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SAEON awards stimulate learner interest in Observation Science
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- By Sibongile Mokoena, SAEON Education Outreach Coordinator
For the national finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, SAEON sponsored three Special Awards in a new category we created - Best Project in Environmental Monitoring. The event took place in Pretoria towards the end of 2006 and was attended by more than a thousand learners from all over South Africa, as well as from Nigeria, Namibia, Moscow and the United States of America.
This national Expo for Young Scientists has established itself as a vehicle for South African youth to demonstrate their inventiveness and innovation in science and technology. The Patron of the Expo is Mr Mosibudi Mangena, Minister of Science and Technology. The Expo is an annual event, with two levels of elimination leading up to the national finals. Projects are entered in three age levels - Grades 5- 7, Grades 7- 8, and Grades 10-12.
SAEON Special Awards
SAEON sponsored an award in each age level in the category Environmental Science and Ecology. Of the 466 projects exhibited in the finals, 58 were in the Environmental Science and Ecology category.
Helen Williamson, a member of the SAEON Network of Education Experts, judged for the SAEON Special Awards. One of the criteria was to identify projects that show evidence of long-term monitoring and observation.
Nicholas Popich, a Grade 5 learner from Elarduspark Primary in Gauteng, won a SAEON certificate and binoculars for his winning project entitled "Raindrops against the window pane … but we are drying out!" Nicholas has recorded rainfall data in his region on his own for the past two years. For purposes of comparison, he got rainfall records for the past 30 years. His conclusion so far is that despite the heavy rains of the past summer season, it is not getting wetter on average but, in his own words, "… we are drying out". He also issued the warning that the country should brace itself for drier weather.
Chris Fielding, a Grade 8 learner from Merrifield College, Border, won a SAEON certificate, binoculars and a sleeping bag for his winning entry entitled "Save our Estuaries." Chris monitored silting in the Nahoon River mouth. His findings indicate that the silt trapping dam on the river reduces the amount of silt that reaches the river. The space in the estuary that should have been taken up by the silt is now taken up by sand. Sand is harder to dislodge than silt, thus the force needed to dislodge the sand and silt mixture in the Nahoon Estuary is greater than it would have been had the silt trapper dam not been built. He suggests that it may possible to counteract this effect by re-introducing the silt in to the river below the Nahoon Dam via a massive pump and tube. This would stop the Nahoon Dam from filling up with silt and allow the river to continue as naturally as possible.
Erika Kritzinger, a Grade 10 learner from Mclachlan High School in Port Elizabeth won a SAEON certificate, binoculars, a sleeping bag and a tent for her project on the Cape galaxias (Galaxias zebratus). This freshwater fish, which is endemic to South Africa, was discovered in 1995 in the Gamtoos and Krom rivers in the Eastern Cape. Erika has assessed levels of awareness about the Cape galaxias at her school and surrounding community. Her conclusion was: "Although the Cape galaxias is of great ecological significance it is alarming that so few people are aware of its existence. It will become extinct if we carry on destroying its habitat." Erika developed pamphlets and has taken groups from her school to the Krom River to see the Cape galaxias.
The judging for the Special Awards was done completely independently
from the judging for the overall winners of the Expo. It is significant
that the three SAEON award winners also won silver (Erika) and gold
medals (Nicholas and Chris) in the overall awards - a clear indication
that SAEON's judging standards were in line with those applied by the
other judges.
The SAEON prizes were envied by many and SAEON was commended for
bringing fresh and innovative ideas to the Science Expo.
Threshold of future possibilities
Minister Mangena spent the morning viewing the projects. In his
keynote address later in the day, he applauded the young scientists for
their ability to deliver projects in the life-preserving and
life-enhancing disciplines of science and technology. His words of
encouragement to the youth were 'Believe in yourselves! Perseverance
and an indomitable will is the recipe for success'.
He told the entrants that he was impressed by the way in which they
made mathematics, science and technology relevant, exciting and fun.
"Your originality and creativity in science and technology will
contribute towards determining the future direction for all living
things on this planet," he said.
"Put differently, the future of science and technology is in your hands. Government has identified science and technology as key to our socio-economic development. The whole world of possibilities is opening right in front of your eyes. Grasp these exciting opportunities. Continue your exploration into the wonders of maths, science and technology, as these are the tools that can truly change the world. You stand at the threshold of future possibilities. It is from you that a cure for current afflictions such as HIV and AIDS, or explorations of extra-terrestrial civilizations, is likely to come."
He also pointed out that some of the winners of the previous Eskom Expos have not only represented South Africa internationally, but have also performed well. One of the students from the 2005 Expo won the third prize in an international Expo held in Ohio, USA. "It demonstrates our ability to compete favourably in the world," he said.
The atmosphere in the exhibition hall could only be described as "awesome". It was a most rewarding experience to witness the pride and joy on the faces of the learners, teachers, parents … and on the face of Minister Mangena.
SAEON is proud to have been part of this initiative to identify, encourage and develop our scientists of the future.
