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18 November 2024 | Story Nicolle Loader and Rudi Swart | Photo Supplied
Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry
The team from the UFS who assisted with the Tritech National Science and Technology Fair. Back, from left, Prof Johan Venter, Dr Ernie Langner, Dr Litheko Nkabiti, Dr Rudi Swart, all from the Department of Chemistry; Vuyelwa Nkoi, Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Dr Mariana Erasmus and Ouma Ngoepe from the CMBG. Front, from left, Khezwo Nematshema, Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Dr Dumisani Kama, Department from Chemistry; Muhammad Sallie, CMBG; Shahiëda Cloete, SFSD; Nicolle Loader, CMBG; and Mellisa Pringle (Lasec)

The Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry (CMBG) at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) support and partnership of the Tritech National Science and Technology Fair reached new heights this year with the event set to be featured in a new television series.

CMBG has been a proud sponsor and partner of the Tritech National Science and Technology Fair for the past four years. Established in 2008, Tritech is a renowned competition that allows Grade 7 to Grade 12 learners from across South Africa to showcase their research abilities. The Tritech National Science Competition serves as a beacon of opportunity for young minds, fostering their passion for scientific exploration and igniting their curiosity. It is designed to enhance scientific literacy, encourage innovation, and nurture the next generation of scientists and inventors.

“The CMBG has consistently demonstrated its commitment to promoting education and empowering young individuals. As a result, we have partnered with Tritech since 2021, and I believe that this partnership has opened new doors and possibilities for our young scientists. We are incredibly honoured to be part of such a dynamic and inspiring environment,” said Dr Mariana Erasmus, Vice Director: CMBG and Tritech EXCO member.

Power of science and technology

According to Dr Erasmus, at the CMBG, they believe in the power of science and technology to transform our world. Their involvement in this event aligns perfectly with the centre’s commitment to fostering innovation, encouraging critical thinking, and nurturing the next generation of scientists and innovators.

“We are excited about the opportunities Tritech presents to the university to engage with cutting-edge projects, to exchange ideas, and build lasting collaborations. The spirit of curiosity and exploration that Tritech embodies is exactly what drives our institution’s mission forward.”

In addition to assisting with the judging of projects during the National Science Competition at the Merensky Agricultural Academy in Tzaneen, the CMBG presents a fun but intellectually stimulating activity, showcasing various STEM-related disciplines that UFS offers to inspire students from across South Africa to celebrate scientific discovery. Each year, the CMBG collaborates with a different department for these activities, and this year, in October 2024, the collaboration was with the UFS Department of Chemistry.

‘Science Olympics’

The theme for Tritech 2024 was “Science Olympics”, and after the formalities of the project presentations were completed, the fair kicked off with a grand procession led by bearers of flaming torches and flags reminiscent of Olympic ceremonies. “Learners marched proudly, symbolising their commitment to science, with representatives from UFS and Tritech EXCO leading the way, an unforgettable visual display honoured the learners’ passion for exploration,” said Dr Erasmus.

The event transitioned into a video presentation explaining the misuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sports, followed by interactive activities focused on analysing possible doping agents. Thereafter, the UFS team guided learners through hands-on experiments, demonstrating the science behind identifying performance-enhancing drugs. Through engaging, real-world applications, learners were not only able to detect these substances but quantify their findings, making the learning experience both fun and educational.

As the night closed, the Chemistry team mesmerised the audience with a ‘magic show’. Explosions of colour, booming sounds, and flashes of light filled the sky, leaving everyone in awe. The show combined entertainment and chemistry, showcasing the wonders of science through spectacular reactions.

On TV

The fair concluded the next day with activities like kart building and livestock showcases, ending with a prize-giving ceremony to reward the learners for their hard work throughout the year. Adding to the excitement, the event is set to be featured in a new television series, with the pilot episode filmed during the weekend of Tritech Nationals 2024.

“The series promises to bring the Tritech experience to life for a wider audience, aiming to capture the incredible spirit, creativity, and innovation that defines Tritech. It will be an incredible opportunity to gain recognition, inspire others, and highlight the importance of science and technology in solving real-world challenges,” Dr Erasmus concluded.

This year’s fair was a celebration of knowledge, creativity, and the endless possibilities of science, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.

News Archive

Open Day engulfs Bloemfontein Campus with colour, crowds and cheer
2013-05-04

 

08 May 2013
Photo: Lelanie de Wet


   Open Day YouTube video

The procession – comprising of Prof Jonathan Jansen and the Deans of all the UFS faculties – stately entered a packed Callie Human Centre on Saturday morning 4 May 2013. As everyone took their seats, all the lights were abruptly cut, leaving the hall in a stunned silence. Suddenly brilliant beams of green, blue and red lights cut through the dark, exploding into a spectacular laser show.

Open Day 2013 on the Bloemfontein Campus was officially under way.

The audience of parents and prospective students were awe-struck by a transfixing electric guitar performance, dancers lit up by LED suits, pulsing music and finally Corneil Muller singing to the accompaniment of Prof Jansen behind the piano.

Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jansen immediately made attendees from across all nine provinces, Namibia, Lesotho and several other countries feel at home and embraced by the university. During his welcoming address, Prof Jansen referred to the fact that Kovsies places the bar high when it comes to achievement. “We expect more of our students,” he said. “Passing is not important, passing wéll is important.” He stressed that at the university we teach students to be decent, to be exceptional people. “We place a high premium on being an outstanding human being.” He went on to say that our students are better than the previous generation – they do not carry the baggage of the old.

Prof Jansen also communicated the university’s commitment to developing leaders with an understanding of the world. This is why the university afford students the opportunity, amongst other things, to study abroad. Students have access to a wide variety of organisations and the privilege to have access to leaders who they can converse with. Kovsies strives to produce leaders, not only in the community, but on a global platform.

To demonstrate this last point, top Kovsie achievers joined Prof Jansen on stage to relay their stories of perseverance, courage and success. Included among these stars, were athlete Danél Prinsloo; Varsity Cup Player that Rocks 2013 Oupa Mohoje; DW Bester, a Rhodes Scholar currently studying at Oxford University in the United Kingdom; and Jurie Swart, who ranked under the top five in the 2012 International Graduate Architecture Student Design competition.

The residences pulled out all stops when it came to the presentation of their individual stalls. The gardens in front of the Main Building burst with colour, sound, dancing and laughter as the residences competed to draw the most visitors. The faculties also opened their doors for a glimpse at the exciting opportunities awaiting prospective students.

A record amount of visitors went home with the words of Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs, inscribed in their minds summing up what the UFS is all about: “Where a sense of community matters more than the colour of your skin.”

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