KSP’s science stars shine at international festival

THREE Kloof Senior Primary School pupils were part of the lucky few chosen to represent KZN Central at the International Science Festival in Boksburg recently.

The Grade 7 pupils from the school formed part of the 26 who represented the province. Bradley Cooper, won silver, R5 000 and the Faculty of Engineering for water section third prize of R3000. His project was on the hydraulic ram pump. Leya Mohabir won bronze for examining hand-eye coordination among children playing sport, Tim Cairns achieved a highly commended award for his project, TB Transmission in Minibus Taxis – Exploring commuter perceptions and the adequacy of natural ventilation.

The school’s pupils started working on their science projects in November last year in preparation for term two in Grade 7. The school hosted an internal science expo which was won by Tim Cairns. The pupils who excelled then entered Glenwood High School’s science expo, which is also open to primary schools. Leya won gold at that expo. Nineteen science pupils took part in the Eskom/FFS regionals and the budding scientists did the school proud and brought home nine golds, six silvers, and two bronze and two highly commended awards.

Teams from throughout the world took part in the International Science Festival and more than R4-million worth of prizes were handed out.

“I think it was fantastic to be part of such a prestigious event and we are doing better and better every year and the pupils work really hard. If they do interviews, they have to do at least 100 interviews and if they grow plants, they need to grow 100. They follow the scientific methods completely. We do very well at the expos and I am very proud of them,” said Allison Lötter, the Head of Science at Kloof Senior Primary School.