Power utility Eskom is challenging young scientists to come up with solutions to boost SA's renewable energy industry.
At this year's Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, learners presented their projects to judges at the regional science fair in Cape Town. The event was held on Friday.
This year's Eskom Expo boasted 732 entrants - a combination of individual and group projects - across 24 categories from 56 different schools, 10 of which have never participated in the Eskom Expo before.
The entrants competed for bronze, silver and gold medals, and the chance to go through to the International Science Fair in October. There were also three bursary-style prizes up for grabs, as well as prizes in each category.
Eskom says the expo exposes bright young minds looking at the world around them, asking questions about what they see and figuring out how to fix problems that we face in society - and then sharing those ideas with fellow learners and judges who have forged careers across many scientific disciplines.
Various exhibitors from organisations like the Department of Water Affairs, the University of Cape Town's (UCT's) Chemistry Department, and the Centre for High Performance Computing gave the learners a glimpse into careers in science.
Opening the Eskom Expo for primary and junior learners, professor Susan Bourne from the UCT Chemistry Department expressed how impressed she was by the quality of the learners' work.
"This year I'm delighted to see how many learners have responded to the problems that we're facing in the Cape, like the lack of water and energy. It's fantastic to see young scientists paying attention to the things that society needs."
A number of the projects focused on renewable energy, the conservation of water, as well as techniques for preventing evaporation and water wastage.
"Participating in the Eskom Expo gives you so many opportunities for your future," says regional science fair director, Olga Peel. "I mean, Mark Shuttleworth started here. As organisers of the Eskom Expo, we look forward to reading about these learners' scientific journeys for years to come."
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