GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Grade 11 learner Jaco Jacobs of Outeniqua High School in George brought home a gold medal among his many prizes for his phenomenal science project at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF). Jaco's project, titled Automated Inflation and Pressure Regulation for Recreational and Professional Cyclists, impressed judges of this prestigious event held from 7 to 9 December at Birchwood Hotel's OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg.
Two other young scientists from the Southern Cape excelled at the science fair and received silver medals for their hard work.
They are the Grade 9 learner Abrie van As of Oakdale Agricultural School in Riversdale (project title: Akkerchar - an alternative source for Biochar) and another Grade 9 learner, Abigail Marais of Point High in Mossel Bay (project title: Gutter cleaner).
"The ISF was a special event where I could not only exhibit and talk about my project, but I could also learn a lot from others," said Jaco.
"The activities and excursions also made it an unforgettable experience." Jaco's prizes include a laptop; work-based exposure during a school holiday and a licence ticket to use robot simulation software and eLearning valued at R17 000; one week boot camp valued at R500 000 for innovators and access to funding from Technology Innovation Agency valued at R260 000 per project.
Jaco Jacobs (Outeniqua High), Abigail Marais (Point High) and Abrie van As (Oakdale Agricultural School).
Among the best
A total of 253 of South Africa's top researchers and innovators competed alongside 17 international young scientists from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mexico, Mozambique, Turkey and Zimbabwe at the science fair.
The title sponsor, Eskom, actively invested in the country's youth by sponsoring 27 full-time bursaries for recipients to study electrical engineering at a South African university of their choice.
These bursaries will be awarded to the learners provided they meet the required criteria when they receive their matric results.
Jaco Jacobs of Outeniqua High School.
Top prizes
The top senior Eskom Expo ISF scientist, winning a R75 000 cash prize, is Yu Tang Shan of St John's College in Johannesburg, for the research project entitled "SMARter: Soil Moisture Artificially Intelligent". The top junior Eskom Expo scientist, winning a R50 000 cash prize is Minje le Roux of Durbanville Primary School in Cape Town, for the research project entitled "Tricky Traffic".
Brandon de Greef of Crawford International Ruimsig in Johannesburg was awarded the prestigious University of Pretoria/Dr Derek Gray Memorial Award for the research project entitled "Powdered insulators for high voltage applications".
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.
Abigail Marais of Point High in Mossel Bay.
Abrie van As of Oakdale Agricultural School.
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