LAST week, pupils from around Buffalo City Metro (BCM) schools gathered at Buffalo City College (BCC) for the annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists’ regional finals.
More than 65 pupils from Grade 6 to 12 presented 45 projects to judges at the event.
Pupils competed for a chance to represent East London at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair held annually at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg.
They also stand a chance of winning coveted prizes such as bursaries and scholarships, mobile science kits and even the chance to represent South Africa at other prestigious international science fairs.
Regional Science Fair director Charlie Caleni said they were grateful to Eskom for creating a platform such as this for young scientists.
“They come up with new ideas and that is great to see because if we start to develop our kids from an early age, imagine what they will be capable of doing after they complete matric,” he said. “We encourage all schools, poor or not, to take part.
“You should see their faces when they go to represent in Boksburg, it is such an achievement because you witness determination and enthusiasm which we encourage.
“This increases their knowledge about science and that is our aim,” Caleni said.
Kamvalethu Xaxa, a Grade 10 pupil at Eric Mtonga High School in Mdantsane, said she enjoyed her time at the expo because she made new friends, and she looked forward to doing more practical work. “I love science,” she said.
