The 2023 JETS Best Female and Male exhibitors were awarded the NSTC Young Scientist Award sponsored by the Zambia Academy of Sciences at the Zambia Science Conference 2023. The Best Female Young Scientist was won by Safi Chibwe a Grade 11 Kabulonga Girls Secondary School Pupil and Sungananji Sinkamba, a Kaunda Square Secondary School Grade 12 pupil was crowned winner in the Male Category.

Empowering Innovation: Safi Chibwe, Best Female Young Scientist/JETs

Safi Chibwe, a brilliant 15-year-old student from Kabulonga Girls Secondary School in Lusaka, has recently emerged as a beacon of innovation in the scientific community. With her groundbreaking project aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change, Safi has clinched the prestigious title of Best Female Young Scientist. In her quest to combat environmental challenges, Safi identified the rampant issue of poor plastic waste management as a significant contributor to climate change. Her inventive solution involves transforming plastic waste into durable plastic pavers, a creative and eco-friendly approach to reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution.

• Safi Chibwe received the prize for Best Female Young Scientist at the Science Conference Gala Dinner

commitment to environmental conservation shines through her meticulous methodology. By collecting and cleaning discarded plastic, she melts and molds the material into robust pavers, contributing to a cleaner and safer environment. Her project not only adds value to plastic waste but also serves as a powerful educational tool, highlighting the dangers of plastic pollution and offering an innovative way to repurpose plastic for the greater good.

The recognition of Safi Chibwe as the Best Female Young Scientist is a testament to her dedication, creativity, and the positive impact her invention promises. As she continues to inspire change, Safi’s work stands as a shining example of how youthful ingenuity can lead to transformative solutions for global challenges.

Transforming Education: Sungananji Sinkamba, Best Young Scientist/JETs in Computer Sciences

Motivated by the struggles students faced during the pandemic, Sungananji Sinkamba, a 17-year-old student hailing from Kaunda Square Secondary School in Lusaka, conceptualized and developed the Study Space web application under his project titled “Study Space-Experience Interactive Learning,”. Sungananji’s visionary project aims to address the challenges of online learning, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Study Space-Experience Interactive Learning” is designed to provide a dynamic online platform, fostering interactive learning experiences for both students and teachers. This innovative platform empowers teachers to create comprehensive online courses with modules, offering students access to notes, videos, quizzes, and assignments. The integration of live chatrooms enhances the interactive aspect, providing a real-time virtual space for meaningful engagement.

• Sungananji Sinkamba received the prize for Best Male Young Scientist at the Science Conference Gala Dinner

The Study Space-Experience Interactive Learning project yielded remarkable results, functioning as intended. Sungananji envisions a transformative shift in the learning experience, aligning with the demands of our evolving technological landscape.

While the web application proved remarkable, access to the internet is a prerequisite. Study Space-Experience Interactive Learning emerges as a potent tool for online education, providing students with an engaging learning experience. Sungananji recommends a broader adoption of this method by the government through the Ministry of Education, emphasizing its effectiveness and inclusivity.