SA learners win at science fair

2011-05-17 12:50

Johannesburg - Two South African pupils were awarded top prizes at an international science fair in California, digital company Intel said on Monday.

"This global competition features youth trying to solve the world's most pressing challenges through science, and we're very proud of the South African learners who excelled in the international stage of the competition," said Intel SA corporate head Parthy Chetty.

Danielle Boer, a 17-year-old pupil from Newcastle, was awarded a R420 000 scholarship for her study on how to increase the productivity of factory workers using music.

The other pupil, 16-year-old Alessio Giuricich from Cape Town, won a second place prize of R10 500 at the Intel Grand Awards, for a study about sugar dependence in teenagers.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Isef) is the world's largest school science competition.

More than seven million pupils compete in local science fairs with the aim of reaching the Isef.

Only 1 500 are invited to share their ideas, showcase cutting-edge research, and compete for over $4m in awards and scholarships.

"The hard work and gruelling hours of research evident in these learners' projects paid off in the end," Chetty said.

- SAPA