Science ladies a force to reckon with

Ester Kamati
Diego Turner

Numerous girls at De Duine Secondary School are making great strides in the science and technology fields.

With the establishment of the Walvis Bay Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by former teacher Anastasia De Klerk, girls from Walvis Bay have the opportunity to showcase their science projects that are related to these fields.

The Walvis Bay STEM Fair for Girls is one of the branches of NamSTEM and it was started in September 2018.

“STEM projects help to provide learners with opportunities to make meaningful connections to the real world as they develop skills, behaviours and dispositions necessary for college, career and life readiness. Our main goals are to create a positive annual scientific event which female learners can look forward to as well as to encourage scientific exploration and discovery and promote a deep lifelong passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics”, Ms De Klerk said.

A few learners from De Duine received prizes at the annual STEM fair prize giving and the school was also awarded as the best secondary school.

The trophy for the best technology project was awarded to Lauryn Maanda from De Duine Secondary School with her project, coding made easy.

“I’ve always liked messing around with the software and hardware of a computer. Once I placed a virus on my dad’s laptop and within a few seconds all documents were gone. It was awesome to see what I can do.”

She is currently in grade 12 now and would love to study further in computer science, or engineering.

The trophy for the best engineering project was awarded to Penny Kashidukila from de Duine Secondary School with her project, a homemade washing machine.

This grade 9 learner explained that she saw the idea for the project on a YouTube video. “I thought it was interesting since you only use a storage container, two buckets and a PVC pipe. I’m not sure if Ill participate in more projects this year.”

She was also one of the learners who were invited to go to Pretoria to compete in the South African Youth Engineering and Science Symposium (SAYESS).

“I really enjoyed the symposium and learned so much while in South Africa. It was great fun!”

Reginelda Stefanus from De Duine Secondary School scooped the award for most creative secondary school project, with her project what type of foundation is the best for a particular building.

She is currently a grade 11 learner with hopes to become an architect. “I have always been fascinated with buildings, and all its components and thought it might make a great project. Judging from the award I got I believe I did a great job.” She hopes to participate in more science fair projects.