28/08/2026
STEM EXPO AND COMPETITION 2026
The annual CPUT VC's STEM Exposition and Student Competition aims to advance STEM-related subjects among CPUT students and local school learners. It provides a platform for students to showcase their research projects and to share their science and innovation to STEM experts, school learners and educators.
The theme of this year's expo and competition in August was 'Science, Technology and Innovation is for everyone' which aims to demystify STEM and link it to everyday lives. This prestigious VC's STEM event is a collaborative partnership between Ms Jacqui Scheepers (the programme director), Ms Theresa Burns and Ms Stephanie de Koker: the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) team, Centre for CE and WIL and Dr Frikkie George, Mr Fernal Williams and Mr Nathan Gertse: Fundani CHED team. Students from the CPUT Community Engagement Student Academy (CESA) and STEM Club provided logistic support for the event. The event is funded by the DHET's University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG).
CPUT VC Prof. Chris Nhlapo opened the expo saying that we should promote women in STEM as when "You teach a woman, you teach a nation!". The VC further observed that the number of learners taking science and technology is declining and that prioritising STEM is needed to solve some of the challenges faced by society. Prof. Nhlapo appealed to the audience to work hard to achieve success in STEM. Director of CE and WIL, Dr Fundiswa Nofemela provided a message of support and stated that STEM could unlock innovations to benefit communities.
SLCE invited local high school learners and school educators to participate in the event where learners engaged in an interactive STEM Quizz conducted by Dr Faiq Waghid, Fundabi CHED who engaged learners by testing their knowledge of STEM. Learners received prizes for successfully answering the questions. Learners were provided with a tour of the Student STEM project exhibits to see STEM in action.
CPUT received 99 student entries for the competition and after two training workshops only 18 were shortlisted. This is an indication of the high standard of this year's competition. According to Dr George, "The expertise of the judges from neighbouring universities and Western Cape Education Department contributed to the success of the competition". The post competition reflection session between the expert judges and the STEM team, provided constructive criticism and was thought provoking and developmental.
"Events like the STEM competition is an excellent example of how collaborations with external stakeholders from government and partner universities can enhance the learning experiences for both students and school learners. These collaborations serve to strengthen STEM education within our university and external communities and speaks directly to our Vision 2030." said Scheepers.
"In this year's competition, all the student exhibitors demonstrated working prototypes and models. The STEM projects also showed a greater sense of entrepreneurship" said Dr George. The opening address by the VC and the talk by the guest speaker, Dr Andre Henney, Senior Lecturer and Deputy HOD, Department of Computer Science, University of the Western Cape, set the correct tone for the competition was was inspirational for the learners and students. Henney shared his own STEM journey and stated that "students and learners should recognise that science stimulates curiosity and creativity". The interactive engagement of Dr Faiq Waghid brought vibrant energy to the audience and kept the interest of the learners and students. Participants enjoyed the fun element that was incoporated in the STEM programme.
The CESA and STEM Club students showed their commitment to STEM development by assisting with the logistics in the run-up of the event and at the event. This was a positive example of staff student collaboration with external partnerships.
Dr George reflected that student STEM research projects were received from most of the faculties, with the majority coming from the FEBE. Problem solving and critical thinking skills were enhanced through the development of the projects on display as well as at the expo. All aspects of the event were successfully achieved with both students and learners encouraged to continue their STEM journey, at school, at university and then professionally and beyond.
The participation of the school learners enhanced the outcomes of the expo as learners could see that if they work hard, they could reach higher education and ultimately become engaged in research within the STEM fields as displayed by the student projects and the keynote speaker, Dr Henney.
"A concerted effort will be made to encourage more students to enter the competition and to provide them with the necessary support. The competition must have an even greater emphasis on entrepreneurship to help students to develop their projects for the commercial market" said Dr George. CPUT, together with external stakeholders can provide guidance and support so that students can hone entrepreneurial skills and gain access to resources and information regarding entrepreneurship. "Bringing STEM to the community and demystifying STEM will be a priority for the STEM team in the future. STEM Roadshows and involvement in the school STEM Clubs is planned for 2027 to reach more schools" said Scheepers. More engagement with WCED and school management regarding the removal of STEM subjects in schools should be encouraged. Scheepers further expressed that "More emphasis should be placed on STEM Education in schools with CPUT being well placed to be a key driver of STEM in the province".
Grade 9 learners who participated are from Spine Road High School, Mitchell's Plain, Langa High School, Langa and learners from CPUT's 2nd Chance Matric Rewrite programme, led by the SLCE Units.
Scheepers shared a video clip of an online platform which eminated from a partnership between FinFind and Western Cape Government, Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The platform was launched the previous day by the partnership and aims to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, in other words, an ecosystem enabler.
