Latest news with #EskomExpoforYoungScientists


The Citizen
3 days ago
- Science
- The Citizen
Eskom Expo empowers future scientists through regional science fairs across South Africa
The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists will soon host a series of regional science fairs in 35 regions across South Africa. Learners will have the opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas, scientific research, and problem-solving skills on a competitive platform. Participants have been pre-selected after taking part in various expo activities, including workshops designed to elevate scientific skills, as well as mandatory district expos where young scientists received expert guidance and insights into conducting impactful research investigations. This year, more than 17 500 learners presented their research projects. Mologadi Motshele, who is the acting chief executive officer for the Eskom Development Foundation, said Eskom perceives the importance of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation (STEMI) as a strategic enabler of South Africa's growth, innovation capacity, and long-term sustainability. 'By cultivating interest and excellence in STEMI from an early age, the Eskom Expo not only develops individual potential but also contributes to the broader goals of economic growth, innovation, and social equity. 'These young scientists are the future problem-solvers who will address the challenges of energy, climate change, healthcare, food security, and digital transformation. 'Our ongoing support of the Eskom Expo reflects our belief that investing in young minds today ensures a sustainable, skills-driven South Africa tomorrow,' said Motshele. Learners taking part in the science fairs will enjoy the opportunity to engage with other learners, educators, and professionals from various STEMI fields. These interactions are designed to build their critical thinking and research skills while enhancing their communication and presentation abilities. In addition to showcasing their research, young scientists will stand a chance to win a range of prestigious awards, including prizes for the best female project, best innovation project, best energy project, and best development project. Eskom Expo executive director, Parthy Chetty, said: 'The Eskom Expo is South Africa's only national initiative that aims to grow future scientists and engineers for our country. 'These regional science fairs are the first step to our young scientists engaging with professionals in a meaningful way, which will further develop their research ideas and innovations. We wish them well in the judging process and urge them to continue refining their projects.' More than 6 000 projects are set to be showcased across the country this year. Young scientists will compete for the highly coveted opportunity to represent their regions and provinces at the prestigious Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) at the Emperors Palace Conference Centre in Kempton Park from October 6 to 10. ISF participants will compete for prizes, bursaries, opportunities, and a chance to be selected to showcase their projects at international science fairs in the United States of America, Asia, Europe, and the rest of Africa. Prospective judges are encouraged to apply to judge at an upcoming regional science fair to gain experience in evaluating research projects at the Eskom Expo ISF. Professionals such as engineers, doctors, veterinarians, teachers, lecturers, researchers, scientists, and IT professionals are being sought. Educators can earn SACE Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, while scientists registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions can earn continuing professional development points. Other professionals can obtain credit through their respective professional bodies. Visit to apply. The regional science fair will take place on July 26 at the Sasol Training Centre, Ukhozi Lodge Hall. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The Citizen
7 days ago
- Science
- The Citizen
The Nizamiye Primary and High School Annual Science Expo produces future scientists
Nizamiye Primary and High School recently held a science expo, where learners had a chance to showcase projects based on their scientific investigations. Principal Huseyin Gencel said this year's event was a huge success, with 160 projects exhibited. Grade 4 to 10 learners presented tasks and experiments that ranged from mathematics to solutions for a sustainable future, while Grade 11 learners participated as volunteers. 'This event aims to get our learners excited about science, by making it a fun subject where learners get to create a practical experiment of what they learnt in class.' Also read: Nizamiye Primary and High School Grade 10 learner plans on international recognition He said the external judges, comprising scientists, engineers, and medical technologists, were incredibly impressed with the standard and quality of the presentations. '16 projects were selected for entry into the prestigious Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, set to take place between July and August this year. The quality of the presentations is a testament to the hard work and motivation of our learners and teachers. Preparations are already underway for the Eskom Science Expo, taking place in July and August.' He said Nizamiye has been holding the science expo annually for more than ten years, except for the two years that Covid-19 disrupted their schooling calendar. Gencel concluded that the staff, management, parents, and learners were incredibly proud of the achievements of, not only those who were placed, but of all the participants. The competition and camaraderie pushed all learners to do better than their best. Also read: Crowthorne's Midland International School brings together fathers and children for Father's Day activities Grade 10 learner Rahime Sugranur Kublay, whose project scored an impressive 99%, focused on eco-brick, recycled plastic, mixed with sand, nutshells, and eggshells. 'I struggled with proper moulding, to give the bricks a proper shape, and laboratory conditions, which could have served as a better working environment and safety. I was happy with the time given to us, and I had a great presentation as well. What I did to give my bricks a proper, rectangular shape, was I used a non-flammable, ceramic, flat surface to shape them by hand with the help of my dad.' Rahime will be one of the young scientists representing the school at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists competition. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

IOL News
12-05-2025
- Science
- IOL News
From Khayelitsha to flying South African flag high at global science fair
Salusiwe Mxayiya from Luhlaza High School in Khayelitsha is representing South Africa at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Image: Supplied Salusiwe Mxayiya from Luhlaza High School in Khayelitsha along with three other exceptional young innovators from Johannesburg are flying the South African flag high in Columbus, Ohio, at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists winners are representing the country at Regeneron ISEF 2025, the world's largest pre-college Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition, with four cutting-edge research projects that reflect the innovation, scientific curiosity, and global competitiveness of the country's young scientists. Regeneron ISEF 2025, takes place from May 10 to 16. This year's fair is celebrating its 75th anniversary and will feature research projects from more than 1 800 learners from nearly every state in the USA and more than 60 countries, regions and territories. Seventeen-year-old Salusiwe said representing the country at the competition was a dream come true. Her project, 'Investigating the infection rates of Hector's lantern fish by the copepod parasite and the implications for population dynamics,' offers groundbreaking insights into the population dynamics of marine species impacted by parasitic infection. Her research reveals that infected lantern fish had significantly lower body mass. The project by Salusiwe Mxayiya from Luhlaza High School in Khayelitsha, 'Investigating the infection rates of Hector's lantern fish by the copepod parasite and the implications for population dynamics,' offers groundbreaking insights into the population dynamics of marine species impacted by parasitic infection. Image: Supplied Salusiwe has been collaborating with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to advance her project. 'Being a part of a group that goes to represent South Africa in the Regeneron ISEF in the United States means that I get to be a part of something that is so significant, and I get to inspire other kids in my school and community. It is a dream come true for me and something to give pride to my country, family and school,' she said. 'I also think that it is important that people are knowledgeable about my project because parasitism is an important driver in biological communities, and being aware of its rules and impact in ecology can help us understand better and possibly mitigate any foreseeable dangers in the fish population dynamics and ecosystem. So, I am very excited to be part of this very small group and hope to represent my country to the best that I can.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Luhlaza High School principal Mutile Qezo, and the school staff expressed immense pride in Salusiwe's accomplishments, emphasising how her achievements reflect the potential of learners from low-income areas. 'We believe that she is destined for greater heights,' Qezo said. Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation, Mologadi Motshele said the Regeneron ISEF is a highly competitive science fair, renowned for showcasing cutting-edge projects. 'The inclusion of South African learners highlights the international caliber of local research. Eskom wishes the four participants the very best as they compete against top young scientists from around the world.' Cape Times