Eight learners from Stellenbosch schools are among the hundreds of bright young minds from 35 regions across South Africa and various other countries set to participate in this year’s Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF) for an opportunity to achieve top recognition and win life-changing prizes.
From Monday 23 to Friday 27 September, a total of 308 local young scientists and nine international participants from Lesotho, India, Russia and Mexico will showcase their research and engineering projects at the Emperors Palace Convention Centre in Kempton Park. Additionally, nine young scientists from Turkey, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya and Ireland will have an opportunity to take part virtually.
The participating learners from Stellenbosch are Paul Roos Gymnasium learners Warwick Toop, Luke Addison, Luca Blignaut and Albertus Willem van Niekerk, Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof learners Célina Quinot, Mija Kalp, and Anja de Villiers, and Anine Kleinschmidt from Hoërskool Stellenbosch.
Said Parthy Chetty, Eskom Expo executive director: “The journey to the Eskom Expo ISF began early in the year with workshops in each of the nine provinces, followed by research and innovation camps, district expos, and regional science fairs.
“We are thrilled to acknowledge the significant growth in the number of girls pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (Stemi) education. This positive trend marks an exciting shift towards a more inclusive future in these vital fields, where innovation and progress know no gender.”
The event brings together many like-minded organisations to promote and support future young scientists and engineers. Some of these 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 from Wits University and Alfeco Foundation are also up for grabs. These bursaries have a total value of over R3,7 million.
There are also monetary prizes up for grabs, along with laptops and tablet computers.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the exceptional finalists who have reached the international finals from the 14 500 participants nationally,” Chetty added.
“Eskom Expo remains committed to supporting and encouraging the uptake of Stemi fields of study, ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
