SAEON Elwandle learners scoop awards at Regional Eskom Expo

As part of SAEON’s outreach activities, the Elwandle Node co-ordinated workshops for fifteen learners in grades nine to eleven, who named themselves the "Sci-Expo Stars".

The aim was to assist the learners with their science expo projects by giving developmental feedback. Dr Ken Ngcoza of Rhodes University, Mrs Kuhlane of Ntaba Maria School, Mr Mush of the Seventh Day Adventists School and SAEON’s Mrs Nozi Hambaze worked tirelessly on weekends and during school holidays to support these learners.

The library facility of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), the host of the SAEON Elwandle Node, was made available for the learners to work on their projects.

Gold medal

A total of 123 projects were entered into the regional Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. Ntsikelelo Charles, a grade 11 learner at Ntsika Senior Secondary School won a gold medal for his project, which investigated recycled water for crop irrigation. He also won two further awards - the Eskom Expo’s Best Project by a Development Participant and the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Southern Africa’s Best Development Project.

Charles is among the top five learners who secured bursaries to study science at Rhodes University, which will cover their first year tuition. "My dream is to study Pharmacy and I am overjoyed because I feel that I am one step closer to achieving my dream," he said.

Sophakama Zabo of Nombulelo High School won a special award for Best Environmental Monitoring Project, sponsored by SAEON’s Elwandle Node. Ntsikelelo Charles won the Eskom Expo’s Best Project by a Development Participant and the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Southern Africa’s Best Development Project.

Best Environmental Monitoring Project

The Elwandle Node sponsored a special award for the Best Environmental Monitoring Project, which went to Sophakama Zabo of Nombulelo High School. Sophakama and two other SAEON kids, Ekhona Ntloko and Sisipho Ndibaza received bronze medals in the overall Expo.

Ntsikelelo Charles and Sophakama Zabo are among the 14 learners who will represent the Grahamstown Region at the National Finals of the Eskom Expo in Gauteng in September.

A winning team. From left: Sophakama Zabo, Mrs Z.Khuhlane of Ntaba Maria School, Nozi Hambaze of the SAEON Elwandle Node, Dr Ken Ngcoza of Rhodes University, Ntsikelelo Charles and Wendina Kahenge, M.Ed. candidate at Rhodes University.