Lusaka Province JETS Fair Concludes with Outstanding Achievements by Learners
The Lusaka Province Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) Fair has officially come to a close after five days of exhibitions, innovation, and scientific problem-solving.
Held at Chongwe Secondary School, the event brought together learners from across the province to showcase their talent and creativity in various scientific disciplines.
Nine learners from the senior secondary category emerged as overall first-place winners and were awarded medals, along with full scholarships sponsored by the Zambia Research and Development Center (ZRDC). These scholarships will enable them to pursue programmes of their choice at the Information and Communications University.
Four districts secured first-place positions namely Lusaka, Rufunsa, Kafue, and Luangwa with Lusaka District taking the lead by winning in six different categories.
Among the Lusaka District winners were Mtonga Mtonga Grace, aged 17, from St Patrick’s Secondary School, who excelled in the Computer Science and Software Innovation category, Lubuto Twange, aged 16, from Kabulonga Boys, who topped the Agricultural Science Innovation category and Ngambi Ackim from St Francis, who was awarded first place in the Mathematics Innovation category.
Other winners from Lusaka included Shamfwesa D. Jessy, aged 17, from Highland Secondary School, who led in the Chemistry Innovations category, Saleya Walubita, aged 17, from Kamwala Secondary School, who won in Environmental Sustainable Development; and Mofya Evans, aged 14, from Chakunkula Secondary School, who was awarded for excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
In Rufunsa District, Kunda Memory, aged 16, from Rufunsa Girls Technical School, won first position in the Food Science and Technology Innovations category.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Banda of Feira Secondary School, representing Luangwa District, received top honours in the Physics and Renewable Energy Innovations category, while 15-year-old Mwape Chimpampa of Naboye Secondary School in Kafue District secured first place in the Medicine and Health category.
The junior category was also well represented, with Faith Mwenya Malisawa, a Grade 3 pupil from Kafue District, receiving first position and a certificate of recognition.
Melody Chibola from Sunshine School was awarded first place in the Mathematics Innovation category.
Participants who placed second and third across various categories received certificates of recognition for their notable contributions.
Many of the winners expressed their gratitude and encouraged their peers to remain committed to their goals, stressing the importance of self-belief and perseverance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on behalf of the Lusaka Provincial Education Officer (PEO), Mr Milandile Sylvester, SESO Mathematics for Lusaka Province, expressed appreciation to sponsors and partners for their support.
He praises the efforts of administrators and teachers and congratulated all participating learners, urging those who did not receive awards not to give up, noting that success often comes with continued effort.
Mr Sylvester declared the Lusaka Province JETS Fair officially closed, encouraging learners to continue nurturing their innovative projects with determination and resilience.
Meanwhile, a researcher in Environment and Agriculture at the Zambia Research and Development Center, Mr Danny Musenge congratulated the learners for their outstanding achievements.
He echoes the importance of such initiatives in promoting innovation and scientific inquiry among young people.
Mr Musenge notes that ZRDC’s partnership with the National Science Centre through the JETS Regional Fair demonstrates a shared commitment to using science and technology as tools for sustainable development.
He further states that Zambia’s youth represent a powerful yet underutilised resource whose ingenuity will be vital to the country’s future growth and competitiveness.