eMBALENHLE – About 15 schools competed in this year’s Annual Mpumalanga Highveld Regional MinQuiz Olympiad at the Osizweni Science Centre on 19 May.
Osizweni Education and Development Centre has been hosting this event since 2010.
The MinQuiz seeks to stimulate interest in careers involving science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI), especially in minerals and metallurgy, as well as to promote an awareness of the importance of minerals and metallurgy to South Africa.
The event is also used as an opportunity to inform pupils about the various opportunities and bursaries offered by Mintek, while representatives of Mintek and Osizweni Education and Development Centre motivate pupils through inspiring addresses.
Ms Angela Stratford, Osizweni’s marketing and PR practitioner, said each school entered a team of three Grade 12 top mathematics and science pupils.
Pupils competed individually through a written test, while the top five schools in each category, gold and platinum, progressed to the oral round of the quiz based on the teams’ aggregate written test score.
This year’s platinum category winners, are Kiriyatswane Secondary School.
Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School came second and Thistle Grove Combined School third.
In the gold category, Ermelo Combined School were the victors, with Kriel High School in second place and Ikhethelo Secondary School third.
The two pupils from each category who achieved the highest results in the written test ,will represent Osizweni at the National MinQuiz Olympiad to be hosted on 18 and 19 July.
This year‘s team is Tshepo Nkambule from Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School), NompumeleloNkabinde from Thistle Grove Combined School), Thulsie Mahesh from Ermelo Combined School and Thabo Molakeng from Kusasalethu Comprehensive School.
“It has been a privilege to host this event in partnership with Mintek for a number of years. The region’s top pupils engaged in healthy competition and networking under the theme of mathematics and science. Education is the foundation for a bright future and through such competitions, we hope to inspire pupils to contribute positively towards innovation and the world of science,” said Ms Ford.
Osizweni is a Sasol initiative that aims at supporting and uplifting mathematics and science education.
For more information, visit the website www.osizweni.org.za, contact 017 689 2005/6 or email info@osizweni.org.za.
