KZN pupil invited to international science fair
SUHAAN Singh hopes to make a difference in Covid-19 screening at schools with his latest invention.
The 16-year-old, of Newcastle, created a mobile application and a robot using a Lego kit, which dispenses sanitiser and simultaneously measures temperature.
He has been selected to showcase his invention at the 2021 Virtual Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Isef) in the US from May 16 to 21. The Isef, which is the world’s largest pre-college science competition, also celebrates research-minded youth across the globe.
The Grade 11 learner at St Dominic's Academy said his dream was to change the world – one robot and mobile application at a time.
“I love looking for simple solutions to making life a little easier. Everyone should be entitled to basic rights, safety, education and food. Whether you are rich or poor you should have access to systems that allow you to feel protected and allow you to save lives.”
Suhaan won a bronze medal at the 2020 Eskom Expo International Science Fair before being selected for the Isef.
He said the idea of creating a mobile application and the robot emerged while standing in Covid-19 screening queues at school.
“As I stood in the long queue, I watched a multiple number of teachers systematically screen the pupils before they entered the school. Each teacher had a purpose in this system. This was to spray sanitiser on the pupils’ hands, measure the temperature, confirm if the pupil had any listed Covid-19 symptoms, and then record the pupil’s name and temperature on an attendance list.
“I realised that not only were the pupils at risk as they passed through the teachers that were screening them by cross-contamination, but also the teachers. The virus could easily be spread from one pupil to another as they were being screened.
“The teacher could also land up infecting her family at home, and I could take the virus home to my family. I began to think of my brother who has a kidney deficiency, my father and my elderly grandmother with co-morbidities. I began to realise that if I were to take this home and one of them was to pass on, how would I ever be able to live with myself.
“I decided it was up to me to take on the task to change the world and allow people to feel safe while being screened.”
Suhaan said his project consisted of two parts, the robot and the mobile application.
“When the robot is initiated by a sensor, it dispenses sanitiser and simultaneously measures the pupil’s temperature. The temperature is then displayed on the back of the robot.
“Thereafter, the teacher initiates the CAM app by scanning the pupil’s code. The pupil’s details that are linked to the code are displayed on the mobile device. This allows the teacher to confirm the pupil’s name and input the required information like the temperature.”
He said the pupil’s information was then stored in the cloud database.
“If the pupil is denied access the parents are contacted, and the teacher can be replaced by another teacher so as not to expose any other pupils. This process breaks the chain of spreading the virus, by making informed decisions.
“In the greatest fight in humanity against the coronavirus, automation and digitalisation may be one of our greatest weapons to saving mankind.”
Suhaan said there were about 1 800 international finalists. The first round of virtual judging would be held from May 3.
“The Isef adapted to a virtual setting for the first time in 2020 when Covid-19 became the focus of the world. Last year, there were more than 1300 finalists that represented over 50 countries as well 185000 virtual attendees. This year will be no different. We will participate through videos and online demonstrations. Interviews with expert judges will also be done virtually.”
Suhaan, whose invention falls under the engineering category, said there were 21 categories and the cash prizes ranged from $500 (about R7000) to $5000.
He said he was excited to represent South Africa.
“I entered the expo as part of a school science project. I just had fun with what I thought could save lives, and now I am here, showcasing South Africa on a world stage. That in itself is such a win.
“It is also a win that while President Cyril Ramaphosa recently started policy-making around the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the development of the first African blockchain, a South African kid was selected with this project, which incorporates robotics and 4IR technologies.”
Suhaan said he was inspired to follow in the footsteps of Elon Musk, a South African-born American entrepreneur.
“I intend on studying engineering. However, Elon Musk has shown that he did not need a degree in rocket science to build a space rocket. He did it by sheer will and determination.
“I hope to work as a design engineer, while I continue ushering in an era of the 4IR. I hope to use innovative and creative ideas so I can change the world and make it a safer and better place where it is not dependent on how much you earn.”