Victor Mecoamere

Victor Mecoamere

Just more than a week is all the time left for Gauteng high schools to take part in the 2008 Smart Young Mindz Challenge.

This science and technology literacy project seeks to stimulate young people's interest and competitive participation.

Originally the closing date was May 28 but that was extended to July 22 to allow more schools to enter. A total of R100000 is up for grabs to teams and schools gaining the top three spots:

lA whopping R50000 will go to the winning team, with each member receiving R8000 plus a R1000 cellphone. Their school will get R5000.

lMembers of the second winning team will get R4000 each plus a cellphone worth R1000. Their school will get R5000.

lFor the third winning team, each person will get R2000 plus a cellphone worth R1000 and their school will get R5000.

Teams submit smart business ideas. They must investigate problems in their communities and generate ideas for products or services that will fill a gap in their local markets by:

lDeveloping a slang dictionary;

lHighlighting Gauteng's reputation as one of the most politically and culturally unique regions in the country;

lComing up with alternative power sources; and

lProviding water recycling solutions for residential areas where pollution is a challenge.

Schools that want to enter Smart Young Mindz should contact their nearest GDE district office;

lPhone Blue IQ on 011-689-1600 or

lVisit www.blueiq.co.za.