The regional Expo makes provision for learners from schools in areas as far and wide as Bellville, Paarl, Kraaifontein and Bredasdorp to exhibit their science projects for judging. Winning projects are then chosen to represent the Stellenbosch region at the national Expo, also known as the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF).

The Stellenbosch regional Expo counts among its milestones over the past 20 years (2000 to 2019) a growth in participant numbers from 143 to 467; a total of 5 503 learners and 3 298 projects participating at the regional level; an increase in the number of participating schools from 18 to 33; as well as the support of politician Helen Zille, who cut the cake at its 10th birthday bash.

This year’s regional birthday festivities included a cocktail function, entertainment from unicyclists and face painters, a special birthday cake, cupcakes for the learners, balloons, a gift for every learner and a special bottle of wine for every judge and entertainer.

Special guests included Bersan Lesch, chairperson of the board of directors of the Eskom Expo, and Krishnie Naidoo, academic director at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. The ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake was done by SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, and his wife Catherine.

Erika Hoffman, project coordinator at SUNCEP and the Expo regional coordinator in Stellenbosch, was involved in organising the first Stellenbosch regional science Expo, along with MJ Brookes (then at the Faculty of Engineering), Anneke Müller and Bets Lourens (then staff members at SU’s Institute for Mathematics and Science Teaching [IMSTUS]), and Gillian Arendse (a lecturer at the Department of Physics in 2000). SU staff members were involved as judges from the beginning, giving the learners in this region the added value of their first research projects being assessed by academic experts.

“I first got involved as a teacher in Mpumalanga in the 1990s when I enrolled my learners for the Expo. After moving to the Western Cape in 2000, I started working at IMSTUS. It was a natural platform from where to offer a research-based science competition and to get teachers and their learners involved. A few of us formed the first committee and the first regional Expo in Stellenbosch was held that same year,” said Hoffman.

She considers being involved in the Stellenbosch regional Expo for 20 years a privilege and an achievement, and is especially proud of the changes participating in the programme has brought about in many learners’ lives over the years.

One of those learners is Dillon Hopley from Bredasdorp High School who participated in the 2010 Expo with his project on how to design a smokeless chimney. According to Hopley, his participation in the Expo changed his limited perceptions about science and helped him in making a career decision.

“I used my Expo opportunities to find what I am really interested in, because not only do the judges look at your work critically, they also give you advice and share their knowledge and experience in that particular field,” he said.

He ended up studying for a BEng (Mechanical) at SU and becoming a permanent member of the South African Air Force. He has also returned to serve as a judge at the Stellenbosch Expo.

Then there is Siphosethu Mbuli from Kayamandi High School, who took part in the regional as well as the national Expo in 2010, with her project that investigated whether coffee really makes one alert. Mbuli, who has albinism, received the Queen’s Young Leader Award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in 2018.

The awards celebrate “exceptional young people” aged between 18 and 29 from across the Commonwealth who are working towards lasting change in their communities. Mbuli was honoured for her work with people living with albinism, through her foundation Love, This Skin.

“That is what it is all about,” said Hoffman. “To be able to bring about change in the way children think about science and their career choices, to instil that critical, out-of-the-box thinking. That is what we want to do with this Expo – invest in learners because they are our future, they are the ones who need to come up with the solutions for the current problems in the world.”