Young scientists showcase innovations at West Coast regional expo

A number of budding young scientists gathered at the White City Multi-Purpose Centre in Saldanha to display their science and innovation research projects for the West Coast regional finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

A total of 88 learners from the region gathered on 3 August 2022 to showcase their innovative science, engineering and social investigations, while 33 judges who are educators, specialists and scholars in the various competition categories and Eskom Expo enthusiasts evaluated and gave scores to the 66 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 Social Sciences category with 11 entries. There were also a significant number of entries in Environmental Studies, Agricultural Sciences and Animal Sciences.

Eskom Expo Regional Science Fair Director in the West Coast region, Ms Ursula Boys, said: “The interest, love and study of sciences are not only personally fulfilling, but are fast becoming a necessity for young learners to survive in the new knowledge economy. We are now entering a post-Covid era, and so much has changed in the workplace. I am convinced that you do not want to be left behind.”

Boys added: “I would like to thank all teachers, parents and volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make this event possible. These teachers and mentors selflessly give up their time to promote science education and bring out the full potential of our learners.  Our parents are critical in creating a loving and supporting environment for young minds to run free and be creative.”

A total of 22 learners received bronze medals, while 17 received silver and 5 received gold. Learners from five schools received gold medals.

The Special Award winners at the event were:

Eskom award winners
BEST FEMALE Azharia Grounder (also best junior project)	Saldanha Primary	Received Bluetooth headphones from Eskom; Headphones, USBs and Goodie bags from Teta; Speakers from Arcellor Mittal Fossil Parks Family Vouchers
BEST DEVELOPMENT Atsho Khaba Lethu Citwa (also best group project)	Diazville High School	Received Bluetooth headphones; Speakers from Arcellor Mittal; Power Banks and Books; Fossil Parks Family Vouchers
BEST ENERGY Jakes Roothman	Vredendal High School	Bluetooth headphones from Eskom Fossil Park Family Vouchers
BEST INNOVATION Weoska Fortuin Janushka Cloete	Diazville Primary	Bluetooth Headphones(ESKOM) Fossil Park Family Vouchers
Department of Water Affairs winners
Lyla Makau	Vredenburg High School	Dept. Of Water Affairs Fossil Park Family Vouchers.
Chresin Booysen	Ebenhaeser Primary	Dept. Of Water Affairs Fossil Park Family Vouchers
Keirah Mostert	Noordhoek Primary	Dept Of Water Affairs
Other
Thiedu Du Preez (Best Senior Project)	Vredenburg High School	Fossil Park Family Vouchers Speakers from Arcellor Mittal. Headphones, USBs and Goodie bags from Teta.
TJ Moolman	Hopefield High School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers Speakers from Arcellor Mittal
Kiara Roux	Curro Langebaan	Fossilpark Family Vouchers Speakers from Arcellor Mittal.
Sam Juries	Curro Langebaan	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Lynnique Koopman Marsha Lee Faro	Noordhoek Primary	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Juan Mundell	Curro Langebaan	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Palesa Theletsane	Hopefield High School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Aiden Pieters	Porterville Primary School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Liam Burke	Curro Langebaan	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Lyla Makau	Vredenburg High School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Gawie-Louis Grunder Nico Geldenhuys	Curro Langebaan	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Connor John Davidson	Curro Langebaan	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Bene Phutmuma	Saldanha Primary School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Nadine Roux	Vredenburg High School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Duran Farmer	Vergenoeg Primary School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Zariah Peterson Gabi Bowers	Noordhoek Primary School	Fossilpark Family Vouchers
Alexander Steenkamp	Curro Langebaan	Fossilpark Family Vouchers

The South African National Parks also awarded vouchers to: New Vredenburg High School, Noordhoek Primary School and Louwville High School; while Sky Park gave away vouchers to 20 lucky learners.

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.

For more information on the West Coast region, contact: Ms Ursula Boys: 084 909 2620