Summerland teen scores invite to science fair in Ottawa, meets PM
Always the critical thinker, Summerland student Grant Mansiere was understandably skeptical earlier this month when he received an invitation to attend the first ever Prime Minister’s Science Fair in Ottawa.
But the message was followed up a few days later by a call from someone at the National Research Council, and by Tuesday he and 29 other students from across Canada were on Parliament Hill for the event.
Most of the participants were, like Mansiere, gold-medal winners from this year’s Canada Wide Science Fair.
Mansiere’s project examined two traits of trembling aspen trees that allow the species to flourish in large stands, despite the apparently inherent flaw of being genetically identical.
Mansiere’s research showed the leaves flutter in the wind in such numbers and with such force that they can repel, and even fling off, insect invaders. The leaves are also hydrophobic, meaning water beads off of them and carries away with it mold and other harmful substances.
The project was explained in greater detail in an overview sent to Ottawa in advance of this week’s fair, and it was clear to Mansiere the prime minister had done his homework.
“He knew a little bit about my project in advance, which I’m super-appreciative of, because it’s a short amount of time and often these projects can get to be quite complicated,” said Mansiere.
“He had some good questions and he seemed interested in everyone’s projects. It was very nice.”
Mansiere, who follows politics, said meeting Trudeau topped any of the medals he’s won at science fairs.
“He’s quite a charismatic prime minister a lot of people would like to meet, and I’m very grateful that I got the chance to spend some time with him and tell him about trembling aspen,” said Mansiere.
Equally thrilling for the Grade 12 student was meeting federal Science Minister Kristy Duncan and Mona Nemer, who was appointed Tuesday as Canada’s chief science adviser.
Mansiere hasn’t decided where he’ll seek post-secondary education next fall, but is leaning towards the business program at Western University in London, Ont.
He’s also considering one final science fair project on waterways and flooding, a subject about which he and other Trout Creek residents gained some first-hand knowledge this spring.
“That’s what piqued my interest,” said Mansiere, “and I’m just starting to read about that.”