Learners show good form at Science Expo
2010-09-02
Engela Duvenage
A STUDENT of Bridge House, Daniel Pretorius, will ensure that Drakenstein’s scientific colours fly high at the upcoming National Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in Pretoria. During the award ceremony following last week’s 11th annual regional Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in Stellenbosch, Daniel’s environmental science project was chosen as part of a group of twenty projects by learners from the Boland, Overberg, West Coast and Central Karoo to represent the Stellenbosch region at the national competition in October. The Expo for Young Scientists is an internationally recognised organisation that encourages learners to do research. The learners are given an opportunity to identify problems, formulate hypotheses, collect and analyse data, draw conclusions and communicate their findings effectively to other people. The regional event was presented by the Faculty of Science of Stellenbosch University and the Institute for Mathematics and Science Teaching (IMSTUS) in the Faculty of Education to promote science in schools, encourage critical thinking and help learners to approach problems or questions in a systematic, scientific manner. Various SU academics and postgraduate students were among the judges. The scientific endeavours of 340 children from 38 schools in the Stellenbosch were exhibited during the two-day event, and included entries from learners from Paulus Joubert Secondary, William Lloyd Primary, Noorder Paarl High, Ebenezer Primary, Klein Nederburg Secondary, Bridge House and New Orleans Secondary. A good standard of work was seen, and more than half of the projects received medals. In total, 27 gold medals, 36 silver and 47 bronze medals were awarded, together with various special prizes in the 25 categories in which learners could enter. Daniel was among the local medal winners, and received a gold medal for his project that tested which indigenous trees absorb the most carbon dioxide per litre water that is used. Other medal winners from Bridge House include Magdaleen du Toit (gold), Marcella Lupini (silver), Jodie Cuyler (silver), Matthew van Marken (bronze), Andrew Flanagan (bronze), and Georgina Visser (bronze). The team of Annique Leibrandt and Michelle Mentoor of New Orleans Secondary won a bronze medal for their entry in the environmental sciences section.
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