eNews
#01 2024
NRF-SAEON supports young scientists at Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair
By Sentekile Hlengwa, DSI-HSRC Intern @ Elwandle and Caitlin Ransom, SAEON Science Engagement
The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair took place in Boksburg, Gauteng, in October 2023. The Eskom Expo continues to be a breeding ground for academic curiosity, creativity and scientific ingenuity. Learners from various schools from South Africa, Africa and across the globe brought forth a diverse range of projects that addressed real-world challenges, reflecting the Expo’s commitment to nurturing solutions for a sustainable future.
The Expo platform acted as a catalyst for these young scientists to not only showcase their projects but also to engage with experts in their respective fields. Industry professionals and seasoned scientists provided invaluable feedback, encouraging the participants to refine their ideas and take their projects to new heights.
NRF-SAEON special awards
NRF-SAEON once again sponsored special awards for the 2023 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair. Its Science Engagement team carefully examined various projects relevant to the vision and goals of SAEON. Through meticulous selection, the top projects focused on environmental research for a sustainable society were awarded.
Darren Cheng receives his special award from Noziphiwo Hambaze of NRF-SAEON’s Science Engagement team for his project titled “Will your straw harm sea turtles? Mine won’t”.
Micha Booysen received a special award for her project in which she compared the ability of three different succulents to take up carbon dioxide, titled “Can we reduce the deadly gas?”
The three winners in their respective age categories were Darren Chen, a grade 7 learner from Ladybrand Primary School in Bethlehem; Micha Booysen, a grade 10 learner from Paterson High School in Gqeberha; and Alutha Botha, a grade 11 learner from Nombulelo Secondary School in Makhanda.
Darren demonstrated a remarkable application of the scientific method in his investigation of how to create the best paper straw in his project titled “Will your straw harm sea turtles? Mine won’t”. Micha compared the ability of three different succulents to take up carbon dioxide in her project titled “Can we reduce the deadly gas?”
Alutha’s project was “Exploring habitat use by juvenile fishes using remote underwater videos”. He investigated which habitats (inside and outside the bay) are important to the juvenile fishes of Algoa Bay and if there were seasonal changes.
A project in which A|utha Botha investigated which habitats are important to the juvenile fishes of Algoa Bay earned him a special NRF-SAEON award.
The winners with the NRF-SAEON Science Engagement team. From left: Caitlin Ransom, Darren Cheng, Noziphiwo Hambaze, Micha Booysen, Alutha Botha and Sentekile Hlengwa.
These outstanding projects all resonated with the work that NRF-SAEON is doing. SAEON will continue to support the upcoming generation, our future scientists, for the excellent work they do, for so long as the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for the future.
The projects presented not only showcase the talent of the youth but also underscore the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and critical thinking.
SAEON eNews is the bimonthly online newsletter of the South African Environmental Observation Network.
SAEON is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF).
SAEON serves as a national platform for detecting, translating and predicting environmental change through scientifically designed observation systems and research.