Young scientists prepare for regional fairs

North Bay Regional Science Fair
News Release

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The 46th Annual North Bay Regional Science Fair, to be held Wednesday, April 2nd, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the Education Centre gymnasium, is rapidly approaching. Now is the time to put the final touches on science fair projects and register for the Fair online at www.nbrsf.com.

Every year, over 500,000 young Canadians participate in project-based science – as many as play hockey. And during March, Youth Science Month, thousands will be showing their work, and competing to earn a spot at the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF), in May, hosted this year in Ottawa, Ontario.

YSF Canada Chairman, Lorne Heslop stated, “By supporting young innovators today, in the same way we recognize the achievements of our young athletes, we can all encourage the discoveries and innovations that will create a prosperous, sustainable tomorrow.”

All Junior, Intermediate and Senior students from grade 7 to 12 are encouraged to compete in any of the Life Science, Physical Science, Engineering, Biotechnology, Earth and Environmental Science, and Computer Science categories. Many awards are available for all divisions. The top three projects will be selected to attend the CWSF 2008, where there are numerous scholarships, bursaries, trips and cash awards available. For projects that excel at a National level, there is the opportunity join Team Canada the following year at the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair held in the United States.

The following outlines Canada-Wide Science Fair requirements under each of the categories:

A Biotechnology project is the application of knowledge of biological systems to solve a problem, create a product or provide a service. Biotechnology projects fall into one of the three subject fields; crop development, animal science, and microbials; A Computing and Mathematical Science project deals with computing, mathematical models, innovative software and hardware design, or the use of math to solve theoretical problems:

An Earth & Environmental Science project has as its focus either a topic relating to planetary processes or the relationships of organisms to those processes, or between or among organisms: An Engineering project applies to physical science knowledge to solve a problem or achieve a purpose; A Life Science project examines some aspect of the life or life style of an organism: A Physical Science project studies an abiotic phenomenon in order to understand the relation of identified factors, perhaps including a cause and effect relationship. Two new categories, Automotive and Environmental Innovation - are interdisciplinary divisions, open to projects in any of the regular divisions, and judged on the second day of judging. The Environmental Innovation division, presented by VIA Rail, is a challenge to tackle important environmental issues by combining the skills of an artist with those of a scientist. For the first time, Canada’s young artists will be welcomed into the fair as collaborators with our country’s top young scientists! Top projects from the EI division will be showcased at VIA Rail’s larger venture, EnviroExpo.

The schedule of events begins with registration and project set-up from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. followed by judging from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. An awards ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. The public is encouraged to view the displays of our brilliant young scientists.

For more information about contact North Bay Regional Science Fair Chair, Mike Pearsall at 497-8489, or Media Chair, Susan Terry at 752-5120.

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