By Khanyisa Kanese
Haidee Thondhlana who is in Grade 10 at Kingswood College, has won herself a scholarship to Rhodes University and will go through to the Environmental Science National round. Pictures: Steven Lang
Kingswood College learner, Haidee Thondhlana, was awarded a prestigious Gold Award and Rhodes University bursary for her scientific research project in the Environmental Science field at Eskom Expo for young scientists on the 28 July.
Thondhlana, 16, is a grade 10 learner at Kingswood College majoring in Life Sciences, Chemistry and Music. She is passionate about Biology, and Chemistry and sees herself working in these fields in the future. She is one of the 19 College pupils that entered the Eskom Science expo, with many winning the awards, and she achieving first place.
She secured a Gold Award and Best Project overall for her scientific research project in the Environmental Science category titled “Spekboom Doomsday”. Kingswood College’s rising young scientist did not only receive the award, she was also recognized for Eskom Best female Award and her research project was recognized as number one in its category receiving the WESSA Sable Trophy.
Rhodes University Vice Chancellor and Haidee at Eskom expo, Saturday last weekend. Photo: Steven Lang
Haidee further received a Rhodes University bursary worth R65000 to cover her university first year fees for a career in a science related degree at Rhodes University.
Haidee is set to go through the National round of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair in Gauteng from 24 to 27 October.
“I didn’t anticipate to receive the awards, considering that it was my first-time entering Eskom Science Expo, I knew I was going to face competition from experienced people. Honestly, I was just expecting a Silver or Bronz award, my expectations were not very high. I am happy and proud of what I can do now that I know my capabilities and can nurture them to explore bigger things in life”.
To enter the Science Expo, she received the encouragement from her father who is also in the Environmental Science field. “I wasn’t very keen at first but I took the opportunity”.
Curiosity and passion for science are also other things that drove her to enter the expo “Because I knew about a backbone plant and I knew it is a good carbon sponge and an important component in the environment”, Haidee explains
Receiving support and help from both parents helped Haidee to apply her knowledge when she was conducting the research project on Environmental Science. “I now want to work in the Environmental sector because I want to be in the field as my dad”.
Haidee and her mother, Dr Mazvita Thondhlana at Kingswood College. Photo: Jackie Grove
Haidee made us so proud, we were not expecting it as it was just a normal Saturday for us and it ended up with so much joy. We are excited and proud of her.”
Her father, Professor Gladman Thondhlana said “We are excited about her performance and dedication to her school work. We are so proud of her”.
Kingswood College Head of Academics Ms Tracy Van Molendorff agrees, “Kingswood is incredibly proud of Haidee for receiving a Gold award. She is an intelligent, dedicated, curious and hardworking young scientist and it is wonderful to see her being acknowledged for her efforts. We have wonderful partnership with Rhodes University and are therefore excited that Haidee will have the opportunity to further her studies as this wonderful institution”.
About Kingswood . We expand on the IEB curriculum in Science and Life Sciences by providing field trips, lectures, experiments and various forms of media relating to current environmental issues and sustainability. Assembly talks, celebrating woman in science and by creating spaces where our children can be involved in community driven projects that enhance environmental awareness. Our active Environmental Club are involved in recycling projects, the removal of invasive alien flora, river clean ups, spekboom planting projects, community clean ups. Educationally we expose our pupils to various institutions for example visits to Three Valleys NR as well as to the Institute for Water Research (RU) to establish a link between water quality monitoring and MiniSASS. Our Grade 10s did extensive water testing on the Kowie river on their last camp. Our outdoor education program is also integral in the advancement of our pupil’s awareness of the environment and the conservation there of. The NS department encourages and develops scientific and practical research skills with all our Grade 9 pupils – who prepare investigative projects for the Science Expo”
The post Kingswood College learner, Haidee Thondhlana wins prestigious top science Awards at Eskom Expo – By Khanyisa Kanese appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News.
Kingswood College learner, Haidee Thondhlana, was awarded a prestigious Gold Award and Rhodes University bursary for her scientific research project
The post Kingswood College learner, Haidee Thondhlana wins prestigious top science Awards at Eskom Expo – By Khanyisa Kanese appeared first on The Home Of Great South African News. Read More
