Wednesday, 25 September 2024: Excitement filled the air as the 44th Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) opened its doors, welcoming young scientists with an electrifying line-up of activities, including robotics and coding workshops, and riveting science shows.
The opening of the ISF saw 308 South African young scientists, along with 18 international peers representing Lesotho, India, Russia, Mexico, Turkey, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya and Ireland converge to compete at the Convention Centre at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, from 23 to 27 September 2024.
At the ISF this year, ‘Evolution’ in the Life Sciences curriculum will come alive for Grade 11 and 12 learners when they visit the Origins Centre at the University of Witwatersrand. These learners are in for a visual treat when they experience Africa’s rich heritage. The Origins Centre boasts an extensive collection of rock art, fossils, artefacts and ancient stone tools. Learners will embark on a journey of discovery on the origins of humankind in Africa. These learners are privileged to be in the presence of rocks that are millions of years old. While the senior learners are journeying back in time, the Juniors will tour the Johannesburg Zoo where they will go behind the scenes to watch how the animals are being fed and visit the enclosures to see the spectacular animals.
This week, young scientists also had an opportunity to embark on guided tours of the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre where they interacted with exciting science, technology and 4IR exhibits, as well as Museum Africa, before presenting their research projects to judges. These young scientists tackled a wide range of topics, reflecting both personal and societal challenges. These young scientists are not only addressing issues that matter to them personally, but are also working on solutions with the potential to make a meaningful impact in their schools, communities, and beyond.
Eskom Development Foundation Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mologadi Motshele, said: “As the proud funder of the Eskom Expo, we at Eskom are excited to witness the ingenuity and creativity that these young scientists will bring to this year’s event. The passion and dedication they demonstrate through their projects inspire us all, and we encourage every participating learner to embrace the valuable feedback from our esteemed judges. Engaging in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI) from an early age is key to transforming our economy and creating a better future for the country. This is visibly reflected in the high calibre of projects selected for the ISF, which showcase the exceptional problem-solving skills of our youth. We look forward to seeing the far-reaching impact these bright minds will have on our world.”
This event brings together many like-minded organisations to promote and support our future young scientists and engineers. Some of these sponsors like the University of Pretoria, Babcock and Siemens Energy are generously sponsoring 6 full bursaries for learners to pursue engineering degrees at a South African university of their choice, contingent on meeting the required criteria upon receiving their matric results. Various partial bursaries are also up for grabs. These bursaries have a total value of over R3.6 Million. Massive monetary prizes up to R75 000 cash are also up for grabs, along with laptops and tablet computers.
Eskom Expo Executive Director, Parthy Chetty said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF), a celebration of innovation, creativity, and discovery. This national initiative which is jointly supported by the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Science and Innovation, highlights the critical role of STEMI (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation) in shaping the future of South Africa. School participation is vital in fostering curiosity and problem-solving skills in young minds. By engaging learners in STEMI, we empower the next generation to become leaders, innovators, and change makers. Today’s event is not just the start to a competition; it’s an opportunity for learners to explore, experiment, and envision solutions that can transform the world. We commend every participant for their dedication and passion.”
Members of the public are invited to attend the Eskom Expo ISF and see first-hand the impressive projects that these young scientists have developed. The exhibition hall will be open to the public on Thursday, 26 September 2024 from 15:00 to 17:00 at the at the Emperors Palace Convention Centre in Kempton Park.
2024 Eskom Expo International Science Fair finalists: https://exposcience.co.za/eskom-expo-international-science-fair-isf-2024-participants/
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