Science fair for young minds

THE country’s sharpest young scientific minds are meeting once more as this year’s Eskom Expo for Young Scientists gets under way.

The event has come to be known as the largest science fair in SA and brings together primary and high school pupils for a series of mental tests and the chance to represent their province at the International Science Fair (ISF) in Joburg in October, where they stand a chance of winning prizes worth more than R14 million.

The prizes include university bursaries from Eskom, laptops, electronic gadgets, some cash prizes and the opportunity to represent SA at bigger international science fairs in the US, Taiwan, Turkey, Zambia and Kenya. The event works like any old science fair; entrants show up with their projects and have them judged by specialists in various scientific fields.

Eskom Expo chairperson Pieter Pretorius said: “The regional finals of the Eskom Expo are always an exciting and incredible display of how innovative the young people of this country are. With such great passion and enthusiasm, pupils take on the challenge of looking at the problems they see around them; in their homes, schools, local communities and in South Africa more broadly, and find solutions to these problems.”

The expo is a way to keep young people interested in Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects and give them a platform to showcase their abilities in these subjects.

Eskom group executive Thava Govender said: “Last year saw a 43% increase in school participation and with this year’s strategy geared towards expansion in this area, particularly for rural and no-fee paying schools, this number is expected to increase.

“Greater exposure to science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation activities from a young age is a critical driver for transformation of our economy and the creation of a better world for all.” For more information, visit www. exposcience.co.za.

Chase Newel’s project included the design and testing of an ankle induction coil cellphone charger. His project was in the Animal Sciences category, but didn’t win a prize at the Intel International Science Fair. He is however highly commended for having represented SA at this prestigious science fair.

Gabriele Gess’s project, “How can honey bees survive in dry summer months?” is the first detailed study of pollen sources for honeybees in the Piket Bo-Berg. Her project was in the energy category and won fourth prize at the Intel International Science Fair.