Young scientists impress at expo
The 35th annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists was held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre from October 7 to 9.
The expo is South Africa’s most prestigious science fair for school learners, affording them an opportunity to exhibit their own scientific investigations while practising the scientific method.
A total of 573 young scientists from all over the country competed for a chance to win university bursaries and trips to top international science fairs worth more than R2-million.
The Eskom International Science Fair (ISF) is the culmination of 33 intensive regional competitions held in all nine provinces in July and August, where these young scientists presented their scientific ideas and research projects.
The expo’s primary aim is to encourage the youth of South Africa, and Africa in general, to participate in science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation (STEMI) activities in order to promote an interest in these areas with the long-term view to developing scientific skills.
The three-day expo was successful and had brilliant learners from different schools in attendance.
Eight science students from Ekurhuleni schools participated.
Claudia Moshobane, from Mopani, in Limpopo, whose project was called “Propanethial S-Oxide: The Lachrimatory factor and behold the humble onion, said: “I came up with this project because I wanted to see what makes the irritation to the eyes when you cut an onion. Onions do not have chemicals that cause eye irritation, however, the lachrymatory factor only produces an end product of the cutting process.”
Grade 11 student Jonathan Allison, from the Free State, made a project called “Is goedkoop batterye meer koste effektief as duurder batterye?”
He bought three cheap batteries and three expensive ones just to see which ones are more effective.
Allison found the cheaper ones were far more effective than those that cost more.
Over the years, the value of the university bursaries have increased exponentially with over R2-m available to winners in 2015.
Eskom also presents special awards to the best female, best development, best energy and best energy efficiency projects to encourage skills development in these sectors.
“The experience has been an amazing journey, coming all the way here, meeting new people, learning about their cultures and seeing their projects is a wonderful experience. I would like to win, but even if I don’t win, its fine because I have gained so much about science. This Eskom Expo will inspire me to do even more for my country and be on top,” said Kaylashni Moodley from Kwazulu-Natal.
The winners were due to be announced on the night of October 9.
