Budding young researchers had the opportunity to showcase their science and innovation projects at the Ekurhuleni regional finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists at the Boksburg Civic Centre Hall.

A total of 80 learners from the region gathered on 20 August to showcase their innovative science, engineering and social investigations, while 60 judges who are specialists and scholars in the various competition categories and Eskom Expo enthusiasts evaluated and gave scores to the 61 projects that were on exhibition. 

This year, the most number of entries were seen in the Engineering category with 15 entries. There were also a significant number of entries in Social Science and Earth Science categories. 

Eskom Expo’s Gauteng Provincial Coordinator, Raven Motsewabangwe, said: “The Ekurhuleni regional expo was the last of the four regional expos across the province, and we were delighted to have the Tshwane University of Technology and the National Institute of Theoretical and Computational Sciences come on board as prize sponsors.” 

A total of 13 learners received bronze medals, while 3 received silver and 2 received gold. All medals were spread across 13 school with Balmoral College and Hulwazi Secondary Schools scooping the only two gold medals awarded.

The Eskom Special Award winners, who were awarded Bluetooth headsets, were 

• Best Innovation: Yu Tan Shan from St John’s College
• Best Energy: Tsholo Mokebe and Siphiwe Sithomo from H.B Nyathi Secondary School
• Best Female: Tereso Mmako from Germiston High School
• Best Development: Nontobeko Ntsibande from hulwazi Secondary School

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.

Download images here: https://we.tl/t-aU7uiWCXmr

 

Issued by Eskom