Science fair will be virtual event
The 52nd Peterborough Regional Science Fair will be held virtually from April 6-9 for students from kindergarten to Grade 12 for projects in physical and biological science. Every year there are about 350 participants from the Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB, Trillium Lakelands DSB, Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington CSB, private schools and home-schooled students.
“The science fair is a great opportunity to be inquisitive and have some fun,” says Jill Emery, school outreach co-ordinator. “Science is all around you. If you are looking for ideas, just spend 24 hours thinking about what you see, hear, touch, taste, and smell — be aware of your surroundings. You or someone else will always have a question to be answered. Why not brainstorm at a family dinner or set up a Zoom call with family and friends?”
The first fair was held in 1970 at Trent University where it has been held every year during the first week of April. This year it will be held virtually using a similar platform that the virtual fair Youth Science Canada used in May 2020. The Canada Wide Science Fair will be virtual as well.
Past entrants include Jacob Bowman from Holy Cross with his project “Can freshwater stream invertebrates adapt to road salt?”; Shaun Passery of St. Catherine C.E.S. with his project “Slick sorbents for ocean oil spills: using hair, wool and jute to naturally clean up oil in salt water”; and Abbie Jackson and Cora Schultz from St. Catherine C.E.S. with their project “Cool constellations.”
Emery says there are many advantages for students entering the fair, such as learning the scientific method, developing creative and unique thought skills, using math and literacy to interpret and convey results, using media experience to make a video, improving oral presentation skills, gain self confidence, building resumes, meeting peers who like science, and more.
“This is one of few extracurricular activities offered this year due to COVID-19 cancellations,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to show leadership and be enriched. And this year because it’s not being held in person you get to make a video!”
Prizes will be awarded in all categories and divisions along with special awards, including university scholarships, and cash and virtual door prizes worth $15,000. There will be Grand Prize winners (grades 7 — 12 eligible) who will attend the Canada-Wide Science Fair Virtual from May 17 to 21. For a full description of prizes, visit https://www.peterboroughsciencefair.com/experience.
“The judges will watch the videos and read the project descriptions that are uploaded onto the Peterborough Regional Science Fair website,” Emery says. “After the judging is finished ‘virtual’ ribbons will be displayed on the projects and the site will be open to the public starting April 6.”
A virtual awards ceremony will be held on April 9. Registration and project uploads will be open at the end of February. Check the NEWS tab on the website for updates about exact dates.
One notable past science fair participant was Adam Noble, founder of Noblegen. While a student at Lakefield Secondary School, he entered for the first time with a project that demonstrated a micro-organism called Eulenga that could filter Nanosilver particles from the Otonabee River. In 2013, he won the top award, Best of Fair, at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Shortly after, he founded Noblegen when he discovered Eulenga can also produce nutrient rich proteins that can be extracted and added to food.
Registration opens in late February at peterboroughsciencefair.com. Registration closes March 23 at 4 p.m.
For more information, email PRSFair2020@gmail.com.