Connor Kinnes is a Grade 11 student at Elkanah House High School.
South African high school learner Connor Kinnes, 17, has achieved monumental international success, sweeping both the First Place and Best Project awards in the Engineering category at the prestigious 1923 International Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Fair (IMSEF) in İzmir, Türkiye.
Kinnes, a Grade 11 student at Elkanah House High School in Cape Town, was part of a three-member South African delegation that secured outstanding results at the international competition, held from 1 to 6 June 2026. The young scientist's gold medal-winning entry, “Project Pathfinder: Design and Optimisation of a Static Test Rocket Motor,” focused on enhancing the performance, reliability, and efficiency of small-scale rocket propulsion systems through meticulous iterative design and testing.
Reflecting on his double win, Kinnes described the moment as a deserving conclusion to sustained effort. "Winning felt like a special moment where the countless hours of hard work paid off," he said. "It felt akin to attaining the mark you aimed and worked towards." Kinnes offered encouragement to future participants, urging them to remain committed to project refinement. “Always keep investing in your project through continuous refinement. The long-term benefits of developing scientific skills will pay off later. Always believe that you have what it takes to succeed in your research efforts, even when times are tough,” he advised.
