Two East London pupils, whose idea of creating a solar-powered umbrella to tackle electricity issues for shack dwellers, has won a spot in the national Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
Luvo Hlazo and Siphelele Johannes, in Grade 11 pupils at the Advance for Life Christian Academy in Wilsonia, participated in the regional expo last Friday where their “solambrella” won the best development project award.
The duo join seven other pupils who will represent East London at the nationals in October.
Other schools with pupils participating include Clarendon Girls High School, Sandisiwe High School, Richard Varha High School, Merrifield College and Stutterheim High School.
Luvo said the solambrella provided shade during the day and light and heat at night.
“A lot of shack dwellers are losing their lives or their belongings to shack fires caused by either candles or paraffin lamps.
“We wanted to provide light and heat in a way that reduces the risk of disaster,” Luvo said.
He said for the nationals they would present the same project but with a few modifications.
Siphelele said the expo “enriches our minds and encourages us to bring our ideas to life”.
He said they were confident going into the nationals.
“This is something that affects many people in our society, and it is an environmentally friendly project.”
Mfundo Madolo, the provincial coordinator of the expo, said the “solambrella” was an impressive and innovative idea, especially for Grade 11 pupils.
“Their project seeks to solve a problem that affects a lot of people living in disadvantaged communities in that it seeks to provide a safer and cheaper alternative for heat and electricity,” he said.
The Eastern Cape would be represented by 55 pupils altogether, with regionals in Port Elizabeth and Mthatha still to take place.
The nationals take place from October 6-9 in Johannesburg. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Solar umbrella takes pupils to science expo nationals
Luvo Hlazo and Siphelele Johannes, in Grade 11 pupils at the Advance for Life Christian Academy in Wilsonia, participated in the regional expo last Friday where their “solambrella” won the best development project award.
The duo join seven other pupils who will represent East London at the nationals in October.
Other schools with pupils participating include Clarendon Girls High School, Sandisiwe High School, Richard Varha High School, Merrifield College and Stutterheim High School.
Luvo said the solambrella provided shade during the day and light and heat at night.
“A lot of shack dwellers are losing their lives or their belongings to shack fires caused by either candles or paraffin lamps.
“We wanted to provide light and heat in a way that reduces the risk of disaster,” Luvo said.
He said for the nationals they would present the same project but with a few modifications.
Siphelele said the expo “enriches our minds and encourages us to bring our ideas to life”.
He said they were confident going into the nationals.
“This is something that affects many people in our society, and it is an environmentally friendly project.”
Mfundo Madolo, the provincial coordinator of the expo, said the “solambrella” was an impressive and innovative idea, especially for Grade 11 pupils.
“Their project seeks to solve a problem that affects a lot of people living in disadvantaged communities in that it seeks to provide a safer and cheaper alternative for heat and electricity,” he said.
The Eastern Cape would be represented by 55 pupils altogether, with regionals in Port Elizabeth and Mthatha still to take place.
The nationals take place from October 6-9 in Johannesburg. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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