Organizers are pleased with how the Canada-Wide Science Fair was attended. The event was held at the University of Regina.
The best project award, as well as the best senior project, went to Colette Benko of Calgary, for her look at pediatric cancer therapy. Another student from Calgary, Crystal Radinski, won the best intermediate project for her look at dementia. The best junior project went to Danish Mahmood of Thames Valley, Ont., for a Wireless Interconnected Non-Invasive Triage System. As well, dozens of scholarships were provided from various universities for the top finishers. Foundations, private firms and other organizations also provided scholarships.
The 460 students participating in the Science Fair showed off their projects in the Main Gym in the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport.
But there was more than just science for the 460 students from Grades 7 to 12 at this science fair. “They meet folks from all over the country of their own age, get to see and experience the people and culture of the University, the city and the province,” said Dr. Mark Brigham, professor in the Department of Biology and an associate chief judge at the Science Fair. “Economically it brought money in the form of tourism to our city, but I think more importantly it opened the eyes of many of the visitors to what a nice place Regina is and how friendly people from here are,” he said.
Brigham said some of these students may decide to attend the University of Regina. “The vast majority have never been here – they are likely encouraged to return – perhaps as students. At the very least, the U of R is now on the map for them. We got to show off our school to more than 450 young people. The comments I got from judges was how much they genuinely enjoyed interacting with these very bright folks.”
Next year’s Canada-Wide Science Fair will be held in Ottawa, and Brigham has some advice for organizers: “Get at it, because it’s a huge undertaking.”
