Zim pupils shine at science fair

AT LEAST 20 students from primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe and the region on Friday walked away with awards and sponsored trips to Argentina and Tunisia at the end of the third edition of the African Science Buskers Festival that was held at Westridge Primary School.

Of the 20 winners, 18 are locals while the other two are from Botswana and Zambia.

Half of the winners were primary school learners.

The science gala, which attracted over 85 participants from 32 primary and secondary schools from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa, saw over 100 models being showcased, representing the best of what Zimbabwe and the region has to offer in terms of creativity and innovation on scientific projects.

Ten of the 20 students will participate at the science fair that will be held on October 15, 2019 in Argentina while the remaining 10 will attend a science fair in Tunisia next March.

In an interview, festival and Zimbabwe Science Fair director Mr Knowledge Chikundi said the event is aimed at raising a generation of problem solvers in tandem with the new education curriculum.

“The aim of this festival is to breed a generation of young stars who are able to solve problems something that our new curriculum is emphasising on. Students came up with science models that are aimed at solving problems we are facing around the world through innovative ways.

“An adjudication process was done and the panel of judges from Bindura University, Harare Institute of Technology and University of Zimbabwe came up with the final winners out of over 85 participants,” he said.

Some of the models were extraction of fuel from plastics, solar-powered dust cleaner, extraction of fuel from plant material, solar-powered incubator, jets project and drone technology.

Westridge Primary School headmaster Mr Thakobhai Kanjee said it was an honour to host the event.

“We were honoured to host this international event. We are also proud that some of our students received prizes for coming up with unique scientific models.

“Our mission is to provide students with effective functional skills in literacy, numeracy and education which will enable the students to develop cultural and social responsibility to become useful members of a wider and global society,” he said.