The 44th Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) officially opened on 25 September 2024, featuring Coding and Robotics workshops and fascinating science shows. Approximately 308 young South African scientists, along with 18 international peers representing Lesotho, India, Russia, Mexico, Turkey, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya and Ireland converged to compete at the Convention Centre at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park until 27 September 2024. An array of exciting prizes from full bursaries to cash prizes, laptops and tablet computers were awarded to top performing innovators on 27 September 2024. Title sponsor, Eskom awarded four Special Awards of R10,000 in cash to the Best Female, Best Development, Best Energy and Best Innovation projects.
Best development project went to Salusiwe Mxayiya, a Grade 11 learner at Luhlaza High School in the Cape Town Region, was presented this award for investigating the population dynamics and infection rates of Hector’s lantern fish (Lampanyctodes hectoris) – a common species found along the west coast of South Africa. The judges identified two female learners for the Best Female award. Ammarah Patel, a Grade 10 learner from Parktown High School for Girls in the Johannesburg Region, whose project, titled, “The Optimization of the Physical Properties of Bioplastics,” was in the Environmental Studies category; and Naveera Chana, a Grade 8 learner from Cooper College in the Johannesburg Region, whose project titled, “Design of a Low-Cost System for Photosynthesis Measurements,” was in the Plant Sciences category. Best Innovation Project went to Aman Pati, a Grade 11 learner at Kingfisher School in the Mopani Region, Limpopo, was honoured with this award. Pati’s research project, titled ‘Revolutionizer: The Sky is NOT the Limit’, focused on the high cost of rocket fuel and the harmful black carbon emissions it produces, which are detrimental to both the environment and public health. Best energy project was awarded to Lukusa Tshizubu, a Grade 12 learner at Parow High School. The Judges adjudicating in the Energy Category were impressed with his project titled, “GreenHauler - Construction Debris Management Truck”.
The young scientists also had an opportunity to embark on guided tours of the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre where they interacted with exciting science, technology and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) exhibits, as well as Museum Africa, before presenting their research projects to judges. These young scientists tackled a wide range of topics, reflecting both personal and societal challenges, not only addressing issues that matter to them personally, but also working on solutions with the potential to make a meaningful impact in their schools and communities.
Eskom Expo Executive Director, Mr Parthy Chetty said: “the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) is a celebration of innovation, creativity, and discovery. This national initiative which is jointly supported by the DBE and the Department of Science and Innovation, highlights the critical role of STEMI in shaping the future of South Africa. School participation is vital in fostering curiosity and problem-solving skills in young minds. By engaging learners in STEMI, we empower the next generation to become leaders, innovators and change makers. This event brings together many like-minded organisations to promote and support future young scientists and engineers. Sponsors like the University of Pretoria, Babcock and Siemens Energy are generously sponsoring six full bursaries for learners to pursue engineering degrees at a South African university of their choice, contingent on meeting the required criteria upon receiving their matric results”. Various partial bursaries with a total value of over R3.6 million and monetary prizes up to R75,000 cash were also up for grabs, along with laptops and tablet computers.
Eskom Development Foundation Acting CEO, Ms Mologadi Motshele said: “As the proud funder of the Eskom Expo, we at Eskom are excited to witness the ingenuity and creativity that these young scientists will bring to this year’s event. Engaging in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI) from an early age is key to transforming our economy and creating a better future for the country”.
During the Expo Award Ceremony, Deputy Minister Mhaule informed participants and quests that the DBE has developed the concept of the Three Stream Model, which refers to multiple learning pathways at school level within the Academic, Vocational and Occupational Streams for the National Senior Certificate (NSC). “The DBE intends to provide multiple learning pathways by diversifying the curriculum at FET level to promote the acquisition of knowledge, skills, competencies and dispositions for a changing world and to improve access and success in attainment of post-school qualifications. The Department is also embarking on the Focus Schools Programme, which exemplifies our efforts to provide specialty education that addresses the education and training needs of our learners and their prospective workplaces, and it cannot be a surprise to hear that the largest number of Focus Schools in existence countrywide, are for Mathematics, Science and Technology subjects and Agriculture. As I moved through the exhibition, I was astounded by the many solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges presented by the finalists. The Basic Education Sector stands ready to implement the solutions to these challenges as presented by the learners. We need to ensure that every child is carried forward to a future of personally fulfilling and commercially constructive activity that must eventuate in the eradication of the evils of poverty and unemployment, delivering the just economic benefits that should accrue to every South African,” added Deputy Minister Mhaule.