Pinelands High School learners bring home top honours for food waste innovation
Two bright young minds, Christopher Collier-Reed and Adam Gibbon, both Grade 12 learners from Pinelands High School, have returned home victorious after clinching first prize at the prestigious Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition (BYSCC) in China.
Their award-winning project, “Flies to the rescue: Innovating food waste management using Black Soldier fly larvae,” stood out among top global entries, earning them the South African equivalent of a Gold medal.
Still buzzing with excitement, Collier-Reed said in a statement “the experience was beyond anything they expected”.
“Our goal was simply to reach the international level, and we weren’t expecting to win anything,” he said. “The competition was structured very differently from the Eskom Expo International Science Fair, so just participating was already an achievement. When we found out we had won the first prize, we were completely shocked and overwhelmed.”
Gibbon echoed the sentiment, describing the moment as surreal.
“Holding that Gold medal in my hands was an unforgettable moment. To any young scientists out there, never give up when things don’t go as planned. Discipline and small, consistent efforts really do make a big difference.”
Pinelands High School celebrated the incredible achievement, stating “the boys are just back from China and have done it again. We are massively proud of Chris and Adam”.
The 44th BYSCC, hosted at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, brought together some of the world’s most promising young scientific minds. Beyond presenting their work, participants got to explore landmarks like the Forbidden City, Olympic Park, and the Temple of Heaven, immersing themselves in Chinese culture and global collaboration.
Mologadi Motshele, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, praised the team’s international impact: “Congratulations to Team South Africa for making an incredible impact at BYSCC. By encouraging innovation in STEMI fields, we are preparing our youth to drive future technological advancements and national development.”
The recognition has sparked pride not only within the school community but among parents too. With registration for Eskom Expo 2025 now open, learners across the country are being encouraged to follow in the footsteps of these young innovators.
The future of South African science is looking brighter than ever and it’s powered by the passion, curiosity, and dedication of learners like Chris and Adam.
