Local budding scientists showed off their work at the most recent city-wide science fair, held on Feb. 15.
Subjects for projects ran the gamut from producing radio telescopes and how plant growth can be affected by Wi-Fi routers to determining the downsides of social media. Students from grades 1-8 took part.
“The number of projects this year is up from last year. That, for me, is encouraging,” said teacher and event organizer Kari LeBorde.
“We have a lot of Grade 6, 7, 8 projects and a lot of others from the younger guys.”
This year’s science fair was held at the R.H. Channing Auditorium, moved from the École McIsaac School gym where last year’s event was held. The new area provides more space for projects, students, judges and the viewing public.
LeBorde was encouraged and inspired by the enthusiasm shown by the students this year.
“It’s awesome. The excitement that I get today – every year it gets better and better. We see new projects and different topics. We’re past the ‘make-a-volcano’ projects. There’s new ideas, there’s enthusiasm, there’s a lot of hard work that goes into it,” she said.
“Usually, by the time they do the second judging, they get out going, ‘Oh yeah! That was awesome!’”
The standard of work on display left LaBorde, as well as some of the judges and others in attendance, impressed.
“Kids are expanding. Their idea of science and their learning that comes from it is expanding every year,” she said.
Select category winners will have the opportunity to head to Thompson for this year’s regional science fair, set for Apr. 13-14 at École Riverside School. Winning participants will also get a chance to partake in this year’s Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa.
