The culmination of this campaign, the 2014 Hip2B2 3M Innovation Challenge Final, in which learners from these schools have entered as pairs, solutions-based innovations of their own, for the title of Young Innovators of the Year, will take place at 3M South Africa’s Head Office in Woodmead, Johannesburg, on Thursday, 16 October.

The 2014 finalists are comprised of three pairs of Grade 10 learners, one each from Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Finalists were required to design a new idea or solution in four broad thematic categories: how to stay safe; how to stay healthy; how to get from place to place; and how to make everyday tasks easier.

From Moletsane High School, Soweto, Gauteng, Philadelphia Mogagabe and Florence Monaheng have devised a pothole filler solution to counter the increasing deterioration of South Africa’s road networks. The ‘Philorence Pothole Filler’ uses a clay, silicon and coal pigment, as an adhesive binder solution to provide an even, seamless repair to existing potholes, while halting the further disintegration of the road subsurface.

Thami Hoza and Bokamoso Molale from Simon’s Town High School in the Western Cape, have designed a shower-nozzle solution to provide warm showers to those who do not have access to adequate geyser-heated water. The ‘Hot Nozzle’ is a portable, battery-operated shower attachment that heats dispersed cold water through an internal heating element through the conversion of chemical potential energy.

Conceived in response to the high air pollution produced by Richards Bay’s industry, Sulakhe Nhassengo and Christiaan De Jager, from Durban High School in KwaZulu-Natal, have designed the solar-powered Oxygen Manufacturing Apparatus (O.M.A.). The O.M.A transforms diatomic gasses, most notably CO2, into harmless gas and fuels through electrolysis for a more sustainable environmental footprint.

The learners will present their innovations to an industry-derived panel of judges, including Gunter Halfar, technical manager of 3M South Africa, who will assess their submissions based on creativity, science skills, good communication and confidence, and general presentation skills. A group of invited guests, numbering between 60 and 80 people, will also be in attendance, and will be able to engage with the learners through a Q&A forum. The winning pair will be awarded the prestigious title of SA Young Innovators for 2014, and receive prizes, including R1000 cash.

The finalists will gain exposure to 3M’s wealth of intellectual and product resources. Learners will be able to receive valuable input and guidance from nominated 3M mentors. Utilising the Idea 2 Product (i2p™) facility at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), they will receive personalised guidance and mentoring in the process of transforming an idea from paper into a workable manufactured item by using rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing techniques.

Designed to inspire innovation in everyday life amongst South Africa’s youth, the Hip2B2 3M Innovation Challenge has been backed by the Department of Education and lauded by Derek Hanekom, former Minister of Science and Technology (currently Minister of Tourism).

“3M we’re taking science to the communities, providing less fortunate young minds with the opportunities to think big; to persuade youths that even extraordinary inventions begin with humble ideas of problem solving,” explains Robyn O’Leary, marketing excellence and strategic planning manager, Corporate Marketing, 3M South Africa. “We try to illustrate to learners that 3M’s more than 55 000 products largely started as innovative solutions to a problem. At the very root of it, we are encouraging learners to pursue careers in mathematics, science and engineering fields, and instil a culture of innovation across South Africa’s youth.”

Perhaps the latest successor of South Africa’s long line of innovators will be amongst the Hip2B2 3M Innovation Challenge finalists of 2014.