Eskom Expo for Young Scientists ISF
International Science Fair (ISF) attracts students from around the globe
Young scientists from around the continent and other parts of the world showed off their science research projects at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF). The three-day expo was held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Johannesburg from 4 - 6 October.
Roger O’ Callaghan (CEO Babcock International Group - Africa) presenting 1 of 3 laptops sponsored by Babcock to a deserving student at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair.
The Eskom Expo ISF is South Africa’s biggest school-level science fair, attracting participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Brazil. It provided the ideal platform for over 600 finalists to show off their science projects across 24 different categories including energy efficiency, innovation and technology, physics, astronomy and space science as well as social and psychological sciences.
The young scientists were rewarded with medals as well as special awards and prizes including bursaries, cash rewards, scientific equipment and visits to other international science fairs.
The Science fair serves as motivation for them to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) fields. Eskom aims to address the shortage of skills in science and engineering by encouraging young people to pursue careers in these fields.
“I always love coming to the Eskom Expo because it gives me a sense of what the future of our country looks like. The young scientists here are a demonstration that we as a nation can and will be a great achiever in the fields of science and technology. I was intrigued to see that all their projects seek to solve problems we are facing today and the solutions they are developing are not for their own gain but for society’s benefit.” - Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science & Technology