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From pupils to innovators

Interesting inventions baffle judges at Innovation Competition.

Two pupils from Randburg, Teboho Gladwell and Masimbonge Tibane who attend Qedilizwe Secondary School, snapped up third place at South Africa’s Top Young Innovators function held in Sandton on 17 October.

HIP2B² is a company that equips pupils with skills that aid in solving mathematical and scientific problems through new ways of thinking, company director Cathryn Payne explained.

“The brief was for learners to propose a solution to a real problem that affected them, their family or their community. The pupils that took the first prize were Awelani Rasiuba and Fulufhelani Mashapapha from Tshivhase Secondary School in Limpopo, who designed a Pen Fan to overcome the problem of overcrowding in small classrooms. By activating the fan, attached to a functional pen, these pupils could stay cool down during lessons.” Payne mentioned that small innovations like these also add to the concentration levels of pupils at school.

“While the odds these pupils are up against every day just to successfully get through high school are staggering, it was inspiring to see how many immediately interpreted the brief and made it applicable to their own lives.”

3M is a company that manufactures adhesives, abrasives, laminates and dental products. All ten of the finalists had the opportunity to shadow and work with inventors at 3M’s manufacturing facility for an entire week.

Pupils also had the opportunity to mix with other like-minded inventors as well as present their projects and prototypes to a mentor for input.

Payne concluded, “Getting these young learners fired up about their maths, sciences and technology seriously in future is our goal, and there is no doubt that this was a eye-opener for all ten finalists, as well as the other competitors in the preceding regional rounds.”

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