Over 400 elementary and high school students are gathering at Brandon University today to participate in the annual Western Manitoba Science Fair to share what they've been researching over the past few months.
Students from Grades 1 to 12 from across the greater Westman Region have already proved themselves in their schools and as top contenders in their age group they're now shoulder to shoulder with like minded kids who have a passion for Science, Technology and Math.
"It's all about curiosity and trying to solve a real-life problem or question that they've come across," shares event coordinator Charlotte McConnell. "You can see kids get that spark as they start their research, move through the steps of the scientific method, and create their projects. Seeing them present their work to the judges is definitely the highlight."
A host of adults from the scientific and business communities become judges at the Science Fair where students explain their projects and field any questions the judge might have.
"Some kids are more into it than others, but by the time they get to the regional fair, most are super excited to show their projects to the judges, go through everything they've done, and share their results. Presenting their work and getting feedback from members of the public is a valuable experience," explains McConnell.
"The interaction between the students and the judges truly is the highlight of the day," she adds.
From the Grade one projects that might include the favorite vinegar/baking soda volcano to ways to mitigate noise pollution in the middle years, could go as in depth a subject as the study of dementia and brain health.
"It's really neat to kind of walk up and down the rows and like you say, see the different variety of topics, there's a lot of projects on environmental things like coming up with solutions to environmental problems and there are a few inventions each year that people have made to solve a problem. And there are cancer-related projects as well, things like that."
The morning is spent with the judges and the afternoon is meant to have some fun with Science!
Students in grades 1 to 4 participate in the Science Olympics, a series of fun science activities for the kids, organized by the 'Let's Talk Science group' at Brandon University.
Students in grades 5 to 12, are brought to Brandon U's science building in shifts and participate in various science presentations. They get to explore more of the university and attend different presentations, including astronomy at the observatory, biology, chemistry, and psychology.
After these activities, the award ceremonies are held at the Brandon U Healthy Living Center gymnasium.
The public is welcome to attend the Science Fair for 2-4pm.
The grades 1 to 4 award ceremony starts at 4:30 PM and lasts about an hour, where medals and special awards will be presented. The grade 5 to 12 award ceremony starts at 6:30 PM, following the same format.
At the end of the grade 5 to 12 award ceremony, the Best of Fair winner will be announced as the top project. They also have runner-up projects, and the top four students from grades 7 to 12 will be sent to the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
The Awards Ceremony will be live streaming on their Facebook Page HERE! Visit their website HERE for more!
The Canada Wide Science Fair will be held in Fredericton, Halifax where the students will be spending the first week in June at the University of New Brunswick.