Developing our country’s pipeline of young researchers, scientists and engineers is fundamental to our survival in a competitive and constantly evolving global village. So says Krishnie Naidoo, Central Regional Co-ordinator for the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists 2016, who also believes professionals in these fields are critical to the nation’s economic well-being.

The Expo is a national science fair endorsed by the Departments of Basic Education, Science & Technology and Public Enterprises, and is funded by Eskom.

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Information Technology Report 2016 ranked South Africa last in mathematics and science education quality.

SA also finished close to last – 137 out of 139 countries – when looking at the overall quality of its education system.

The report ranks SA’s mathematics and science education quality lower than that of Nigeria, Mozambique and Malawi. This is the third year in a row that SA has finished last in the WEF’s mathematics and science education quality rankings.

Expo is SA’s largest science fair for school students from Grade 5 to 12, offering them a golden opportunity to showcase their innovation and ingenuity through projects about their own scientific investigations. The aim is to stimulate youth interest and participation in fields related to sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) through regional and national expositions which are hosted across 35 regions in all nine provinces.

The Central Region Expo in KwaZulu-Natal was presented in partnership with FFS Refiners, a key sponsor of the Durban event. “We are passionate about improving learner performances in science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation (STEMI). We create platforms for learners to grow in their desired fields,” said Naidoo. “Participants in the Expo are exposed to scientific investigative methods that are integrated in their project and this also equips them with problem-solving skills.

“Despite Expo being run by volunteers, there is 100 per cent commitment to developing learners and gearing them towards success. We are proud of our learners’ achievements and we wish them well in the next stage, the national finals. Roughly 550 learners from 35 regions will be selected to represent their provinces at the national competition to be held in Johannesburg at the Birchwood Conference Centre from October 4 to 7.

Successful participants are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as special awards and university bursaries in excess of R1.3 million. In addition, selected projects will qualify to participate at various International Science Fairs. The total number of learners to represent KZN at the national expo is 96. Provincial representatives at the national competition will also have the opportunity to compete with young scientists from countries across Africa and all over the world, as this event is also South Africa’s International Science Fair.

Thrilled finalist Mandisa Xaba, a Grade 9 pupil from Sakhelwe High School in Ezakheni, said: “My submission was in the ‘Energy efficiency and conservation’ category with a project titled ‘Converting carbon emissions to energy’, which is about converting carbon emissions from automobiles into useful energy.

“I gained significant exposure to practical tasks during the Expo and my scientific knowledge continues to grow. My career aspiration is to become a physicist or a medical physicist. I encourage participation in the Expo because it will open the doors of learning, thereby helping to find various ways to solve problems in South Africa and around the world.”

Grade 9 Ladysmith High School (LHS) pupil Yashoda Naidoo said: “The Expo benefited me immensely, as I won gold at the regional competition in Grade 7 and silver at the national competition. I secured gold at the regional event in Grade 8 and silver at the national event. I went on to participate at the regional expo this year and obtained a silver medal. I am delighted to be participating as a finalist in the national competition. My project was in the ‘Innovation and Technology’ category titled ‘Sustainable anaerobic digestive device to heat water’.

“The device is a bin in which you dispose waste. Bacterial decomposition takes place and within two weeks, 40 degrees of heat energy is produced. This heat energy directly heats water. The sustainable, convenient and affordable device is designed for urban and rural use.

“My goal is to pursue a career in medicine or the science field. By participating in the Expo, you will be exposed to opportunities to travel abroad and meet many professionals. The objective is to unite young minds and create unique ideas to find solutions to save the earth.”

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