Sciences begin to take root at Alex schools
Science-related subjects, often considered to be difficult and belonging to the adventurous, are beginning to take root in Alexandra school as most of them exhibited their science-related projects at the Eskom Science Expo at Wits University.
If you still subscribe to the notion that science-related subjects are difficult and only the adventurous study them, then you need to rethink this.
This notion will be dispelled if you meet the KwaBhekilanga Secondary School pair of Sthembisile Kumane and Jabulile Khumalo and their counterpart Karabo Matotota of Pholosho Junior Secondary School, both in Alexandra.
The three ‘musketeers’ exhibited their science projects at Eskom Science Expo’s Johannesburg Regional Science Expo at Wits University’s Flower Hall and if they manage to garner the nod from the judges, then they will be well on their way to the provincial stages of the competition.
If they muster enough nods again, the musketeers will progress to the national stage and thereafter they could see themselves gracing the international arena.
The pair of Sthembisile (we made a promise) and Jabulile (delight) has promised to continue with what they described as their delightful journey of excellence in the sciences regardless of the outcome of the results of this regional expo.
Sthembisile (15) and Jabulile (15) jointly exhibited their lemon battery project which generates electricity that powers lights and small appliances in a home but needs a lot of lemons to do that. But conservatively, the lemon battery can power a doorbell and charge cellphones during load-shedding.
“We both love the sciences and hence this collaboration. There is nothing that delights us than being in the thick of all things sciences, not just in our classroom but in the science laboratory as well,” Sthembisile said.
Jabulile said they beat several fellow schoolmates to be where they were today. “Funny enough, we both harbour ambitions of studying chemistry-related health sciences when we complete matric,” Jabulile said.
Karabo had a solo project of a homemade solar panel made of 15 discarded CDs, capable of powering a 12-voltage bulb for several hours, when charged by the sun.
Karabo believed there was a new generation of learners in the township who were eager to experiment. “This is fuelling a new generation of learners who love to experiment and are become more inclined to take up the sciences as part of their studies,” Karabo said.
All the expo participants from Alexandra schools are part of the Ikusasalethu Saturday School run by St Mary’s School in Waverley.
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