Press Release
Short Copy
Limpopo province are the winners of the 2009 MinquizTM annual national science
competition for schools, with the Eastern Cape in second place, and Gauteng
coming in third position. The national finals were held on 23 and 24 July 2009 at
Mintek in Randburg.
The winners each walked away with R650 in cash and a half-ounce Kruger Rand
sponsored by Rand Refinery Limited worth about R4 000 each, while each of the
schools represented in the team received R3 250.
Members of the second placed Eastern Cape team each received R450 and
each school represented in the team received R2 250. Learners of the Gauteng
team each took home R250 while each school represented in the team received
R1 250. All participating learners also received a certificate of participation, with
23 learners obtaining a Merit Certificate (written test score between 40% and
59%), 21 a Distinction Certificate (60-79%), and 3 learners an Excellence
Certificate (above 80%).
ends
LONG COPY
Limpopo province are the winners of the 2009 Minquiz annual national science
competition for schools, with the Eastern Cape in second place, and Gauteng
coming in third position. The national finals were held on 23 and 24 July 2009 at
Mintek in Randburg.
The winners each walked away with R650 in cash and a half-ounce Kruger Rand
sponsored by Rand Refinery Limited worth about R4 000 each, while each of the
schools represented in the team received R3 250.
Members of the second placed Eastern Cape team each received R450 and
each school represented in the team received R2 250. Learners of the Gauteng
team each took home R250 while each school represented in the team received
R1 250. All participating learners also received a certificate of participation,
Liang Yu of Pretoria High School for Girls and Donattelo Mzilethi of Blue Hills
College were named top learners in the Platinum and Gold category written test
respectively. They were each awarded with a trophy and a cash prize of R1 000.
All members of the top three teams also received a one-year subscription to
“Quest” magazine courtesy of the Academy of Science of South Africa and a
Minquiz hamper with a bag, thermos mug, memory stick arm band, a folder and a
pen and pencil set.
The provincial teams also competed in a Soap Box Derby race where the
learners are requested to construct a cart using scientific principles and then race
against each other. The North West province recorded the fasted time, with the
Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal taking home the prise for the best design and
best construction respectively.
In the Egg Drop competition, where each finalist is required to build a container
that would protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height of three
storeys, Mothapo Maidila from Motse Maria High School in Limpopo was
awarded the prize for the “Most Innovative Design using Scientific Principles”.
Michael Hatherly from Rondebosch Boys High, in Cape Town, took home the
prize for the “Simplest Construction”, while Simon Bergman and Christopher
Bradshaw from Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape won awards for the
“Smallest Design” and “Most Spectacular Blowout” respectively.
All participating learners received a certificate of participation, with 23 learners
obtaining a Merit Certificate (written test score between 40% and 59%), 21 a
Distinction Certificate (60-79%), and 3 learners an Excellence Certificate (above
80%).
This year’s competition saw nine provincial teams competing for the honour of
being crowned the 2009 Minquiz National Champions; after the team members
making up the nine provincial teams competed in a rigorous provincial knock-out
competition in May this year.
Background to Minquiz
Minquiz combines the rigors of an Olympiad with the excitement of a live onstage quiz to produce an entertaining competition which promotes excellence in
both Physical Science and Mathematics. Questions are aligned with the National
Curriculum Statement, and are taken mostly from the Grade 11 curriculum, with a
few general knowledge questions in science and engineering thrown in for good
measure.
The science competition has a very proud history dating back to 1988 when it
was introduced by Mintek to a few schools around the Randburg area. Due to its
success, the competition has grown in leaps and bounds to be the premier
national science competition it is today.
The winner of the competition in 1990 (and now the Minquiz patron), our very
own Mark Shuttleworth, partially owes his success to participating in Minquiz.
The prize he won back then, his first PC, was the very computer that he used to
start learning his craft as a programmer!
Next year Mintek is considering taking Minquiz to the next level by establishing
additional provincial centres around the country, especially in provinces there are
a large number of high schools. Mintek is seeking to engage with partners who
either have an existing schools engagement programme, a desire to engage with
learners in their area, or a need to identify the top talent in South Africa’s schools
for their human capital development programmes.
“Minquiz is great: A wonderful opportunity for young potential scientists to get
excited by the big world of research. Katie found the experience both a challenge
and an exciting experience. Interacting with other scholars (learners) was
rewarding and getting to know about Mintek was also interesting. Altogether a
worthwhile exercise which should be supported and encouraged.”
-Robin Drennan, Executive Director, National Research Foundation and father of
Katherine Drennan, a Gauteng province team member
“I'm Edwell Gumbo, science teacher at Blue Hills College whose learner
Donattelo Mzilethi came out as the top learner in the Gold Category. Let me
thank you for accepting our entry to MINQUIZ 2009 as first timers. It has been a
worthy experience and the learners who participated and those who came to
support had an experience that they will never forget. Donattelo is a
disadvantaged learner and cannot believe it that he came tops. He would love to
study Chemical Engineering under the Mintek bursary (programme)”
-Edwell Gumbo, Physical Science educator, Blue Hills College
“Congratulations with a very successful and well organised event on 24 July! It
had all the excitement that only a live quiz can offer, as well as celebration of
various winners' achievements. The learners had a great time, and all of us were
entertained as well. It was exhilarating to witness the final showdown between
the last two teams, the winning one being almost an all girls team! It added to the
excitement that both teams were equally good and the tension was drawn out
while they competed for the top winning place. The motivational speaker was
excellent. His humour had us rolling in the aisles, and his message moved us.”
-Jansie Niehaus, Executive Director, National Science and Technology Forum
“This kind of event, professional yet not staid, instilled a sense of pride amongst
the guests. This included the DoE representatives from their various Provinces.
It was amazing to see how the ‘competition’ spirit had spread to the audience.
The invited Limpopo guests were particularly proud and vocally so with regards
to their achievements!”
-Bernice Hattingh, Radical Mathematics & Science
“I was pleasantly surprised at the style in which the Minquiz was presented. I
found it to be more fun and much more directed at school children than what it
was 11 years ago! In my opinion the competition definitely aids in the main
objective of getting school kids involved and interested in mathematics and
science.”
-Zita du Toit, Lecturer: Chemical Engineering Department, University of
Stellenbosch; Vice-President of South African Institution of Chemical Engineers;
and part of the winning Minquiz team in 1998
“I must say that this year's event was more than fabulous and well organised.”
-Phumzile Mashalaba, Deputy Chief Education Specialist: Mathematics, Science
Technology & Engineering Coordination, Eastern Cape Department of Education
“I really enjoyed the programme particularly the Quiz. I think the programme ran
smoothly. Overall, I was really proud to see so many young South Africans from
different backgrounds represented in the Final. Minquiz has clearly showcased
the potential that exists in our country. The learners showed that they are
interested, motivated, have high skills and knowledge about Science and are all
determined to succeed in Science. Well done!”
-John MacBride, Schooling Content Manager, Mindset Network
“The standard of the MINQUIZ improves every year. I never get bored of
watching the quiz because the format is different every time. The quiz is so
beautifully designed that the questions for the teams are similar yet so different.
Participants are of such a high calibre: I can never understand how fast the
learners answer those questions especially mathematics. More schools need to
be encouraged to participate. It was encouraging to see more girl learners in the
competition as well. The motivational speaker was also very relevant and
inspiring.”
-Cynthia Malinga, Sasol
“I really enjoyed the enthusiasm of the entire Minquiz team as well as the
enthusiasm and energy of the participating students. It left me feeling optimistic
about the quality of South Africa’s future scientist and technology leaders.”
-Ian McKay, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand
“The Minquiz final was a very entertaining and informative event, especially for
the students. The part that I enjoyed the most was the motivational talk that got
me thinking about my own career ambitions. I think it is a good thing to have
such finals as they go a long way to motivate students who have chosen maths
and science careers. In the world that we are leaving in, we really need more
scientists.”
-Patrick Nemushungwa, Academy of Science of South Africa
We at Apollo Scientific were very impressed with the organization and running of
the competition. We were very honoured to be allowed to participate in the
event, and to help in a small way to excite the pupils about science. The
Phenom electron microscope seemed to be a big hit, with lots of interest from the
learners. They will never let a fly land on their food again after seeing it
magnified 20,000x!
-Alistair Douglas, Apollo Scientific
To me, more time was spend on the planning of the event, and that is why it went
so well generally. I was very impressed of the evidence of how possible it is to
instill teamwork ethics among learners in only two days. Those learners worked
as if they have known each other for a very long time before the competition day,
which boosted their confidence and other factors which contributed towards their
success. The motivational speaker was one of the best you have invited for your
events.
-Moloko Victor Malahlela, Ernst & Young and African Explosives Limited Maths &
Science Projects
I loved the Minquiz – great talent and loads of good, clean fun in the name of
Science.
-Diane Willis, National Sales Manager, The Teacher (Mail & Guardian)
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For photos and further information concerning the Minquiz 2009 National Finals
or concerning partnering with Mintek in 2010, please contact:
Garth Williams
Head: Academic Support Unit
Human Resources Division
Mintek
Tel: 011 709 4476
Fax: 011 709 4465
Mobile: 082 883 6967
e-mail: garthw@mintek.co.za
or
Tebogo Gule
Graduate Resource Development Officer
Human Resources Division
Mintek
Tel: 011 709 4797
Fax: 011 709 4465
Mobile: 082 883 4468
e-mail: tebogo.gule@mintek.co.za