Eskom Expo supports young scientists during lockdown

The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists will continue to offer support to pupils interested in taking part in this year's science fair.

Eskom Expo provincial co-ordinator Andre Schlemmer said though all science camps had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, the regional team would make adjustments to ensure support was offered to pupils and mentors.

“In each of the four regions in the Eastern Cape, Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is committed to continuing with the high quality of work that they started.

“The one thing we can do during this time of lockdown is to communicate a message to our pupils to use this time to continue working on their projects and use the available platforms to inspire each other, share information and offer guidance where possible through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp groups and the Eskom Expo website,” Schlemmer said.

In celebrating 40 years of innovation and creativity, Schlemmer said the achievement of pupils from previously disadvantaged backgrounds in the 2019 international science fair was one of the highlights of the region, adding that cultivating whizz-kids from these areas remained a priority.

“It is important for us to keep communication lines open.

“Everything now has moved online and is internet-driven and most of the pupils have some form of connectivity, but we also need the support of the service providers, especially with data being quite expensive,” Schlemmer said.

He said registration for the regional expos would open soon, and pupils could submit their research plans for comments and suggestions.

The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists has helped offer funding for tuition, and seen pupils attain learnerships to study abroad and upgrade science labs for their schools.

Each year, the Eskom Expo exhibits more than 650 projects in the Port Elizabeth regional round.

National Eskom Expo executive director Parthy Chetty said it was inspiring to see such brilliance from young pupils in SA.

“We find ourselves in a very difficult time, whereby normal expo activities and schooling cannot take place.

“This does have a knock-on effect, whereby we will have lost productive time which could be used constructively doing expo project work,” he said.

However, to reduce the negative affect of the lockdown, Chetty said, the expo was being innovative by creating many online resources for pupils, availing staff and volunteers to assist pupils across the country, and running online training sessions for teachers and pupils by region and province.

Encouraging pupils, Chetty said: “By next week, you will be in a position to select your topic, category, and subcategory and write up your research plan.

“We hope you use this lockdown period to good advantage and get started on your expo project.

“The regional expos and International Science Fair will continue as scheduled.”