Nelson Mandela Bay Science & Technology Centre Celebrates Learners’ Success at Eskom Expo
Nelson Mandela Bay Science & Technology Centre Celebrates Learners’ Success at Eskom Expo
The Nelson Mandela Bay Science & Technology Centre is celebrating the outstanding achievements of local learners who shone at the Regional Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
As a proud partner of the Expo, the NMB STC plays a central role in encouraging schools and learners to take part, offering mentorship, research support, and hosting the district‑level competition. This year, 42 learners from 10 schools presented 37 projects. From this group, 19 projects advanced to the regional stage, with remarkable results.
Learners supported by the NMB STC team achieved:
9 Gold Awards
4 Silver Awards
1 Bronze Award
In addition to these medals, learners from the STC group received the following special awards:
Best Project in Earth Science – Iminathi Boyce, Grade 10, Phaphani Senior Secondary School for “The comparative efficacy of eucalyptus and black wattle biochar for grey water purification in informal settlements”
Best Project in Plant Science – Ayabonga Ndokweni, Grade 10, Phaphani Senior Secondary School, for “Quantitative analysis of the xylem suction mechanism”
Best Junior Category Project for Mathematics – Nathan Benadé, Grade 9, Daniel Pienaar High School, for “The Geometric Blueprint: Investigating the golden ratio connection between the great pyramid and the earth-moon system”
Behind these successes were the dedicated efforts of the Centre’s outreach and education team: Ms Pumza Tshebe, Ms Zingisa Gono, Ms Zanele Monki, an intern from the Human Sciences Research Council. The team provided mentorship and guidance throughout the process.
“We are incredibly proud of these learners and the hard work they put into their projects,” says Singathwa Poswa, Research, Innovation & Sustainability Manager at the STC. “Their success shows what’s possible when young people are given the tools, mentorship, and encouragement to explore STEMI subjects.”
The NMB STC exists to make science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation (STEMI) accessible and engaging for young people in Nelson Mandela Bay. By sparking curiosity and nurturing talent, the Centre helps learners see how STEMI subjects connect to real‑world challenges and opportunities.
Nurturing a love of STEMI subjects is vital for building future skills, driving innovation, and preparing young people to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. The achievements at the Eskom Expo highlight how investment in science education can translate into real impact, both for learners and for the broader community.
The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is a science fair that provides learners with an opportunity to showcase the results of their own scientific investigations. It encourages learners to identify real-world problems, conduct research, analyse data, develop innovative solutions, and effectively communicate their findings.
As part of this partnership, the Centre is responsible for promoting participation among schools and learners, providing mentorship and research support to participating learners, and hosting the district-level Expo competitions.
Iminathi Boyce, Grade 10, Phaphani Senior Secondary School, Ayabonga Ndokweni, Grade 10, Phaphani Senior Secondary School, and Nathan Benadé, Grade 9, Daniel Pienaar High School.