Every year the PHS science staff (Natural Science, Life Sciences and Physical Science departments) work incredibly hard, giving up vast amounts of time, to assist the Grade 9s and Grade 11s with their science projects for the year.

For the first time in a very long time, the Grade 11 average was above that of Grade 9, which was particularly pleasing for the PS and LS teachers to see. There was also a wider variety of projects in Grade 11 than in previous years, with more technology-based projects and some maths-based projects. 

Following on from the Science Fair 20 projects were entered into Cape Town Expo. Of those, 14 received a medal, which is an increase on last year.

The medal winners at Cape Town Expo were:

Bronze:

• Do people spend more on building materials during the week? (Ashley Davies)
• Exercises to increase lung capacity (Adam Schroeder)                                                            
• How to keep air clean when driving a car (Danesha Daniels and Abigail Jonkers)
• Parachutes: which design is best? (Jonathan Campbell and Daniel North)
• Reducing the carbon footprint of the PHS community (Sydney Jacobs and Nonceba Radebe)
• Rolling dice: finding a formula to predict outcomes (Courtney Watt)
• Teeth brushing: Circular motions vs. straight strokes (Matthew Clothier and Nathan du Preez)

Silver:

• How the floor plan influences turnover (Julie-Ann Leach and Brandy-Lee Verheem) 
• Life saving water bottle rocket (Jonas Gensicke and Jason Hillebrand)
• Making a Tin can drainer (Andrea Leader and India Louw)     

Gold:

• The effects of light colour on photosynthesis of Elodea (Matthew Siebritz)
• Making a cooling blanket (Josh Roman and Imaad Soeker)
• Do bigger liquid volumes and densities make a glass beaker resonate at a lower frequency? (Elizabeth Martens and Jasmine Parry)
• Producing an efficient portable sun tracking solar charger (Fritz Keyzer and Josiah Senior)

In addition to these medals, 3 special awards were awarded.

·         Best mathematical project at Cape Town Expo: Courtney Watt

·         Best Junior Water project at Cape Town Expo: Sydney Jacobs and Nonceba Radebe

·         Best energy project at Cape Town Expo: Josiah Senior & Fritz Kezyer

Josiah and Fritz’s award puts their project in the top 5 at Cape Town Expo in 2014, which is an incredible result!

The four gold projects will be going to represent Cape Town at the International Science Fair in Johannesburg in October. Given that only 31 projects are being sent from Cape Town to the ISF, the fact that four of them come from Pinelands High School is an incredible accolade for the school! 

Mbulelo Yedwa (Provincial Head of HR Eskom) congratulating Fritz and Josiah on winning the award for the Best Energy Project at the Cape Town Expo.