Two learners participating in the Iimbovane Outreach Project were selected to present their science project at this year’s regional competition of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

Inspired by a visit to the Iimbovane ant laboratory, Romaine Nutt and Carl Beukes made ants the focus of their scientific investigation. Their project investigated the ant diversity in areas surrounding Vredendal. For the Romaine and Carl it meant hours of rigorous fieldwork to collect ants followed by the systematic identification of their samples.

The two Grade 10 learners from Vredendal Secondary School visited the Iimbovane ant laboratory in July as part of their school’s participation in the Iimbovane Outreach Project. Fascinating facts about ants sparked their interest and with help from the project team the two quickly learned the necessary skills.

The 11th annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists took place in on 26 and 27 August in Stellenbosch. The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is a science fair where learners have a chance to show their projects about their own scientific investigations. At the expo, learners discuss their work with judges, educators and learners from other schools, with parents and with other interested people.

This year’s expo showcased the projects of participants from more than 30 schools in the Boland, Overberg, West Coast and Southern Cape.