Eight talented school learners are representing SA at the prestigious annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, US.
The young scientists departed on Saturday to compete at the world's largest pre-college science fair competition, running from 8 to 13 May.
The eight are Cauldwell Brynn, Paul Stansell, Amber De Decker, Angus Thring, Nontutzeo Fuleni, Aryan Mootheeram, Maroclyn Arumugam and Lerato Metsing. The categories they will be entering include environmental sciences, innovation and technology, environmental management, physics, animal and veterinary sciences, as well as energy renewable biofuels.
At the ISEF, approximately 1 700 high school students from over 75 countries, regions and territories are awarded the opportunity to showcase their independent research and compete for about $4 million in prizes.
The South African youngsters were chosen after excelling at the 2015 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair, a platform for primary and high school learners to showcase their scientific research projects and build their passion for science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation.
A total of 573 young scientists from all over the country competed at the 2015 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair.
Their eight winning projects enabled the young scientists to be selected for the honour of representing SA on the world stage.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony on Saturday, Eskom's group executive, transmission and sustainability, Thava Govender, expressed confidence the young scientists would return with medal honours.
"In previous years, our young scientists have returned with medal honours, which demonstrates how competitive our pupils are internationally and we are looking forward to this group making us proud by returning with more honours," Govender said.
The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, which has been running for 36 years, seeks to encourage interest in the fields of science and technology, by providing learners with an opportunity to increase their awareness and knowledge of the wonders of science and broadening their scientific horizons while encouraging them to pursue careers in the sciences.
The Eskom Expo reaches over 5 000 schools and almost 100 000 learners nationally during the regional and district expos.
"The eight learners representing South Africa at the international fair are excited and looking forward to meeting like-minded learners from all over the world, and learning about their cultures and different science projects," Govender concluded.
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