The Sunday Mail
Dr C. Rayo
Queen Elizabeth School Head
WHAT appeared to be some kind of fun and waste of time in many people’s perceptions proved to be a worthwhile exercise and project for the country.
Rondel Wine, Rashida Abdul, Audrey Vengesai, Shiela Muganyi, Mr K. Chikundi, Kudzai Chabara, Peculiar Mandota, Ashley Post
The Zimbabwe Science Fair was initiated and founded by Mr Knowledge Chikundi, a young, energetic, industrious and genius student from the University of Zimbabwe. His prime objective was to cascade knowledge, excitement and instill interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects not only to renowned schools but also disadvantaged students through emphasis on hands on, enquiry-based learning activities as well as participation in STEM related competitions.
He further yearned to provide an international forum for Zimbabwean students to showcase their innovations, inventions and research works. To attain his main goal, Mr K. Chikundi affiliated with ESKOM Expo For Young Scientists, Africa’s major Science Fair and Exhibition. The said Fair attracts genius minds to race for prestigious awards and selection to represent Africa at the Intel International Science Fair, (the biggest world-wide Science Fair) in the United States of Africa.
Queen Elizabeth High School’s (7)
seven Science ladies, having been assisted, motivated and guided by Mr Chikundi, were selected to represent Zimbabwe at the first International Science Fair held in Pretoria, South Africa in August 2015.
A total of 400 projects from South African High schools were exhibited. The adjudication, whose assessment hinged on oral presentation, written communication, originality and creativity of each project, pegged Zimbabwe’s Queen Elizabeth High School’s results as shown below.
In the 2nd segment of the Eskom Expo International Science Fair, Zimbabwe was requested to submit only two projects. The total number of projects at the Eskom was 574. Apart from our own country, Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, Thailand, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa participated.
Despite the stiff competition, one of Zimbabwe’s projects by Kudzai Chabara, won the Highly Commended Project Award. It should be realized, too, that Mr K. Chikundi was instrumental and played a critical and pivotal role in assisting Kudzai. Her project, an ash powered refrigerator will join 10 other projects from South Africa and Namibia to represent Africa continent in the United States of America in 2016.
The Head of Queen Elizabeth High, Dr C. Rayo, sincerely registers her profound appreciation to both Mr K. Chikundi and the Young Scientists for the sterling experiments they undertook which deservedly left a tint on Zimbabwe, Africa and the world.
It is my strong conviction that when they go to America, they will continue to keep Zimbabwe’s flag hoisted and impact Africa on the world. Many thanks also go to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr L. Dokora and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr S. Utete-Masango, for the unwavering support rendered in promoting Science and Technology in schools.
Students, YOU CAN SEND YOUR ARTICLES THROUGH E-MAIL, FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP or TEXT Just app Charles Mushinga on 0772936678 or send your articles, pictures, poetry, art . . . to Charles Mushinga at [email protected] or [email protected] or follow Charles Mushinga on Facebook or @charlesmushinga on Twitter. You can also post articles to The Sunday Mail Bridge, PO Box 396, Harare or call 0772936678.
