Inspiring creative design, sustainable solutions, and original concepts, the 2024 Laager Schools Design and Laager Schools Science competition succeeded in unearthing the incredible talent of the Western Cape youth. These competitions formed part of the WCED curriculum which uses the platform STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics). On Saturday 16 November at Sandbaai Hall in Hermanus, competitors got to showcase their hard work and incredible creations to the public, with this year’s competition winners announced.
The science and design competition are run by Laager Rooibos in partnership with The Creative Space, and TDL Advertising. Commenting on the drive behind these contests, Laager Marketing Manager Candice Sessions, said: “Our youth have such incredible potential in the science and art sectors and we wanted to provide a platform to not only support the development in these two subject areas – with a particular focus on South Africa’s homegrown Rooibos tea – but to give them an audience as well. We’d like to congratulate all the participants on their hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking, and we encourage them to continue breaking barriers throughout their educational careers.”
For the Laager Schools Design competition, learners were encouraged to think of ways to creatively reflect the Laager colours and logo which would then be displayed in 2D visual communication designs and 3D product designs. The competition, which started with 3 schools in 2022, welcomed 9 schools in 2024 with 42 learners displaying their inspired ideas at the event.
Two schools from Hermanus participated in the Laager Schools Science competition: Hawston Secondary School and Northcliff House College. The Grade 9 learners who participated were tasked with finding innovative ways to recycle Laager Rooibos tea for home or garden use. They were given funding for testing equipment, a refurbished Wendy House for a science laboratory, and extra classes to attend, all of which were overseen by a science teacher. The children embraced the task of finding sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for reusing this healthy product.
Running from 17 July to 18 September, the competition saw participants outline research questions, plan methodology, set up experiments, monitor and record results, as well as write up a comprehensive report – including photographs, tables, and graphs – which was displayed at Saturday’s event.
2024 Laager Schools Design and Laager Schools Science competition results
The judges – Taylum Meyer (Local Life), Lee-Ann Pringle (DCES Visual Art and Design, Western Cape Education Department), Frieda Loyd (Hermanus Tourism) and Lindsay Leppan (TDL Advertising representing Joekels) – were tasked with assessing each project and selecting the final competition winners in each category. Every entrant received a certificate of participation, with the following earning themselves Laager Rooibos hampers, cash prizes, and design kits for top place finishes.
Science Research Competition
1st place: Vision Nemulodi from Northcliff House College
Handmade Design Category
1st place: Jaco van Staden from Hermanus High School
2nd place: Gabriela Oaten from Milnerton High School
3rd place: Leyra Jacob from Hermanus High School
Digital Design Category
1st place: Milah Derks from Parel Vallei High School
2nd place: Nikayla Eales from Parel Vallei High School
3rd place: Casper Wepenar from Hoërskool PJ Olivier
Special Mentions
Ahluma Tongo and Qpkalawa Phelokazi from Chris Hani High School
Ivy Kim from Hermanus High School
Skyela Smith from Milnerton High School
Laager Rooibos has a range of Pure Rooibos and flavoured Rooibos teas, including a range designed specifically for kids, under the Tea4Kidz brand. To access a range of healthy recipes, advice and tips, visit the Joekels website at www.joekels.co.za, or @LaagerRooibosTea on Facebook and Instagram.