Winning posters ring festival bell

From the left, Dr Diina Shuuluka of the science commission, Remember Abner Elia Ekandjo of Rocky Crest High School; Hanro Botma of Pionierspark Primary School and Angelique Philander, also of the science commission.

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology this week announced the winners of the Science, Technology and Innovation Festival poster and theme competition, which ran in September this year. Remember Abner Elia Ekandjo (Grade 9) from Rocky Crest High School won the secondary school category and walked away with an Acer laptop computer; while Hanro Botma (Grade 6) from Pionierspark Primary School won the primary school category, and received a brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab 4.

Their respective schools each received N$5000 for science equipment. The competition encouraged learners to design the poster and theme for the upcoming Science, Technology and Innovation Festival, to be held in June 2015. Entries had to be related to the UNESCO 2015 International Year of Light, which commemorates the achievements of light science and its applications. Speaking at the prize giving, Ms Angelique Philander, Manager: Human and Institutional Development, Science Promotion at the commission said “we are proud of the learners who took the time and effort to develop their posters for the competition, as the aim of the competition and the festival is to encourage the youth to pursue careers in science and technology. We are impressed by the quality of the winning posters, as well as all other entries received, because it shows that there truly is an interest in science and technology amongst the younger generation.”