SECUNDA – Sasol’s flagship, Osizweni Science Centre, flew the South African flag when it presented and exhibited at the Super Science High School 2015 at Intex Osaka in Japan earlier this month.
South Africa participated in the international science exhibition that was organised by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) for the first time during the week of 3 to 7 August.
This was fitting since South Africa celebrated National Science Week during the same week.
The Super Science High School, Japan’s Super Science Fair, aims at encouraging students’ aspirations and imbue them with a positive attitude towards science, while helping them develop their individuality and scholastic prowess.
Four pupils from the Govan Mbeki Municipal area, namely Sphesihle Mavuso, Robinhood Takura, Zirk du Preez and Johan Venter, were selected to represent the country.
Their research projects focused on power generation by using organic waste.
Takura and Mavuso are Grade 12 pupils from Kiriyatswane Secondary School in eMbalenhle and enrolled in the Osizweni Project A programme.
Their research topic was generating electricity from organic waste water.
These pupils are currently achieving distinctions in mathematics and science, and there is an expectation that with the support given to them by the Osizweni Science Centre, they will maintain this performance during the 2015 Grade 12 final examinations.
Du Preez and Venter’s presentation was titled Recycled Products Capture Waste Energy.
They are Grade 9 pupils from Hoërskool Secunda.
Sasol’s commitment to education steered the positive change in the communities around its operations with the establishment of Osizweni Education and Development Centre.
The centre provides training and learning support in mathematics and science for educators and pupils of all ages.
There are numerous other initiatives that Sasol embarks on to support education, for instance science laboratories were recently donated to improve mathematics and science at under-resourced schools in Mpumalanga classrooms, facilitation of matriculation revision, and developing mathematical and life skills through chess.
The Osizweni Science Centre is grateful to the Japan Science and Technology Agency for covering the full costs of the four days’ stay in Japan for the pupils and their leader, Dr Sello Rapule, education and learning manager from the centre.
The delegation was treated to a tour of research and development facilities near Kyoto and returned to South Africa on Saturday, 8 August.
“These kinds of projects done by pupils give hope for the future of science research in our education system and will benefit the country at large.
“Such talent has to be nurtured,” said Dr Rapule.
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