Zwelibanzi Young Scientists
Donation protected
WHAT IS THE ESKOM EXPO?
According to the World Economic Forum, South Africa places last out of all countries in quality of math and science education. The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists (www.exposcience.co.za) is an annual competition that combats this statistic by engaging students in math, science, and innovation. Students learn to think like professional scientists by designing and carrying out their own investigations or new inventions. The Eskom Expo lacks entrants from previously disadvantaged areas, thus the Expo organization has been pushing to increase participation.
The floor at the KwaZulu Natal Central region Eskom Expo.
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
According to the World Economic Forum, South Africa places last out of all countries in quality of math and science education. The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists (www.exposcience.co.za) is an annual competition that combats this statistic by engaging students in math, science, and innovation. Students learn to think like professional scientists by designing and carrying out their own investigations or new inventions. The Eskom Expo lacks entrants from previously disadvantaged areas, thus the Expo organization has been pushing to increase participation.
The floor at the KwaZulu Natal Central region Eskom Expo.
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Our school, Zwelibanzi High School, is located in Umlazi township near Durban. Umlazi is an under-developed area in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where black Africans were forced to live during Apartheid. Zwelibanzi is a successful school despite the challenges that plague the community. Poverty, hunger, crime, and the prevalence of diseases such as HIV/AIDS are only some of the daily struggles that our students and teachers overcome. However, there is an infectious sense of optimism, determination, and dedication that drives success against the odds.
Zwelibanzi High School administrative building. The school motto is "Live, Love, Learn".
SUCCESS AT REGIONALS
This was the first year that students from Zwelibanzi entered the Eskom Expo, and their success was unprecedented. ALL 13 students won medals, and two took home gold.
The Zwelibanzi Young Scientists pose with administrators, teachers, and mentors after presenting their projects at the morning assembly.
WHAT IS THE MONEY FOR?
We are raising money to sponsor our two gold winners, Deputy Principal Khubone, and our teacher advisor Miss Stamper to travel to the National Eskom Expo. The competition will be held from October 7-10 at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, South Africa (near Johannesburg).
A detailed breakdown of this request may be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9L_-is7tKqRNkx6WGloRG9LRVk/edit?usp=sharing
Surprise! We're going to Nationals!
Posing with our medals and Miss Stamper.
BUGS IN YOUR DRINK?
Makhosi Shange is one of the top students in grade 10. She loves Biology and aspires to be an oncologist. Makhosi investigated the growth of bacteria in common drinks. She chose this topic because she was curious about how diet affects the growth of disease-causing organisms. Her research applies to anyone who suffers from bacterial infections.
Makhosi grew bacteria in three different drink environments: tea, sugar water, and tap water. She found that bacteria grew most in the caffeine environment. Therefore, she recommends that anyone suffering from diarrhea and other bacterial infections avoid drinking coffee, tea, and caffeinated soda.
Makhosi is improving her project for Nationals by repeating her procedure using professional equipment and improved methods at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This is the first time Makhosi has ever been to a university campus or seen a scientific laboratory. She's incredibly excited to work in the lab and to look at bacteria under a microscope.
Makhosi counting bacteria colonies in the Zwelibanzi laboratory.
Makhosi ready for her interview at Regionals.
THE DRAMATIC SIDE OF DIET
In South Africa, obesity and diabetes are described as a "ticking time bomb". Nonsikelelo "Nsike" Mpungose noticed that problems with diet start at a very young age. In Umlazi, the majority of young students start their days with chips and sweets bought from informal vendors, called "Aunties", outside the school gates. This diet leads to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and stomach aches and may also contribute to health complications such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Nsike and a group of Grade 11 students traveled to a local primary school and taught a class of more than 60 sixth graders about nutrition. Nsike wrote, directed, and starred in a drama that showcased the negative health impacts of eating junk food and promoted healthy alternatives. The students loved watching the performance and learned a lot about a varied diet and the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.
After the Expo, Nsike shared her knowledge about nutrition in an interview on Zulu-language radio station Ukhozi FM. She is repeating the drama at three other primary schools and hopes to demonstrate that drama is an effective method of teaching nutrition to young people.
Nsike displays junk food at Isidingo Primary School.
Nsike was all smiles despite her nervousness at Regionals.
Zwelibanzi High School administrative building. The school motto is "Live, Love, Learn".
SUCCESS AT REGIONALS
This was the first year that students from Zwelibanzi entered the Eskom Expo, and their success was unprecedented. ALL 13 students won medals, and two took home gold.
The Zwelibanzi Young Scientists pose with administrators, teachers, and mentors after presenting their projects at the morning assembly.
WHAT IS THE MONEY FOR?
We are raising money to sponsor our two gold winners, Deputy Principal Khubone, and our teacher advisor Miss Stamper to travel to the National Eskom Expo. The competition will be held from October 7-10 at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, South Africa (near Johannesburg).
A detailed breakdown of this request may be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9L_-is7tKqRNkx6WGloRG9LRVk/edit?usp=sharing
Surprise! We're going to Nationals!
Posing with our medals and Miss Stamper.
BUGS IN YOUR DRINK?
Makhosi Shange is one of the top students in grade 10. She loves Biology and aspires to be an oncologist. Makhosi investigated the growth of bacteria in common drinks. She chose this topic because she was curious about how diet affects the growth of disease-causing organisms. Her research applies to anyone who suffers from bacterial infections.
Makhosi grew bacteria in three different drink environments: tea, sugar water, and tap water. She found that bacteria grew most in the caffeine environment. Therefore, she recommends that anyone suffering from diarrhea and other bacterial infections avoid drinking coffee, tea, and caffeinated soda.
Makhosi is improving her project for Nationals by repeating her procedure using professional equipment and improved methods at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. This is the first time Makhosi has ever been to a university campus or seen a scientific laboratory. She's incredibly excited to work in the lab and to look at bacteria under a microscope.
Makhosi counting bacteria colonies in the Zwelibanzi laboratory.
Makhosi ready for her interview at Regionals.
THE DRAMATIC SIDE OF DIET
In South Africa, obesity and diabetes are described as a "ticking time bomb". Nonsikelelo "Nsike" Mpungose noticed that problems with diet start at a very young age. In Umlazi, the majority of young students start their days with chips and sweets bought from informal vendors, called "Aunties", outside the school gates. This diet leads to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and stomach aches and may also contribute to health complications such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Nsike and a group of Grade 11 students traveled to a local primary school and taught a class of more than 60 sixth graders about nutrition. Nsike wrote, directed, and starred in a drama that showcased the negative health impacts of eating junk food and promoted healthy alternatives. The students loved watching the performance and learned a lot about a varied diet and the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.
After the Expo, Nsike shared her knowledge about nutrition in an interview on Zulu-language radio station Ukhozi FM. She is repeating the drama at three other primary schools and hopes to demonstrate that drama is an effective method of teaching nutrition to young people.
Nsike displays junk food at Isidingo Primary School.
Nsike was all smiles despite her nervousness at Regionals.
Organizer
Christina Stamper
Organizer
Burke, VA