Young Science Communicators Winners 2017

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AWARD WINNERS OF THE 2016/2017 YOUNG SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS COMPETITION!

The Young Science Communicator’s Competition (YSCC) specifically challenges young scientists and researchers between the ages of 18 and 35 to communicate their world to a larger audience beyond their scientific community.

The winners, runners and commended pieces for this year’s competition in the four categories are:

Article category: writing a popular article for a newspaper or magazine.

As a traditional mode of communication, print media can reach a wide readership and interest the public in science and science-related issues.

First place     :     Ms Ingrid Minnaar          “The harlequin ladybird: The bad side of a cute beetle”

Second place:    Ms Marike Louw              “Listen Up! Eavesdropping on Cape Peninsula Endemics”

Commended:    

Ms Chinenye Jane Ani   “The fall of mathematics: A blessing or a curse?”

Ms Angela Kirykowicz    “Understanding Molecular Machines to fight TB”

Ms Carla Dodd                  “Honey, please bee smart”

Audio category: creating audio clips for radio or online platforms.

This category specifically promotes communication in all South African languages. Radio has far-reaching potential into areas where other forms of communication may be limited, such as in rural communities. Successful radio communication conjures up the “theatre of the mind”. Audio can also be incorporated in online multimedia communications.

First place     :     Dr Victoria Joy Madden “Pain by association”

Second place:    Ms Kerryn Warren           “Long in the tooth”

Commended:

Ms Kerryn Warren           “The Robust Australopiths”

Special Mention for her Xhosa Submission: Ms Zikhona Dlaza      “Inzululwazi ngobume bomtsalane kubudlelwane babantu abathanda nayo”

Video Category: creating videos for online platforms

The viral nature of popular and entertaining videos that are spread by social media and e-mail makes them a highly effective method of reaching many people in a short period of time.

First Place     :    Dr Sabeehah Vawda       “Why must ARV’s be taken everyday”

Second place:    Mr Zander Venter           “Our footprint from space”

Commended:    Ms Keelyn Van Breda     “Ben”

Open Category: incorporating all other effective forms of communication include drama, song, poetry, cartoons and more.

First place     :     Ms Anisha Dayaram        “A statistical analysis of a scientist haplessly in love”

Second place:    Mr Tlou Masehela           “As tiny as I am”

Commended:    Mr Darryl Arthur Herron               “Food Security”