Two Camps Bay High school learners’ unique science project will see them jetting off to the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) in Boksburg, Johannesburg, in December.
Grade 11 learners Ntando Mambukwe and Sibulele Makalima have been selected to represent the Cape Town region at the fair.
The ISF will take place from Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 December at the Birchwood Conference Centre.
At the event, learners stand a chance to win prizes and bursaries, along with scholarships and various opportunities.
Learners also stand a chance to be selected to showcase their research or innovation in an international science fair in the United States of America (USA), Asia, Europe and the rest of Africa.
The pair recently walked away with gold medals at the Cape Town Eskom Expo for Young Scientists held at Herzlia High School in Vredehoek.
They also got recognition from the University of Cape Town (UCT) Science Faculty Special Award for their entry into the engineering category (“Learners shine at the science expo”, People’s Post, 30 August 2022).
A total of 230 learners from across Cape Town gathered in August to display their innovative science, engineering and social investigations, while 82 judges, mainly teachers, specialists and scholars in the various competition categories adjudicated.
The regional expos were the first physical science fairs since 2019 and saw a significant increase in the number of projects from 1 329 in 2021 to 4 432 this year.
The learners explain that the choice of the project was based on their interest in astronomy.
Makalima says the research for their project titled “The Evolution of Radio Telescopes: The M.A.S.R.T.”, was done on the topic of radio telescopes and two prototypes.
“A final one was designed and digitally prototyped. A list of materials was compiled, which were inspired by two previously made space radio telescopes. The final design is of a radio space telescope that was compiled through the use of the two previously made space radio telescopes and our two prototypes.”
Makalima says they are elated about their achievement thus far.
“I am over the moon to be representing my school and the Cape Town region in the 2022 ISF.
“We are thankful for the opportunity the Eskom Expo for young Scientists gives to learners and last but not least, a big shout out to our teacher at Camps Bay High, for laying the foundation.”
The teen says they are looking forward to gaining more experience to further enhance their project.
“As a duo we are grateful to have reached this stage of the competition and are looking forward to working with our mentors in order to upgrade our project and to win the competition.”
Mambukwe says they have their eyes set on the big prize.
“Winning would be a big achievement on its own, but travelling to the mentioned countries would not only be a great opportunity, but also an eye-opening experience, as we would be able to make great academic connections and learn more, but also get more exposure, especially with our project.”
Mambukwe says the goal with their science project is to establish academic connections within the science field.
“To get exposure for scholarships and bursaries, and to get viable sponsorships and collaborations for the project, as we believe this could change the future of radio astronomy.”
