Electrifying win for Cape learner at Eskom Expo

Streicher, 17, gained recognition for his project on microbial fuel cells which involved the use of bacteria to produce electricity. “I have a passion for the environment and investigating ways to produce electricity efficiently,” he comments.

At the Eskom Expo, Streicher was awarded a silver medal and named recipient of the Derek Gray Memorial Award. He received a full bursary to study towards any degree at the University of Pretoria, while Wits University and the University of Stellenbosch awarded him with bursaries worth R50,000 and R30,000 respectively. Alongside his R3,000 cash prize, he has received the opportunity to travel to Stockholm to attend The Nobel Prize, and will also be presenting his project at the Swedish International Youth Science Seminar where he’ll meet the King and Queen of Sweden.

Streicher said he would like to use his achievement to inspire learners at township-based Mt Pleasant Secondary School near Hermanus. The plan is to help the school set up structures so that it can participate in the Eskom Expo competition in future.

The Eskom Expo provides learners with the opportunity to showcase projects of their own scientific investigations, and can discuss their work with judges, teachers and students from other schools.

The Expo has been running for 36 years and 580 young scientists competed in the finals this year. At the regional level, close to 9,000 learners participated.