At the thirty-fifth State-owned power utility Eskom Expo International Science Fair held earlier this month, learners from Gauteng excelled and took home the most number of prizes valued at over R2.5-million.
“South Africa is fast becoming the hub of science research and excellence on the continent by hosting young scientists from Africa, and beyond. We are exposing them to the exciting world of science in South Africa and more importantly, the value of engaging in scientific research,” says Eskom Expo for Young Scientists executive director Parthy Chetty.
He notes that to maintain this momentum and to ensure Africa’s competitive survival in a global context, South Africa relies on unique initiatives, such as the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, which provides an environment and a platform for inquiry and innovation.
At this year’s expo, there were 320 female participants, versus 253 male participants, while participants from Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe have participated for the third year in a row.
The overall winner of the Eskom Award for Best Female Project was Gabriella Fedetto, a Grade 10 learner from St Stithians College in Randburg, Johannesburg. Gabriella designed an automated medicine dispenser for Alzheimer’s patients who need to be reminded to take their medication. She was awarded a laptop and has been selected to potentially represent South Africa at other international science fairs, pending more interviews with Eskom Expo judges.
Fedetto got the idea to design this device after seeing first-hand during school community service how Alzheimer’s patients constantly have to be given their medication. She then took it upon herself to design her automatic pill dispenser to help these patients.
The prestigious Derek Gray Award of a Gold Medal and trip to the Stockholm International Youth Science Summit at the Nobel Awards Ceremony as well as a full bursary to study at the University of Pretoria was won by Malan Steenkamp from Port Elizabeth.
“Science is an international endeavour and I am glad Eskom has created this platform for young scientists to pursue their passion and demonstrate their talent,” states Department of Science and Technology deputy director-general Dr Thomas Auf der Heyde.
He mentions that with an average age of 16, he hopes in the next 10 to 15 years the country will be seeing some of the work of these young people helping to change the country and the world for the better.
This year’s Special Awards were awarded to some of the most outstanding participants in South Africa’s largest school-level science fair. The Special Awards were sponsored by Eskom and several other organisations and universities. Prizes included books, laptops, iPads, cash and university bursaries.
The Eskom Special Award winners were:
• Eskom Award for Best Project from a Rural Area – Kagiso Morake from Technical High School Klerksdorp (North West)
• Eskom Award for Best Energy Project – Alecia Brits from Hoërskool Diamantveld in Kimberley (Northern Cape)
• Eskom Award for Best Energy Efficiency Project – Jennifer Viljoen from Laerskool Proteapark in Bojanala (North West)
• Eskom Award for Best Female Project – Gabriella Fedetto from St Stithians College in Johannesburg (Gauteng)