Bronze medals for young scientists at ISF

GEORGE NEWS - Grade 10 learners Marseilles Naudé and Jaco Jacobs of Outeniqua High School scooped bronze medals in the engineering category of an International Science Fair (ISF) held by Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

In addition, Marseilles has been selected for a second interview where she stands a chance of winning a five-day virtual boot camp for innovation and entrepreneurship, to the value of R500 000, presented by the Technology Innovation Agency.

Asked how she feels about her success, Marseilles said, "Although I felt I wanted to give up, I'm glad I didn't. Never did I think I would get this far."

The ISF award ceremony took place via YouTube on a live virtual platform on 8 October, and was witnessed by 5 146 viewers. The two Georgians outdid participants from all nine provinces, as well as international candidates, to win their bronze medals.

A total of 100 projects from the Western Cape were entered for the ISF, with 132 participating learners. Naudé and Jacobs' project was among the 16 projects that competed in the engineering category.

Provincial administration assistant Sonet Strydom thanked everyone who put their time and expertise into the Provincial Virtual Expo and ISF Virtual competitions, the regional committee, Eskom, and other sponsors who are affording learners the opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas and inventions through South Africa's only science platform for learners.

"Next year we are hopeful that normality will return and we are looking to once again have hands-on interaction with all participants in 2022," said Strydom.

Jaco Jacobs