GEORGE NEWS - Two of George's high school learners will take their scientific research to one of the country's biggest platforms for young scientists when they compete at the 2026 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF).
Hoërskool Outeniqua matriculant Heinrich Conradie and York High School Grade 10 learner Teagan Bothma are among the Eden Karoo finalists selected for the event, which takes place at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre from 29 September to 2 October.
Three other Southern Cape learners will also compete: Jonathan van Wyk and Nina Strydom of Punt High School in Mossel Bay, and Linathi Koyana of Murray High School in De Rust.
The ISF will bring together 316 young scientists from across South Africa, along with 24 international participants. Finalists will compete across 13 categories, with millions of rands in bursaries, cash and technology prizes and other opportunities on offer.
Heinrich does it again
Heinrich Conradie returns to the ISF after having competed with his CBRN Accessible Research Vehicle last year. His new project, Research Vehicle Graphical User Interface, falls in the computer science category and shifts the focus from the physical vehicle to the real-time software interface used by its operator.
He has incorporated artificial intelligence and data visualisation, and worked to make the interface faster and more user-friendly.
"Last year's expo experience was a major turning point for me," Heinrich said. He said presenting at national level taught him how important it is to understand his research, structure a project clearly and motivate his design choices.
Hoërskool Outeniqua matriculant Heinrich Conradie. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
Teagan's noise study
Teagan Bothma's project, the Effects of Noise on Academic Performance, Concentration and Productivity, investigates how noise during mathematics lessons affects learners' concentration and marks.
It is an idea she first considered in Grade Seven before returning to it in Grade Nine and developing the research and experiment. Teagan won gold, the social science category and best female award at the recent regional science fair in George.
She researched the topic before designing her experiment and developing a plan to collect the necessary data. Her science teacher mentored her throughout the project, while her principal gave her permission to conduct the experiments at school.
"Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching," she said.
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