Anica Dennis of Potchefstroom Girls High School in North West Province
by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG – TWO South Africa’s finest young female scientists will compete against learners from around the world in Turkey’s most prestigious science fair for high school learners.
Anica Dennis from Potchefstroom Girls High School in North West and Kelsi Hewitt from Pietermaritzburg Girls’ School in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal are to compete in the Oğuzhan Özkaya Education – Karademir Science Energy Engineering Fair (OKSEF).
The two budding scientists will compete against learners from 25 countries at OKSEF from June 11 to 15.
They had been handpicked by judges after showcasing science projects of exceptional quality at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF) last October.
“Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is once again pleased to see young female scientists excelling in their field and being selected to represent South Africa,” said Parthy Chetty, Eskom Expo Executive Director.
“More so, they come from fairly small towns, which often don’t get the proper recognition for producing such talent. These young girls have earned their place to be on the international stage and I’m quite confident they will not only do South Africa proud, but will also undergo a life changing experience in Turkey.”
Dennis’s scientific research entails an expert system mobile app that shows the urgency of the conditions of children based on their symptoms.
Basic danger signs are identified and the urgency to get the child to a healthcare professional is expressed in three classes: high, medium, low.
Dennis, who aims to address child mortalities in rural areas, believes the lives of children can be saved if parents realise the urgency of a sick child’s condition.
Hewitt, who was inspired to find an affordable alternative to expensive chemicals used to dip livestock, investigated whether Aloe Ferox deters ticks that plagues animals on farms. The idea was to take the liquid of Aloe, as well as the dried crushed aloe, and place this in containers with ticks and monitor their movement.
Hewitt’s research found that the Aloe Ferox plant showed some signs of deterring ticks from it.
– CAJ News
