a female: Nikita Brand with her project titled, “Money from Waste”
- Best Energy project: Kichia Visagie with the project, “Quiver Tree”
- Best Development project: Jochen Engelsman with the project, “Colour me Green”
- Most Innovative project: Rowen Visagie with a model of a Stamper
Eskom Development Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Cecil Ramonotsi, said: “As the funder of Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, it has been a welcoming return to form to be able to host a physical expo in the region this year. It was impressive how learners, especially previously disadvantaged learners and girls, were able to develop such innovative projects while still at school, giving assurance that the future is in good hands. Eskom is investing in young scientists through Eskom Expo, which forms part of a broader Eskom strategy of skills development, investing in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) at school level.”
Nthato Minyuku, Eskom Group Executive: Government and Regulatory Affairs, said: “Eskom is committed to nurturing South Africa’s brightest young minds through regional science fairs, where they are able to present their innovations and exposed to the diversity of career opportunities in the scientific world. Eskom Expo remains one of our flagship corporate citizenship initiatives, through which we actively develop the innovation potential, presentation skills and competitive edge of our young scientists. Congratulations to all medal winners who we trust will make even greater strides at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF).”
Learners in the region who advance to the ISF, which will be held in December, will compete against the best performing young scientists around the country. At this prestigious event, learners stand a chance to win prizes and bursaries, along with scholarships and various opportunities. Learners also stand a chance to be selected to showcase their research or innovation in an international science fair in the United States of America, Asia, Europe and the rest of Africa.
Download images here: https://we.tl/t-XieHtK8v9L
For more information on the Namaqua region, contact Chris McCartney: chris@exposcience.co.za
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