DURBAN - THE research and findings by Lonathemba Mazibuko from Curro Saint Dominics in Newcastle secured her an Eskom award for Best Female Project.
Mazibuko’s research project, showcased at the provincial Eskom Expo for Young Scientists that took place virtually on Friday, solved the mystery behind flooding bridges.
“Flooding of a low-level bridge is often a problem in rural areas. But there is a possible solution, constructing a multifunctional moveable bridge which moves up and down once a certain level of water is reached,” said Mazibuko.
Mazibuko’s project was one of 131 showcased at the event.
“These projects demonstrated the kind of research approach that the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists endeavours to cultivate among pupils,” said Cecil Ramonotsi, chief executive of the Eskom Development Foundation.
The Eskom Expo strategy was to develop skills by investing in science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation at school level., he said.
Ayesha Desai, home-schooled through Impaq, took the Eskom award for best Energy Project.
Desai’s project experimented with three different types of briquettes, all based on banana peels. Their efficiency was compared to that of charcoal briquettes. The findings were that more research needed to be conducted before the use of bananas in this area was fully explored.
The Best Development Project award went to Ayathandwa Mqadi from Nombuso High School. Mqadi’s project research explored the general awareness that people may have with regards to environmental dangers, and concluded that people knew of such dangers that threatened them.
Shaylin Govender from Star College received the award for Best Innovation Project. Govender’s research focused on inventing a low-cost ventilator that would help Covid-19 patients.
“The entries reflect the issues learners grapple with, from climate change to Covid-19 to waste, and their belief that science can bring solutions,” said Nalini Dookie, provincial co-ordinator of the Eskom Expo.
Dookie said that the entry standards for this year’s expo were particularly high, and the pandemic did not get in the way of pupils wanting to be part of the Eskom Expo.
The Eskom Expo takes place in all nine provinces, and a final Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF) will be held virtually on October 8.
The ISF has drawn participants from 35 South African regions as well as participants from other African countries.
The departments of Public Enterprises, Science and Innovation, and Basic Education have endorsed this year’s awards.
The awards have been taking place for over four decades and have been given the green light by the president’s office this year.
Daily News