Bovet punches high
ALEXANDRA – Bovet learners prove status stands for nothing
Pupils at Bovet Primary school recently achieved a feat often associated with their better-resourced counterparts in private schools.
This after they scooped up bronze medals in their first attempt at the prestigious 29-year-old Eskom Expo for Young Scientists competition. With its limited facilities and subsidised by a government grant, the school is among the many in townships and rural areas said to struggle in performance, particularly in mathematics and science subjects. They shattered this myth when five of their Grade 6 and one Grade 5 learners received the awards and a commendation in the context of 200 learners from 25 schools in the Ekhurhuleni region who submitted 120 projects for adjudication.
The expo’s Raven Motsoabangwe said, “The impressive success of the five from 25 first-time, initial entrants from the school, is a testimony that one should not be judged by where they come from but what they put in.”
This said in reference to the contest which assessed their problem identification, hypothesis, analysis and solution development to local daily challenges through maths and scientific innovations.
Four of them paired, won the medals for water purification and electricity generation projects and the individual was commended for her focus on the effects of smoking on the human body. Felicity Mafokosho of the selectors, Kagiso-based NPO Tsimologo Yabotsilo Boseyameng said, “The water project team of Nhletelo Mathebula and Hope Hlungwani researched and picked tips from Rand Water on comparative water filtration through stones and cotton wool, the electricity team of Ntlhontlho Mahundla and Rotondwa Rambau experimented on power generation from potatoes, lemon, and soil. “Nkhaviso Sikhuni exposed the dangers to the body from smoking through a balloon that filtered air through water mixed with soil and mud.”
She commended the learner’s discoveries. “It’s only fair for them to participate and expose the hidden talent which often gets lost to the nation.
“Their potential will only be known when compared with that of others regardless of who they are.”
Maths, science and technology head of department Ramkelawan Aakaash commended the expo saying it was unusual for first-timers to notch medals unless their presentations were unique. “We initially thought they would only get exposure, calm the nerves for the future but, surprisingly, we outweighed the bigger guns.”
The learners, he said, researched everywhere for information, from in the school’s limited facilities and their own resources. “Now that we know it can be done, we want to encourage other local schools to participate with our pupils as peer-to-peer mentors in order to have many local children put Alex on the map.”
Upbeat Nhletelo said as part of the future generation it was his responsibility and choice to understand and help others know the world around them. “Its important to ensure that we all access clean drinking water in order to remain healthy.”
Ntlhontlho said electricity was a daily requirement for everyone. “Yet, some can’t access it and need help to acquire alternative sources which they can afford,” she said, commending the expo for the opportunity.
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