DWAF, in collaboration with the Stockholm Water Foundation in Sweden, co-ordinates the SAYWP annually. The SAYWP was initiated in 1998. The purpose was to encourage learners to take an interest in issues of water resource management specifically. It is also to stimulate learners to participate and enjoy scientific and technological subjects.
The competition is modeled on and organized in collaboration with the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. The Swedish competition is an annual event and has been part of Stockholm’s Water Festival since 1994. In 1997 an international award was made available. Every year Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria presents the prize to winner of winning entry. A number of countries compete in the competition.
An individual over-all winner in the South African competition is sponsored to compete in the international competition in Sweden every year.
The sponsors are the University of KwaZulu-Natal; Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology, Water Research Council, ESKOM EXPO for Young Scientists, Sedibeng and Bloem Water. The sponsors’ logos are displayed on all SAYWP documents.
The focus is water and sanitation and associated projects.
 Aims and Objectives
- To promote the protection of natural resources of our country
- To encourage and empower the youth to participate actively in community based water resource management
- To enhance interest of the youth and expose them to science and technology
- To motivate the youth to pursue water management careers
- To provide opportunities to the youth to interact with their peers, and also to share knowledge and experience related to water and environment; nationally and internationally
The learners develop projects, which are aimed at addressing water related problems. They conduct research, come up with recommendations and develop models that can be used to solve the identified water problems.
Who can participate?
- Individuals or groups of not more than three
- High School learners (Grade 10 - 12) not older than 20 years
- Learners who are innovative and passionate aobut water and the invironment and who have a special interest in science and technology.
The competitions are therefore structured for communities and the schools to benefit, not only through participation in the project, but also through positive results flowing from these projects.
Categories
There are two categories for the competition.
- Awareness Category aims at creating awareness of water to the well-being of people and the environment
- Invention Category aims at the invention of novel or simple techniques and technology to solve water quantity and quality problems in ways appropriate for the environment where the problems happen.
It is essential that research and scientific methodologies are used.
NB. Previous winner/s projects can be used as a reference. They will be available on request.
Which projcts are appropriate?
Learners are expected to develop projects/models that will address or solve water related problems in their respective areas/communities. A problem should be identified, action should be taken and a model or invention should be developed to solve the identified problem. The following topics are suitable for the competition:
- Water Awareness Category
- Social and historical aspects of water use and conservation
- Water resource quality assessment
- Water resources management
- Communication and information campaigns on water resource quality
- Community-based water resource management
- Health and hygiene (sanitation).
- Water Invention Category
- Water harvesting and treatment processes or techniques
- Water quality assessment methods or guidelines
- Water saving devices.
[Note: This list is not prescriptive and entrants may develop a project with a theme they chose themselves.]
Conditions for enrollment
- Water Awareness Category
- Your project must have a clear purpose or an aim.
- You must indicate how the project will promote awareness of the water environment.
- The principles of the awareness drive must be explained. In the case of school projects, teamwork and the number of students participating in the project will be recognised.
- Recognition will be given for co-operation with other schools to create networks of people working together for water and resource awareness and protection.
- Water Invention Category
- Your invention must have a clear purpose or aim.
- You must indicate by whom, where and how the invention will be used.
- Where possible, local and easily available materials should be used.
- The projects must be aimed at improving the quality of life through water resource management.
- The focus can be on improving water environment problems or improving water management in schools, communities or water basins (water catchments).
- All projects have to use a research oriented approach.
How to enroll?
- Complete the registration form
- Applications can be posted, faxed or hand delivered to the nearest office of the Department of Education (Curriculum Support Co-ordinators) or the regional offices of DWAF
- Call the nearest office of DWAF for more information
- Receipt of application forms will be acknowledged.
Project Format
Learners will be expected to hand in projects following the format below and the project document must not be more than 20 pages inclusive of illustrations and graphs
- Personal information of learner/s
- Introduction
- Background of the project
- Aims and objectives of the study or project
- Methodology
- Results and analysis
- Recommendations
Judging criteria
Applications will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Relevance
- Creativity and originality
- Ability to define a problem
- Research procedure
- Knowledge about the subject
- Practical skills
- Presentation.
Selection of process
An adjudication committee, which is composed of representatives from various institutions, will judge the projects based on the criteria below.
A selection process will take place at provincial and national levels. Provincial winners will be the national finalists.
Selection of process
An adjudication panel, which is composed of representatives from various institutions, will judge the project based on the above criteria. The selection process takes place at district, provincial and national level. |
