Young scientists invited to exhibit at science expo

At the expo, learners present the results of their studies in any aspect of science that is of interest to them. The results are displayed visually as a poster, together with any other material that is relevant. A panel of judges will interview each exhibitor and the best entries will be awarded medals. Every participant will receive a certificate to show that he or she has taken part in the expo. The 30 best entries will be invited to participate in a four-day science tour of places of scientific interest in KZN and Gauteng.

The closing date for acceptance of entries is 30 June 2014. Late entries will be accepted until 5 July. The 'FFS Expo for Young Scientists' takes place on 31 July and 1 August 2014 at the Conference Centre of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus at the corner of Richmond and Mariannhill Roads in Pinetown.

In addition, the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) makes an award available annually for a deserving marine science project. The award is presented for innovative research and use of good scientific method.

Says Don Cochran, a director of FFS Refiners, the main sponsor of the event, "The purpose of the expo is to provide you, the learner, with the opportunity to present a project based on scientific investigation into your interest, hobby or concern. In the process, you will learn how to apply scientific method, evaluate and interpret results and reach rationally supported conclusions. We hope that this will spark in you an interest in the sciences that will lead you to study at tertiary level, culminating in a wonderful career as a scientist."

Entries mainly take the form of results displayed as a large poster, a file containing the results and a display. There are three basic types of EXPO projects: Collections, constructions and investigations, and a broad range of categories including physics and astronomy, chemistry, botany, zoology, mathematics and statistics, marine sciences, microbiology, conservation and environmental studies, human biology and medicine, energy innovations, recycling, social sciences, electronics and robotics, and many more.

Said Professor Bice Martincigh, the chair of the organising committee, "Science can be such fun, and through this science expo we hope to stimulate interest in the process of scientific thought and to create an awareness of the intellectual pleasure and fulfilment that can be gained from carrying out an investigation through experimentation leading to an understanding of how things work or interact."

For more, go to www.ffs-refiners.com.