This past weekend aspiring scientists from different schools braced the cold and came out in their numbers to show off their brilliant ideas at the Eskom Expo. Bloemfontein Courant visited the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein, to speak to a few of the students who entered their projects at the expo and here is what they had to say:
A grade 7 learner, Chukwunenye Nwenyi from Sentraal Primary, said he decided to take part in the expo because he loves science and that being part of the expo teaches him that there is nothing wrong with having a curious mind.
Another Sentraal learner, Mbukeko Ramoetsana, explained that he did the expo project as it will help him gain the necessary experience in the field. “My project is about ‘Helping teenagers get enough sleep’ because in many of my classes I can see that learners do not cope because they do not rest enough,” he explained.
Flavia Parodi from Eunice High School, told Bloemfontein Courant that her group project was about turning potato starch into plastic and they decided to do this because all the group members love the environment. “If the project is a success it will really help the environment and if used hopefully then animals won’t choke on plastic,” she said.
Courtney Jones from Sentraal Primary did her project on toothpaste. She explained that she wanted to see if the new toothpastes that are meant to whiten people’s teeth, is working or not. “I did a lot of research on the topic and spoke to dentists to find out what they have to say about them.”
According to a statement, the expo will be continuing in the Free State as well as the Northern Cape with the last judging and prize-giving ceremonies of the 2019 regional science fairs taking place in Postmasburg at the Blinkklip High School and CUT in Welkom.
– Sazly Hartzenberg
sazly@centralmediagroup.co.za
