The Hardap Regional Science Fair took place under the theme "Sustainability through Innovation and Technology."

A senior education officer from the region, Petrus Auala, says more science teachers are needed due to the many innovation projects coming up in the region.

The science fair brought together young learners from all corners of the region to popularise science and technology among learners, communities, and educators. 

It is a vehicle to encourage parents and teachers to take a more active interest in the study of science by providing an opportunity for students to conduct and publicly present an independent scientific inquiry. 

"This activity is very important in our region because right now there are so many innovation projects that are taking place in the region, such as green hydrogen, that we need scientists to take up or to join the industry. We are saying it is very important in a way that we are also encouraging our learners to participate in science. Not only that, when you look at the education sector, our region has few science teachers. We are really struggling when it comes to science teachers, so we hope the young ones we are grooming will take up the science field so that in the future we can address this backlog of teachers in the science field."

The event is organised annually in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture as well as the National Commission on Research in Science and Technology.

There were about 30 learners who took part in this year's event, and they were in different categories.

Mokgadi Titus, the Head Judge of the Hardap Region Science Fair, described the participants at the fair as innovative, adding that "we have seen that they have come up with innovative ideas to solve challenges they face in their communities and also in our country as a whole. The science fair aims to encourage learners to participate in STEM subjects and also to be more innovative, and this is another way they can produce and show their skills. Over the past few years, we have seen an increasing number of participants in the Hardap Region Science Fair."

Cataleya Eberenz won first place and was also the overall winner in the primary schools' model category.

Inaura Beukes won second place and was awarded a silver medal. 

Both are from the Ruimte Primary School in Rehoboth. Cataleya will represent the Hardap Region at the National Science Fair.