Every year more than 16 000 learners participate at district- and regional-level expos. This culminates in the International Science Fair at which approximately 600 learners from South Africa, as well as six other African countries and Brazil, present a total of 500 projects. As a member of the International Selection Panel, Dr Mercier assessed projects in the categories of medical sciences, sport sciences and microbiology. A total of 26 learners were selected to attend an international science fair during the course of 2019. South Africa will be represented at eight international science fairs in 2019, with the largest delegation participating in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), which is the biggest and most prestigious science fair in the world. In 2018 our South African learners won medals and prizes at each of the science fairs they attended, and we hope to repeat this achievement in 2019.

SciFest Africa was established in 1996 to promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science, technology and innovation (STI). This year SciFest Africa celebrated its 23rd year with the theme ‘Find your element’, and was held at the 1820 Settlers National Monument in Makhanda. During the course of the SciFest programme, Dr Mercier presented daily and interacted with educators, learners of all ages, members of the public and fellow scientists. On 6 March she presented a talk on the ‘The science of being happy’, and repeated this to a group of 140 learners and educators at the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre on 7 March as part of an outreach programme at Uitenhage. On 8 March Dr Mercier, together with two other international scientists, was interviewed for an event entitled ‘In conversation with… Dr Joji Mercier’ in front of a live audience. As one of the invited, high-profile speakers from South Africa and abroad, Dr Mercier presented a lecture on ‘The chemistry of love’ to a mixed audience of approximately 150 adults, educators, learners and other scientists on 9 March. That afternoon she made a short presentation on the research she conducts at the Department of Physiology at UP during a sunset show before a capacity crowd of more than 200 people. 

Such contributions supported by the Faculty of Health Sciences are important, as engendering a love of science in our learners is essential for a sustainable and flourishing future in our country. We are hoping for your continued support in these community engagements, as we have invited Dr Mercier to serve on the International Selection Panel during the next International Science Fair, which runs from 25 to 27 September 2019.  

By Mr Chris McCartney, International Selection Coordinator and Provincial Co-ordinator (Eastern Cape) under the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists