Wandile the Wiz kid makes it big in the Big apple
The stars are the limit for 17 year old Wandile Khumalo , a Dundonian who scooped up silver at the Eskom Expo for young scientists and was whisked away to the Big Apple.
The stars are the limit for 17 year old Wandile Khumalo , a Dundonian who scooped up silver at the Eskom Expo for young scientists and was whisked away to the Big Apple.
The Eskom Expo for young scientists is an exposition or science fair where students are given a chance to show others their projects and scientific investigations.
Wandile a keen science fan, joined the Expo at the tender age of 13 in 2010 and has since taken the world of science by storm. In 2011 a mere year later Wandile invented his first project a “Trip switch” for plug outlets.This project wowed the judges and won him his first bronze medal.
Armed with his bronze medal and a new idea Wandile pushed forth and decided this was ‘just the beginning’ of his science career. Months past with Wandile hard at work and soon he developed a new idea,the development of a “Unique safety device for electrical stoves”. “This stove is able to detect when oil has reached boiling point and is seconds away from becoming a fire” said Wandile proudly. He also added that ” This inexpensive device prevents fires by cutting of electricity to the stove, and by alerting the user.”
This spells good news to Dundonians and can prove to eliminate the recent surge of shack fires much to the joy of residents. This project once again wowed the judges and he was chosento represent Eskom,at international level during the Genius Olympiad. This news rendered Wandile speechless and put a new motto of hard work in his head.
Wandile claimed “extensive work was put into perfecting his stove and managing and excelling at school”. After months of planning, Wandile boarded the flight to New York on June 15.
Deep dish pizza
His trip spanned till June 22, during which time he toured New York and Washington DC and competed in the science competition held at Oswego state university of New York. Wandile had a birds eye view of the White House and visited the Holocaust Museum and Smithsonian space museum in Washington. He also visited China town and Little Italy in New York,here he drank coconut water (a drink that made his stomach squeal with disgust) and ate Deep dish pizza.
Wandile describes his experience as ‘unbelievable’ and stated “This was not how I imagined it,it was far better.” Wandile hopes to one day study Mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in New York and hopes to continue inventing invaluable innovations. Wandile concluded his visit to the courier with a message;”What is science?, not complex things you read in books but the basis of everyday life, from eating to sleeping. People should see the fun in science and join the Expo” Wandile also extended his heartiest gratitude to Mr Nortjie, Mrs Haschke, Principle Haschke, Dundee Baptist church, his mother and the following businesses: Dr S Dlamini, Mr Baker and Mr Laloo.
