Listening to these lovely young scientists explain their projects. What a fantastic day!
The Calgary Youth Science Fair, the largest science fair in Canada, is being held this week at the Olympic Oval. This is the fourth straight year that the University of Calgary has hosted it – a great partnership. The Fair is open to students in grades five through 12 as a means to promote their interests in science. 1,000 students from schools in and around Calgary competed for awards and the chance to travel to the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Along with Dr. Cydnee Seneviratne (associate dean, Faculty of Nursing) and Amanda Black (PhD student, Faculty of Kinesiology), I had the opportunity at noon yesterday to address the participants. We each spoke to hundreds of participating students about the cool things that are happening in the world of science. We reinforced the message that science is important.
I returned to the Fair this morning to tour the exhibits, chat with participants and present floor awards (gold, silver and bronze medals). The students radiated confidence as they explained their research projects to me. And their parents, standing within earshot and snapping photos, beamed with pride.
Of course I had to visit this exhibit. Such a pleasure meeting these brilliant students.
This afternoon, as part of the formal Awards Ceremony, I presented several prestigious awards to students on behalf of the University of Calgary. The Chancellor’s Club Bursary went to Robert Craig Fiedorek for his project on Capturing the Value of Melody. Besides a beautiful trophy, Robert has won a $2500 bursary toward his future education at the University of Calgary. When he graduates from high school, he will be a welcomed to our campus as a budding scientist.
Equally rewarding for me was meeting the sponsor organizations (BP, Devon and many others) and adult volunteers. These people ‘get’ experiential education and are passionate about encouraging tomorrow’s leaders. I had the pleasure to re-acquaint myself with Mr. Terry Allen. The first time that I met Terry was in the late 1980s at the old Calgary Science Centre on 11 St. S.W. Three decades later, Terry is still involved in youth education. Remarkable! In fact, he currently serves as the Director of the Science Fair. The flame of discovery burns eternal in the hearts of all the community members, graduate students, fair alumni (all volunteers) who run the Calgary Youth Science Fair. What unsung heroes. What great Calgarians.
In just a few weeks, 500 top young scientists from across Canada will gather for the 2015 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The CWSF marks the culmination of the science fair season. The top 13 students at the Calgary Youth Science Fair have been invited to the ‘big show’ in Fredericton. I wish them success. They will represent our city well.
Science fairs held in schools, regions and nationally are part of the Canadian educational experience. Participants experience the thrill of discovery and become well-versed in the scientific method. It is the right thing for me to meet and encourage as many of these future science leaders as possible.
