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SUNCEP involved in international Science Fair
Author: SUNCEP / SUNSEP
Published: 16/06/2016

​The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists offers learners the opportunity to learn how to do research in a scientific way from an early age and that is why Stellenbosch University's Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) and Faculty of Science are involved in hosting a regional leg of this competition every year.

In South Africa, learners may display their research projects annually at 35 different regional competitions. At the regional exhibitions they could be chosen to participate at the South African International Science Fair. At this competition, a few of the more than 600 learners who exhibited there could also earn the chance to represent South Africa at other International Science Fairs.

Mrs Erika Hoffman, chairperson of the Stellenbosch region of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists and staff member of SUNCEP (situated within the Faculty of Education), was the leader of a South African delegation to the International Environment & Sustainability Project Olympiad (INESPO), held in Amsterdam from 29 May to 3 June.

She accompanied Amalia Geldenhuys from Vredendal and Gabriella Fedetto from Johannesburg. They were part of a group of participants from 49 different countries who exhibited 103 projects. The aim of INESPO is to draw attention to international environmental and sustainability challenges and to involve high school learners to think about these issues.

Amalia did research on the chemical properties and effectivity of biodiesel made from the oil from grape seeds and the seeds of three invasive plants, and compared it to commercial diesel. Particular combinations proved to be even better energy sources than diesel itself – excellent news in a world where fossil fuels are diminishing rapidly. Amalia won a silver medal.

Gabriella's project was on sustainable health care. She designed and built an automated medicine dispenser to give medicine for the benefit of people affected by serious illnesses, and who struggle to follow their daily dosing instructions or forget to take their medication. Gabriella won a bronze medal.

"Given that only 20% of the projects received silver medals and only 30% of them were awarded bronze medals, these are excellent achievements. These girls were exceptional ambassadors for our country on more than one level," said Hoffman.

"I am positive about the future of this country if I look the quality of research that is done by these youngsters."

Dr Trevor van Louw, Director of SUNCEP, congratulated Mrs Hoffman and the learners on their excellent achievements.

"SUNCEP is proud to be associated with the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists programme and excited about the opportunities it offers young South Africans. It encourages learners to apply their natural inquisitiveness and it gives them a platform to share their findings with others," he added.

At a friendly LEGO League competition amongst eight countries, the South African team tied with Slovenia in the first place. They had to build and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology and then competed on a table-top playing field.