The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor In an increasingly germ-conscious world, Louisa Morin was in search of answers. So the Ecole McIsaac School eighth-grader developed a science fair project to measure the effectiveness of different hand sanitizers. Now 'What You Don't Know About Your Hand Cleansers' has landed the brainy teen a spot at the 2012 Canada-Wide Science Fair. 'The best overall treatment was X3 Clean hand sanitizer,' says Louisa, summarizing her findings, 'and Dial Complete reduced the most bacteria, and harmful chemicals are not necessary to be put in hand cleansers.' Three chosen Louisa's project was among three chosen for nationals at the Northern Manitoba Regional Science Fair, held this past weekend in the Ruth Betts Community School gymnasium. Joining her in representing the region in Charlottetown, P.E.I., this May will be Sage Chervaty and Dane Wanke, both from Thompson. This will be Louisa's second consecutive trip to the national fair, having earned a spot last year for 'The Dish on Bacteria.' George Trevor, a Hapnot Collegiate science teacher who chaired the regional fair organizing committee, was impressed with Louisa's effort. See 'Deli...' on pg. 3 Continued from pg. 1 'She definitely advanced her scientific thinking for this project,' he says, comparing this year's project to last year's. 'It's a project she designed on her own and had several difficulties along the way that she had to sort of modify and adapt (to), and she put a lot of time and effort into it.' Trevor was in fact delighted with the quality and originality of each of the 49 northern projects on display over the weekend. 'There were some interesting projects, things that I hadn't seen before,' he says. 'There were some really well thought-out projects, and the young people who were there seemed really excited. I'm just hoping these kids keep pursuing science.' All winners received medals, with first-place recipients also accepting plaques. Louisa and the two Thompson students headed to nationals will have the cost of their trips covered. Here are the complete results: Grade 4 General 1st - Steven Ziehlke and Max Fitzpatrick, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Science Doesn't Suck (It Pushes and Pulls)' 2nd - Maximillian Antoszewski, Thompson, 'Does the Five-Second Rule Work?' 3rd - Cadence Eyres, Ruth Betts Community School, 'Why Do People Float Better in Salt Water?' Honourable Mention - Drevone Krate and Keithlynn Richards, Norway House, 'Rising Bannock' Life 1st - Gabriel Volkey, Thompson, 'Fuming for Fingerprints' (also named top project in 4-6 life category) 2nd - Skylar Szocs, Thompson, 'How Steady Is Your Hand?' 3rd - Chloe Reitlo, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Does Age Affect Reaction Time?' Honourable Mention - Cassidy Steele, The Pas, 'Rotting Teeth' Grade 5 General 1st - Dani Buchberger and Rachel O'Toole, The Pas, 'Whose Nose Knows Best?' (also named top project in 4-6 general category) 2nd - Mason Tower and Justin Nixon, Ruth Betts Community School, 'Everlasting Bubble' 3rd - Vishwaka Epa, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Which Liquid Has More Surface Tension?' Honourable Mention - Muilenburg Caileigh, The Pas, 'Solar System' Life 1st - Deneya Roznowski, Thompson, 'What is Dialysis?' Grade 6 General 1st - Mikaila Meehan and Tia Rose, Thompson, 'Paper Maker' 2nd - Megan Ziehlke and Jayde Boyd, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Friction: Is It For Us Or Against Us?' 3rd - Abby Janz and Rachel Hyska, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Frozen Fun' Grade 6 Life 1st - Cole Reuther, Thompson, 'Vomit' 2nd - Amara Taylor, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Which Homemade pH Tester Will Work the Best?' 3rd - Cynthia Duncan and Kendra Simpson, Norway House, 'Heart Rock' Honourable Mention - Elizabeth McDonald, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Are Cats Right Or Left Pawed?' Grades 7 and 8 Life 1st - Sage Chervaty, Thompson, 'Plant-A-Thon' (also named Best in Fair) 2nd - Casey Cooper, Ruth Betts Community School, 'Mouthwash' 3rd - Samantha Yewchuk and Kelsie Mote, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Got Milk' Computer, Math and Engineering Science 1st - Dane Wanke, Thompson, 'Are You In Tune?' 2nd - Mishak Helberg, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Stranded (How Far Can I Go)' 3rd - Ace Solomon, Norway House, 'Speakers' Physical/ Environmental 1st - Wendy Corden, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Flammability of Various Materials' 2nd - Sierra Cote-Larocque and Mikayla Pich, The Pas, 'The Lava Lamp Experiment' 3rd - Roger Clarke and Brittany Cromarty, Norway House, 'What Detergent' Health Science 1st - Louisa Morin, Ecole McIsaac School, 'What You Don't Know About Your Hand Cleansers' 2nd - Taylor Oliynyk, Ecole McIsaac School, 'Mouthwash Mania' 3rd - Brooke Johnson and Stephanie Novosel, Ecole McIsaac School, 'The Effect of Colour on Blood Pressure'
