The 2024 Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) came to a close last week with the awards ceremony which saw some of the brightest young scientists receiving substantial cash prizes and other awards for their winning projects.
Top Senior Scientist, Ammarah Patel (right) and Top Junior Scientist, Naveera Chana (left), with Eskom GCE Dan Marokane.
The fair was held at the Convention Centre at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, in Gauteng, from 23 to 27 September 2024. Every year it brings together enthusiastic young scientists from schools across South Africa and various countries around the world.
Title sponsor, Eskom awarded four Special Awards of R10 000 in cash to the Best Development Project, Best Project by a girl learner, Best Energy Project and Best Innovation Project.
Winners of the Special Awards
Best Development Project: This award was presented to Salusiwe Mxayiya, a Grade 11 learner at Luhlaza High School in the Cape Town Region, for her investigation of the population dynamics and parasite infection rates of Hector’s lantern fish (Lampanyctodes hectoris) – a common species found along the west coast of South Africa. Mxayiya collected 500 samples from various locations in the Southern Benguela area. Her study highlights the negative ecological and economic impacts of the parasite, emphasising the need for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to consider reducing allowable catches to prevent further depletion of the lantern fish population.
Winners of the Special Awards: From left, Salusiwe Mxayiya, Best Development Project; Aman Pati, Best Innovation Project; and Lukusa Tshizubu, Best Energy Project; also received their awards from Dan Marokane.
Best Project by a girl learner: The judges identified two girls as winners for this award. Ammarah Patel, a Grade 10 learner from Parktown High School for Girls in the Johannesburg Region, was recognised for her project, titled ‘The Optimisation of the Physical Properties of Bioplastics,’ which was in the Environmental Studies category; and Naveera Chana, a Grade 8 learner from Cooper College in the Johannesburg Region, for her project, titled ‘Design of a Low-Cost System for Photosynthesis Measurements,’ which was in the Plant Sciences category. Both learners tied for this award due to their impressive in-depth analyses and understanding of their research subjects.
Best Innovation Project: Aman Pati, a Grade 11 learner at Kingfisher School in the Mopani Region, Limpopo, was the winner of this award. Pati’s research project, titled ‘Revolutioniser: The Sky is NOT the Limit’, focused on the high cost of rocket fuel and the harmful black carbon emissions it produces, which are detrimental to the environment and public health. Following an extensive literature review and several theoretical calculations, Pati’s ‘Revolutioniser Mechanism’ was found to reduce black carbon emissions by 1 gigagram (1 000 metric tonnes) and save 1 587 kg of fuel per launch, offering estimated cost savings of R6 million per launch.
Best Energy Project: Lukusa Tshizubu, a Grade 12 learner at Parow High School, who represented the Stellenbosch Region in the Western Cape, was the winner of this award. The judges for the Energy Category were impressed with his project titled ‘GreenHauler – Construction Debris Management Truck’. The goal of the project was to build the 'GreenHauler' truck, designed to use renewable energy and to carry out innovative on-site debris processing for efficient construction debris management. The judges found that this project expertly advances sustainable practices in the industry, highlighting the importance of investing in green technologies and paving the way for further innovations in environmentally friendly construction solutions.
The girls were also winners of the top prizes
The 2024 Top Senior Scientist, winning a R75 000 cash prize, was Ammarah Patel. In her project as noted above, ‘The Optimisation of the Physical Properties of Bioplastics,’ Patel focused on optimising bioplastics using citric-acid as a cross-linker, to remain strong at room- and freezer temperatures. The judges noted her meticulous research. She tested bioplastics made from orange and sweet potato by adding citric acid but found that it made the bioplastic weaker. Patel also found that colder conditions decreased the physical properties of all samples tested.
Naveera Chana was the 2024 Top Junior Scientist, winning a R50 000 cash prize. In her project, also noted above, ‘Design of a Low-Cost System for Photosynthesis Measurements’, Chana presented an in-depth analysis focused on finding a more cost-efficient and effective method to measure the CO2 assimilation of different plants outdoors. She tested her prototype and compared the results with a commercial system and found the results were similar. Her prototype can measure CO2 assimilation, temperature, and humidity and incorporates a mechanism to calculate the net photosynthesis. The prototype met all the required design criteria and can easily be converted to a closed system, if necessary.
More winners
Technology leaders Babcock International and Siemens Energy awarded five full bursaries worth R2.2 million (including tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meal allowances and a laptop) for winners to study towards a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at any South African university of their choice. The Babcock bursary winners were: Mbasa Hamann from Ugie High School (Mthatha Region); Diyasha Rungasami from Raisethorpe Secondary School (KZN Central Region); and Alizwa Sobuza from Port Shepstone Secondary School (Southern KZN Region). The Siemens Energy bursary winners were: Zahra Karim from Newcastle High School (Northern KZN Region) and Percy Phala from Bokamoso Secondary School (Capricorn Region).
Additionally, Siemens Pty Ltd and Siemens Energy provided other valuable prizes to previously disadvantaged schools participating at the ISF. Generous sponsors such as FFS Refiners, Ekurhuleni Drums, Trisim Logistics, NIThECS, CXI Africa and Berea Plumbers also supported students by sponsoring laptop computers and cash awards. Universities like the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria further contributed by offering academic support through bursaries and mentorship programmes.
Tahir Ousman, a Zinniaville Secondary School learner who represented the Bojanala Region, was awarded the prestigious University of Pretoria/Dr Derek Gray Memorial Award for his research project entitled: ‘Twin prime conjecture and its significance in number theory’. The award consists of the Derek Gray Gold Medal, attendance at the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar during Nobel Week, and a three-year study bursary in the sciences or engineering at the University of Pretoria, provided he meets the required criteria.
Eskom Development Foundation Acting CEO, Mologadi Motshele said, “We at Eskom are incredibly proud of the young scientists who have participated in the Eskom Expo initiative, gaining valuable knowledge, skills, and insights as they explore the dynamic fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI). We encourage other like-minded school learners to take an interest in this initiative and consider pursuing careers in STEMI fields. By doing so, they can contribute to shaping a brighter and more prosperous South Africa for future generations.”
A total of 73 Gold, 74 Silver and 103 Bronze medals were awarded at the ISF and the opportunity to represent South Africa at prominent international science fairs in Taiwan, Tunisia, China, Indonesia, the USA, and Türkiye was awarded to deserving learners with the help of various longstanding sponsors of the Eskom Expo. These winning learners will be announced in the coming months as the fairs take place.
Eskom Expo Executive Director, Parthy Chetty said, “We extend our congratulations to all the winners at the ISF for their outstanding achievements, especially the Top Junior and Top Senior Scientists for this year. Their dedication, creativity, and passion for innovation have set a remarkable standard for aspiring scientists and engineers in South Africa and beyond. Their accomplishments highlight the importance of STEMI education and inspire the next generation to push the boundaries of discovery and innovation. We are confident that their future endeavours will shape a brighter, more innovative tomorrow as they make their mark in our country.”
For the full list of 2024 Eskom Expo ISF winners, visit: www.exposcience.co.za
