Regional expo for young artists

Eskom Expo for young scientists in Mopani District Municipality held its Regional Competition at Foskor Community Hall on Friday and Saturday.

The expo offered the perfect platform for many school children to address various problems that society faces daily, for example global warming, recycling, medical, energy conservation and veterinary issues. The main focus of the Science expo was to encourage participation in science research and the sharing of scientific ideas. More than 20 schools from different municipalities participated. There were exciting and promising projects displayed during the Expo. One of the projects was a mechanical wheel changer, an invention by Ntshuxeko High School learner, Paulos Langa.

Phumzile Maake, the regional science fair representative in Mopani, said the expo is not only about competing for prizes but enforcing the importance and value of education in these learners. ‘Nelson Mandela once said “education is a powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, so take this weapon and eradicate poverty, crime and unemployment that the majority of youth are facing today,’ said Maake. She also mentioned that Eskom believes that these learners are the future leaders, engineers, surveys that South Africa awaits.

Mary Raganya, the regional science fair director, was impressed. ‘We are very proud to have such innovative minds coming from this part of the country, and we are also excited to see an increase in the interest by learners, ‘said Raganya.

The winners went home with medals and certificates. The best projects got an opportunity to compete nationally at Birchwood Hotel in Gauteng in October, where prizes like bursaries, scholarships, laptops and cash prizes are up for grabs.