Port Rex boffin to showcase smart water system in China
Kiyara Swartbooi grabs spot at international competition after winning silver in Eskom Expo
Port Rex Technical High School grade 12 pupil Kiyara Swartbooi is set to present her smart water management system at the 43rd Beijing Youth Science Creation competition in March.
Swartbooi walked away with a silver medal at the Eskom Expo Young Scientist competition in October 2023, which earned her the spot at the international competition.
The Eskom science fair selects pupils from 35 regions in SA to compete against the best young scientists from around the country and the world.
The week-long Beijing competition sees participants compete in four sections: medical and health sciences, zoology, mathematics and computer sciences.
“It has been a dream to travel abroad, and especially to China. I’m ecstatic and grateful to be able to share my innovation with people around the world,” said Kiyara.
In Beijing, she will present an upgraded version of her project, which entails a thermal faucet or tap.
Her system allows users to conserve water by letting them know when their bathtubs have filled up to a preset temperature.
The system uses a temperature controller to regulate the water temperature and which sends a signal to the user once the maximum temperature is reached.
It also integrates a flowmeter, smart faucet (tap), temperature sensor, and an app interface to make it user-friendly.
“I got an email that I’d been nominated for an interview virtually by a panel of judges and could potentially participate in an overseas competition.
“This was merely about the upgrades of my project. In December, I received another email that the interview was successful and that I’d officially been invited to participate in Beijing.
“I’ll be integrating my project with smart technology, such as the smart faucet, the flow meter, and the app as upgrades to my project. “My family and friends and my school have also been among my biggest supporters.
“I have to specially mention teachers such as Chantel Beckmann and Daisy John. “They have been supporting me since the very beginning of my Eskom Science Expo journey.” Being provided with contacts to interact with had played a significant role in her project.
“I try my best to navigate the challenges that come with balancing it all, by prioritising my time and avoiding procrastination.
“I have a lot of assistance from my mentors so I know that I’m not alone in the development of my project.”
School principal Ettiene Theron said they consider themselves a “school of engineers” and Kiyara’s achievement was exactly the kind of news that would inspire fellow pupils.
“We encourage our learners to partake in various Olympiads and science expos throughout the academic year. That’s where Kiyara’s journey started.”
He said the school was also introducing coding and robotics as a separate subject in grades 8 and 9 in 2024.
“These subjects will fit in perfectly with the technology subjects now offered at the school.”
He said the school has also been involved in the solar boat competition hosted by Nelson Mandela University’s engineering faculty in Gqeberha.
“The boats are designed, built, and crewed by civil technology learners in our workshops.
“Port Rex won the inaugural competition in 2022 and achieved first and second places in the 2023 event.
“My advice to other schools is to encourage their learners to take mathematics and science at GET [General Education and Training ] level.
“These are the gateway subjects for technology and engineering studies at post-matric level. There is now a huge demand for technical skills in SA, and there is a multitude of employment opportunities available for matriculants with mathematics, science and technology.”