Local learners Andries Els and Christofel Barnard (both 17) from Ho"erskool Lydenburg in Mpumalanga won most innovative science project overall at the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair.
According to Eskom, the pair designed a cost- and energy-efficient cooler box and they also came second in the physics category, where they received the prize for the most innovative project.
The learners were selected from the regional Eskom Expo Science Fair in Mpumalanga as a winning project and this gave them entrance in the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) in October 2016. At the ISF, they won the international trip to Kenya, based on the quality of their project, judged by industry experts.
The Eskom Science Fair is a platform for local learners to increase their awareness and knowledge of the wonders of science and is also intended to broaden their scientific horizons and encourage them to pursue careers in the sciences by igniting a passion for innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, says Eskom.
"Eskom is a world-class energy provider and is proud to be the driving force behind the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, which provides this fantastic platform for budding young scientists to thrive. The international competitiveness of our country lies in the hands of young scientists and innovators like these two budding scientists," says Thava Govender, group executive: transmission and acting group executive sustainability and risk.
The project designed by Els and Barnard demonstrates how the thermodynamic laws influence the thermal properties of a cooler-box made from easily accessible materials such as old newspapers.
"Through an experiment using 150ml-sized ice blocks placed in one litre containers of different materials, the pair proved that using newspapers and expanded polystyrene provides the best results in constricting heat-flow to the insides of the cooler box, thereby keeping the ice cold, and conserving energy," explains Eskom.
The two learners have also been invited to participate at the Kenya Science Week in Nairobi in May 2018.
The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists sent a delegation representing SA to this prestigious science fair for the first time this year.
Now in its 37th year, the expo is endorsed by the Department of Public Enterprises, Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Basic Education and has also received recognition from the Presidency.
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