Learners of two high schools in Kimberley did exceptionally
well in representing South Africa at an international competition held annually
in America, and during which youths present their research findings to a panel
of scientists of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
These learners of the Kimberley Boys’ High School and the
Kimberley Technical High School (THS) were the first from South Africa and the
African continent to ever participate in the Growing Beyond Earth (GBE)
2022-’23 competition.
A total of 372 schools across six continents started trial 1
of the GBE competition in September, said Keamogetswe Thomas, communication
officer at the Northern Cape Entrepreneurship Academy.
She said only 58 schools out of the 372 made it through to
trial 2, including the two Kimberley-based school.
Trial 2 culminated in a student research symposium where
schools had to present and showcase their scientific research virtually.
Boys’ High ranked in the top 11 performing schools, scoring
192 out of 200, and were awarded a special merit award for exemplary teamwork.
On their work, one of the judges commented, “They
investigated the effect of humidity on plant growth. They tested their
prediction that higher humidity could increase yield with constant growth.
“The experiment was well-conceived and executed and
communicated clearly with a very high-quality presentation. Strong work
indeed.”
THS ranked in the top 39 performing schools, scoring 185 out
of 200.
A judge’s remark was, “This was obviously well-rehearsed and
professionally performed. Taking the initial observations about algal growth
and then using that as a building block for a new investigation was a great
piece of science!
“Elements like using randomisation in the trial design
showed a thoughtful approach to setting up the experiment. The discussion with
the judges was also sophisticated, showing a real ability to think in the
moment. Great job!”
Thomas said at the core of the learners’ achievement lies
the fact that they participated in a groundbreaking classroom-based citizen
science project that has NASA attached to it.
This initiative aims to advance NASA’s research on growing
plants in space by conducting plant experiments in a state-of-the-art plant
habitat, reminiscent of the Vegetable Production System (Veggie) aboard the
International Space Station (ISS).
NASA looks toward a long-term human presence beyond Earth’s
orbit, with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) challenges
related to food production in space.
Reflecting on experience
Reflecting on his experience, Lukhanya Wolfe, a learner of
Boys’ High, said it helps to shape his ambitions for helping the earth, and
finding ways to sustain life beyond our planet.
“I have always been interested in contributing to the well-being
of our planet. This project holds the key to ensuring that we sustain our
planet for future generations.”
“With the success we achieved in the GBE competition, I
envision our contributions having the potential to redefine the agricultural
space,” expressed Tshiamo Molusi, another Boys’ High learner.
“We can offer productive and sustainable farming methods
that address pressing issues like water shortages and climate change while
simultaneously increasing food production.
“Our GBE experience opens new possibilities and frontiers
for future space missions. It has shown us that sustainable food production is
feasible even in environments previously deemed unsuitable for plant growth,
such as space shuttles or other planets. Hydroponics has emerged as an
efficient and promising farming method.
“We believe that our school’s ongoing participation in GBE
will contribute to the success of future space excursions, enabling scientists
to sustain themselves during these missions,”
Khanyile Kalipi, a learner of THS, also shared his view.
“Farming with new technology has propelled us into a realm
of endless possibilities, especially as traditional land farming faces
increasing challenges in South Africa. Embracing agri-tech and innovation on a
larger scale can have a profound impact, making landfarming problems a thing of
the past,” he stated.
Contributing data to NASA
Established in 2015 as a partnership between the Fairchild
Tropical Botanic Garden and NASA’s Exploration Research and Technology
Programmes, GBE enables student community scientists to contribute data towards
NASA’s mission planning.
GBE presented the learners the opportunity to showcase their
talent and passion for STEM, innovation, and agri-tech.
The GBE competition not only celebrates the outstanding
achievements of these Northern Cape learners but also underscores the profound
connection between agriculture and space exploration.
Through a local programme of the Northern Cape
Entrepreneurship Academy, GreenLab.bi, the two schools are part of ten other
schools in the Northern Cape looking at innovative solutions to address key
problems around food security and climate change using hydroponics.
The participation of the two schools in GBE was made
possible by the non-profit company (NPC) Northern Cape Entrepreneurship Academy,
which aims to educate and drive sustainable development with learners and young
people through various initiatives such as GreenLab.bi.
GreenLab.bi has been made possible through the support of
the United States Mission to South Africa Public Affairs Section at the U.S.
Consulate General in Cape Town.
– Keamogetswe
Thomas
