Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in the Western Cape will host a number of regional science fairs around the province to showcase the scientific brilliance of the province’s promising young scientists.
Stellenbosch regional expos will be held on 4 and 5 August at Paul Roos Gymnasium.
The regional expos will be the first physical science fairs since 2019, and they are where learners will have a chance to show and discuss their own scientific investigations in different fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with judges, teachers and students from other schools, parents and with other interested people.
Eskom Expo’s Western Cape Provincial Coordinator, Lyndon Manas, said the road to this year’s regional finals began with a series of workshops, followed by research and innovation camps and then district expos, where learners received valuable input from a team of experts to improve their research, prior to the regional expos.
He said: “Eskom Expo started the process of developing young scientists in the province by guiding them through the ideation phase of research as well as assisting them on how to write a research plan, project report, an abstract and the poster lay-out, along with how to identify potential ethics violations.
“The last two years have been quite challenging, as the Eskom Expo had to execute its mandates virtually as a result of the pandemic, so it’s a welcoming return to form to be able to host physical expos this year, where pandemic protocols will remain in place.”
Eskom Development Foundation Chief Executive Officer Cecil Ramonotsi said: “As the funder of Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, the biggest science fair on the African continent, moulding young scientists, especially previously disadvantaged learners and girls, remains vital in readying them to fulfil essential roles in the various fields of science.
“The regional science expos not only provide opportunities to celebrate our future scientists and showcase their talent, but also to inspire more young learners to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Nthato Minyuku, Eskom Group Executive: Government and Regulatory Affairs, said: “Eskom Expo has for more than 40 years sought to cultivate an interest in the sciences in young people, and was able to provide a platform for future young scientists and engineers to be developed from school level.”
With about 400 projects to be showcased in the province this year, young scientists will compete for a much sought-after opportunity to represent their regions and province at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF), which will be held virtually in October.
At the prestigious ISF 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.
For dates and venues of each of the regional expos around South Africa and further operational information, please visit www.exposcience.co.za.
