From regional gold to national bronze, four students from three Central Interior schools have been formally rewarded for their creative and innovative science fair projects.
The Central Interior BC Science Exhibition started this spring with 54 students competing in the BC/Yukon Virtual Science Fair 2021 this spring. Judges selected five projects and six students as gold medalists to qualify to compete in the virtual Canada Wide Science Fair 2021 in Ottawa this past week.
In the senior category, Westside Academy Grade 11 student Michaela Stillwell and Grade 9 student Antonia Tannert won national bronze for their work in the project “Straws: Impact and Solution.”
Stillwell and Tannert were among the 10 finalists picked for the Ted Rogers Innovation Award which highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of projects which demonstrate commercial potential. They have earned a full scholarship to participate in the weeklong Youth Science Canada/York University STEM (science, engineering, technology and mathematics) Entrepreneur Bootcamp in August.
Alex Lea of Burns Lake, a Grade 9 student at Lakes District Secondary School, won bronze for his project: “Soil Remineralization – Improving Bio-Mass and Nutrient Levels in Pasture Grasses.” Lea also was chosen for the Nutrients for Life Foundation Award worth $750.
The other national bronze medal went to Ronan Blattner, a Grade 11 student at Nechako Valley Secondary School in Vanderhoof, for his project: “Behavioural Changes and Communication in Formica Fusca Colonies.”
The national event included 340 students from 107 regions of Canada.
Two other students represented the Central Interior and received many positive responses to their projects, but did not receive medals.
Chloe Sherry, a Grade 7 homeschool student from Prince George entered a junior level project: “SOAR and Mountain of Cookies,” while Jemma Blattner, Grade 9 student at Nechako Valley, was in the intermediate competition with her project,
“RoundUp Those Worms.”
“Although the fair was virtual, the finalists were able to take part in STEM activities, hear inspirational speakers, meet other young scientists in the chat rooms and at the virtual events, and learn about STEM opportunities for youth across Canada,” said Anjula Corbin, chair of the Central Interior BC Science Exhibition Society.
“They took part in virtual pin trading, and shared ideas and encouragement with other competitors. All said it was a worthwhile experience and all said they have plans to take part in science fairs in the future. They are an inspiration to all of us for their perseverance, their creativity and their enthusiasm.”
