More than a hundred learners had the opportunity to showcase their science and innovation research projects at the Bethlehem regional finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
A total of 145 learners from the region gathered at the Nelson Mandela Hall of the University of the Free State’s Qwa Qwa Campus on the 13 August to showcase their innovative science, engineering and social investigations, while 41 judges who are educators, specialists and scholars in the various competition categories and Eskom Expo enthusiasts evaluated and gave scores to the 102 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 Engineering category with 33 entries. There were also a significant number of entries in the Social Sciences category.
A total of 32 learners received bronze medals, while 18 received silver and 13 received gold. Learners from Lady Brand Primary and The Beacon Secondary received the most number of gold medals, and number of medals overall.
The Eskom Special Award winners, who were awarded Bluetooth headsets, were:
- Best Energy Project – Thabang Radebe from The Beacon Secondary
- Best Innovation Project – Siyabonga Mkhoza and Paballo Mokoena from Molibeli Primary
- Best Female Project – Nadia Pillay from Ficksburg High School
- Best Development Project – Kgokase Mahlatsi from New Horizon College
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.
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