Taxi strike hampers Eskom Science Fair

GEORGE NEWS - The judging of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists held in George on Saturday 5 August could not be completed as four schools, among them Jonga High in Thembalethu, were unable to attend because of the taxi industry strike.

This meant that about a third (33 out of 78) of the projects entered for the Eden and Karoo regional fair could not be judged on Saturday. The event was held at Outeniqua High School.

According to science fair spokesperson Sonet Strydom, only 68 of the 174 learners who had entered were able to attend.

Organisers therefore decided to allow the absent learners' projects to be judged online and the announcement of the medal winners will be made later in August.

The four schools that were not at the fair are Mandlenkosi High in Beaufort West (five projects), Concordia High in Knysna (seven projects), Murray High in Plettenberg High (eight projects) and Jonga High (six projects).

Lyshihano Pienaar of Aurial College in Oudtshoorn entered the chemistry and biochemistry category. He experimented with chemical mixtures that would remove the ink of a permanent marker from walls and succeeded.

She said the learners from Mandlenkosi High in Beaufort West managed to find alternative transport, but their replacement vehicle broke down on the way to George and they eventually had to turn back.

The 15 schools who were present on Saturday exhibited 45 wonderfully interesting and creative projects. Categories include engineering, social sciences, environmental studies, physics, astronomy and space studies, chemistry, biochemistry and computer sciences.

Learners from Grade 4 to 12 may compete for the chance to represent their region and province at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) which will be held in Boksburg in October.

ISF participants will compete for various prizes and scholarships as well as the chance to be selected to showcase their project on an international level.

Catherine Pretorius (left) and Zehani Lodewyk, Grade 10s at Point High School in Mossel Bay, developed a biodegradable plaster with healing properties. Both of them dream of a career in the engineering field.

Eathan Pietersen, Grade 9 learner at Aurial College in Oudtshoorn, proved with his project that humans need plants to live.

Abigail Marais, a Grade 10 learner at Point High in Mossel Bay, developed an automatic gutter cleaner using an electric remote-controlled car. Photos: Alida de Beer