Sasol Techno X 2009
Ninth Sasol Science and Technology Exhibition

The quest for success

Event Summary

Sasol Techno X 2009 - the quest for knowledge a great success...

Sasol's premier maths, science and technology exhibition - Sasol Techno X - was held at the Boiketlong Sports Centre in Sasolburg, where just over 21 thousand learners, teachers and members from the general public were in attendance.

Sasol Techno X has grown exponentially year-on-year since it's inception with this year being no different. More than 168 schools from across South Africa sent their young learners to participate in the Sasol Techno X "Quest for knowledge", and some of their reactions to the event include; "Sasol Techno X is probably the best place, workshop and event ever and I mean EVER. Not only do you learn and receive fruitful opportunities but also you get to have fun and learn about things that you do not learn about while sitting at a desk in school. Sasol Techno X is the best, if only I had 10 more fingers I would give it a 20 out of 20. It is totally the best learning ground for us as the learners" Thabo Monametsi, 17 years old, Gr. 11 and attend school at Dinoto Technical, Daveyton and Thabo Motsoeneng in Gr. 11 at Nomsa Secondary School in Deneysville had the following to say; "Sasol Techno X is the very best place to be because it is the only place where you as a learner can get information about bursaries and science, Sasol Techno X gave me the opportunity to think twice about my future. So thank you to Sasol!"

Sasol Techno X aims to inspire and motivate learners, educators and the general public to better understand the fields of maths, science and technology. It is through interactive engagement that learners can truly understand the world of science maths and technology. Sasol Techno X focused on offering a variety of platforms to creatively engage students.

This year Sasol Techno X held a series of live demonstrations across a broad spectrum of career paths, including astronomy; agriculture; the environment; the petroleum industry, including nitrogen, oil and polymers and how they function; green transport; biotechnology; gas-to-liquid technology processes and much, much more.

According to Cobus Jansen, Manager: Communications and Brand Marketing, Sasolburg, "Sasol Techno X is a unique experience for the learners of South Africa. We are providing invaluable learning experiences to the youth of South Africa, and more importantly allowing them the opportunity to plan their careers"

Sasol Techno X also offered workshops for learners and teachers enabling learners to make educated career choices. The workshops held included; "The 7 habits of highly effective teens", and "Make up your mind" a series of activities designed to stimulate lateral thinking and positive choices.

"Sasol Techno X aims to create interest and excitement amongst learners and educators to accept the challenges of tomorrow and look for solutions in the fields of maths, science and technology," Johan Furter, Managing Director, Sasol Infrachem, Sasolburg.

Two new projects for learners at Sasol Techno X 2009

“Sasol Techno X – through the eyes of the visitor”

Schools from Metsimaholo education district  were  invited to nominate two learners to participate in this project.  Eight schools participated and a camera was loaned to each school during the project.  For most learners using a camera was a brand new experience.

The aim of the photographic project is to train learners in photography and to compile a photo report on how visitors experience Sasol Techno X. 

The photojournalists were

            Chantell Muller                         Afrikaans High School
            Claudette van Rooyen               Afrikaans High School
            Neo Stephan Mofokeng             Cedar Secondary School
            Xolani Sunduza                         Cedar Secondary School
            Thoko Makhema                       Kahobotjha Sakubusha Secondary School
            Dimpho Mokoena                      Kahobotjha Sakubusha Secondary School
            Koko Mphuthi                           Metsimatle Secondary School
            Nkululeko Hlope                       Metsimatle Secondary School
            Malefu Lizzy Mofokeng             Nkgopoleng Secondary School
            Evidence Moraba                     Nkgopoleng Secondary School
            Thesele Makhachane               Pele-ya-Pele Secondary School
            Patricia Mohapi                       Pele-ya-Pele Secondary School
            Alicia Allison                           Sasolburg Secondary School
            Jacques Geldenhuys                Technical High School, Sasolburg
            Quentin de Witt                        Technical High School, Sasolburg\
           
“The voice of Sasol Techno X 2009” radio project

In the Voice of Sasol Techno X local schools were identified and Afrikaans High School, Nkgopoleng Secondary School and Pele-ya-Pele Secondary School were approached by the organisers of Sasol Techno X and asked to participate in the development of the 2009 radio campaign.

The learners nominated by their schools were Leora Gouws and Mariska van Zyl (Afrikaans High School), Motlatsi Molete and Lerato Mahlale (Nkgopoleng Secondary School),  and Ntsoaki Motshoeneng and Tshepo Malisa (Pele-ya-Pele Secondary School). These learners were involved in the production and recording of the radio adverts, in English, Afrikaans and Sotho for this year’s radio campaign.

 “The radio project is a new development for Sasol Techno X. We have never involved the learners so closely with the production of vital promotion elements of the exhibition.” says Cobus Jansen, Manager: Communications and Brand Marketing, Sasol, Sasolburg

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Competitions

Art Competition - National

Learners from Gr. 7 – 12 were asked to submit artwork based on the Sasol Techno X 2009 theme, quest for success.

Project Competition - Fezile Dabi and Sedibeng Education districts

The categories for were divided into Gr. 7 – 9 and Gr. 10 – 12.

Grade Winners

           Gr. 7 - 9

1st prize: Plant Science, Paul Brink; Sentrale Volkskool Primêr, Kroonstad
2nd prize: Animal Science, Jan-Louis du Plessis & Human Wessels; Sentrale Volkskool Primêr, Kroonstad
3rd prize: Social & Psychological Sciences, Dawie Fouché; Parys Hoërskool

Gr. 10 - 12

1st prize: Engineering - Chemical & Metallurgical, Jana Jordaan; Parys Hoërskool
2nd prize: Physics, S.N. Jordaan & Dedré Viljoen; Sasolburg Hoërskool
3rd prize: Engineering-Civil, Adam Zaheer & Muhammad Monga; Roshnee Secondary, Vereeniging

New Comers (Schools that enrolled for the first time)

1st prize: Social & Psychological Sciences, Thabang Sebetoane & Nthabiseng Moletsane; Dr Reginald Cingo Secondary, Kroonstad
2nd prize: Medical Sciences, Palesa Mkwanazi & Relebohile Malao; Bofula Tshepe Primary, Sasolburg
3rd prize: Health Care, Rouxnette Wiegand; Laerskool Vryheidsmonument, Drie Riviere

Overall winners

1st prize: Engineering - Chemical & Metallurgical, Jana Jordaan; Parys Hoërskool
2nd prize: Physics, S.N. Jordaan & Dedré Viljoen; Sasolburg Hoërskool
3rd prize: Engineering-Civil, Adam Zaheer & Muhammad Monga; Roshnee Secondary, Vereeniging

Computer Competition – Free State provincial competition

• Computer Application Technology (CAT)

Gr. 10

1st Prize Annika Barnhard Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein
2nd Prize Annesté Herholdt Landbouskool Jacobsdal
3rd Prize Jomari Bloem Landbouskool Jacobsdal

Gr. 11

1st Prize None awarded
2nd Prize Jeanett Mokhohlane Nomsa Secondary, Deneysville Joyce Motsoeneng Nomsa Secondary, Deneysville
3rd Prize Isaac Hlatswayo Nomsa Secondary, Deneysville

Gr. 12

1st Prize Monique Clark-Halkett Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein
2nd Prize Sumien Deetlefs Landbouskool Jacobsdal
3rd Prize Christo Scheepers Witteberg High School, Bethlehem

• Information Technology (IT)

Gr. 10

1st prize Martin Wierzbicki Sasolburg High School
2nd prize Carl Brink Sasolburg High School
3rd prize Hank Wu Sasolburg High School

Gr. 11

1st prize Robert Bogle Sasolburg High School
2nd prize Ryno Louw Sasolburg High School
3rd prize Sara Masilela Sasolburg High School

Gr. 12

1st prize Olivier Tshimbidi Sasolburg High School
2nd prize Stanley Bubb Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein
3rd prize Edward Engelbrecht Hoërskool Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein

list of 2009 exhibitors