Science Fair Recap

By Erin Dallin This year, GNS students have taken part in science fairs all over the country. GNS Stem Exhibition In December, we had our GNS STEM Exhibition featuring the Grade 9 science fair projects and various interactive booths from our local science industry. We had VicVR bring their virtual reality systems, and Mad Science did exciting science demos. From this exhibition, 15 students advanced to the Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair in April.  Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair In April, 16 students in Grades 9 through 11 represented GNS at the regional competition. From there, the top 7 projects advance to nationals (Canada Wide Science Fair, CWSF). This year, we had three students advance. Participants and results at regionals:

• Albert Yang: 2nd Overall, Advancing to CWSF; AXYS Award; BC Game Developers Innovation Award, Senior; BC Hydro – PowerSmart Award; Victoria Branch of EGBC (Senior), Honourable Mention; Rotary Club of Victoria, 1st
• Melody Cheng: 3rd Overall, Advancing to CWSF, Hajash Award, Nathan Geminiano Award, Environment Award, Division for Advancement of Women in Engineering and Geoscience Award, Uvic Women in Science Award, Dance Victoria Prize
• Riya Gandhi: 5th Overall, Advancing to CWSF, Starfish Award, NSERC Recognition Award, Ocean River Sports Prize
• Zofka Svec: 1st Senior (1st runner-up to CWSF), AXYS Technologies Sustainability Award, Senior, BC Institute of Agrologists Award, Schneider Electric Award, Pacific Opera Victoria Prize
• Lily Brice: 3rd Junior, Victoria Natural History Society Award, BC Nature Award, Junior
• Corin Wallace: 1st in Chemical Institute of Canada VI Section Award
• Shreya Gandhi: 2nd in Chemical Institute of Canada VI Section Award
• Dana Mavrow: Junior, BC Institute of Agrologists Award, Alumni Award
• Marisa Smith: Canadian Meterological & Oceanographic Society Award, Victoria Harbourcats Prize
• Morgan Macdonald: Out of the Box Award (enthusiasm and scientific spirit)
• Grace Poole: Royal BC Museum Prize
• Gabby MacPherson: Russell Books Prize
• Tara Golonka: Russell Book Prize
• Kelley Poole: Tanners Books Prize
• Anders Woodruff: Wiley Publishing Prize
• Sophie Van Cuylenborg

Sanofi Biogenius Shortly after regionals, Zofka Svec and Melody Cheng participated in the Sanofi Biogenius competition. To participate in this event, finalists must apply and be selected out of roughly 60 applicants for no more than 15 places. Being selected to participate is an honour on its own! Zofka finished the competition in 3rd Place and made some valuable connections to industry leaders in her research area of microbial fuel cells. Canada Wide Science Fair In May, Melody Cheng, Albert Yang, Riya Gandhi travelled with me and the rest of the Vancouver Island delegation to the CWSF in Ottawa. This national competition features 500 finalists from all over the country, representing the brightest science researchers in science fair competition for this school year. The trip was highlighted by sightseeing in Ottawa (Parliament, various museums, Byward Market) and an opportunity to meet and learn with so many brilliant young scientists. At the end of the week, all three earned medals! Albert won bronze for his work in designing a team of autonomous robots that can be deployed in disaster areas to search for survivors. Riya also won bronze for her work in investigating the antibacterial properties of garlic, ginseng and ginger by extracting the bioactive compounds and testing them against bacterial colonies. Finally, Melody won a silver medal for designing a system to filter bisphenol A from water using cyclodextrin/citric acid polymers. This important work could allow people to remove a potentially dangerous compound that can get into drinking water when it leaches from plastic containers. Outstanding work, Gryphons!