Rainbow students earn top honours to compete at Canada-Wide Science Fair

Six young scientists from Rainbow Schools who wowed the judges at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair held on April 6 and 7, 2019 will represent our community at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton, New Brunswick from May 11 to 17, 2019. They will be among 500 young scientists showcasing their amazing works of discovery and innovation at the national level. Another young scientist will compete at the international level.

Brendon Matusch, a Grade 11 student at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, captured “best in fair” for his project called “Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments”. Brendon is one of eight students from across Canada chosen to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair that will be held in Phoenix Arizona at the same time as the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Brendon Matusch established different methods of machine learning, a category of artificial intelligence, to automatically optimize classifiers to properly identify dark matter. At the Sudbury Regional Science Fair, Brendon Matusch captured First Place, Senior Division, Computer Sciences, the Founding Members’ Award, the Laurentian University Computer Science or Mathematics Award, the Bharti School of Engineering Award, the Laurentian University Physics Award, and the Laurentian University Scholarship Award.

Edward Xiong and Jordan Fergani, Grade 8 students at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, developed “ATLAST” (Auto Temperature Live Alert System Thermometer), a device that uses thermal technology and motion cameras to monitor children who are left alone in a vehicle. When the temperature in the vehicle reaches a dangerous level, an alert is sent to the parent/guardian’s phone, so they can attend to the child. The ATLAST cameras also allow parents to watch children inside a vehicle from a cell phone. For their efforts, Edward Xiong and Jordan Fergani garnered First Place, Junior Division, Life Sciences, the Bill and Olga Roman Award, and the Bharti School of Engineering Award.

Grade 10 student, Nethra Wickramasinghe of Lockerby Composite School, developed a non-invasive wireless system that aims to treat neuropsychiatric disorders with a wearable biomedical sensor and a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) application. The sensor system compares physical symptoms with mental health by monitoring the user’s heart rate, hormone/sweat gland activity and skin temperature. Based on symptoms after a period of four weeks, the user is diagnosed with a major depressive disorder or general anxiety disorder, and is directed to corresponding treatment. CBT allows the user to identify and replace maladaptive thoughts and behaviours, and trains users to improve long-term mental health. For her project “Neuropsychiatric Interconnected Wearable System using CBT,” Nethra Wickramasinghe received First Place, Intermediate Division, Engineering, the Biotechnology Award, and the Ted Rogers Innovation Award.

Last year, Kerry Yang, now a Grade 9 student at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, discovered that dandelion root extracts have beneficial effects on heavy metal-induced antibiotic resistance. This year, she explored the elemental composition of dandelion root to determine the components responsible for reversing the resistance. This will help her determine if an edible cure is possible in the future. For her project, “Weeding Out the Secret to Antibiotic Resistance,” Kerry Yang took home First Place, Intermediate Division, Life Sciences, the Jack Ceming Innovation Award, and the Laurentian University Biology Award.

Trevor Meek, a Grade 8 student at Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, researched the “Development of a Timed On-Demand Wireless Heated Washer Fluid System.” In an effort to improve driver safety, he created a device that tackles automotive windshield de-icing and eliminates streaking from fluid. Similar to a rear defogger, the timing system automatically shuts off the heater after five minutes to avoid any potential hazards. Trevor Meek garnered First Place, Junior Division, Engineering, and the Milman Industries Equipment Innovation Award.

Adam Selalmatzidis, a Grade 7 student from Northeastern Elementary School, explored the most economically and environmentally efficient way to design and package a pizza in his project “It’s Hip to be Square: Shaping a Solution to Waste Reduction”. A round pizza in a square box leaves underutilized space in all four corners of the box. With a square pizza in a square box, the box can be shrunk by 16.39 per cent. This reduces cardboard, trees, electricity, water, oil, and carbon dioxide emissions. Adam Selalmatzidis took home First Place, Junior Division, Physical Sciences, the Clean Air Sudbury Award, the McEwen School of Architecture Award, the Laurentian University School of Environment Award and the Ontario Power Generation Environmental Award.

“We are very proud of all students for their outstanding achievement,” said Norm Blaseg, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board. “Our young scientists were the best in the fair.” He added: “Our community will be well represented at the national level.”

Rainbow District School Board congratulates all Sudbury Regional Science Fair winners.

2019 SUDBURY REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS FROM RAINBOW SCHOOLS

SUDBURY REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR REGULAR (DIVISIONAL) AWARDS

JUNIOR DIVISION – COMPUTER SCIENCES

First

ATLAST
Edward Xiong
Jordan Fergani
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

SENIOR DIVISION – COMPUTER SCIENCES

First
Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments
Brendon Matusch
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

JUNIOR DIVISION – ENGINEERING

First
Development Of A Timed On-Demand Wireless Heated Washer Fluid System
Trevor Meek
Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION – ENGINEERING

First
Neuropsychiatric Interconnected Wearable System using CBT
Nethra Wickramasinghe
Lockerby Composite School

JUNIOR DIVISION – LIFE SCIENCES

First
Colour Influencing the Perception of Taste
Luke Vrbanic
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Fourth
Does Screen Time on Social Media Affect Teens’ Mental Health
Sophia Oommen and Samantha Bourdon
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION – LIFE SCIENCES

First
Weeding Out the Secret to Antibiotic Resistance
Kerry Yang
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

JUNIOR DIVISION – PHYSICAL SCIENCES

First
It’s Hip to be Square: Shaping a Solution to Waste Reduction
Adam Selalmatzidis
Northeastern Elementary School

Second
Lube G vs. Lube R
Callum Baron
Alexander Public School

Third
All Pumped Up
Liam Binks
Matthias Siemann
Alexander Public School

Honourable Mention
Ice Melting Salts: Effectiveness and Impact
R.J. Douglas
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

SPECIAL AWARDS

BILL AND OLGA ROMAN AWARD
The “Best in fair” as judged by the exhibitors.

ATLAST
Edward Xiong
Jordan Fergani
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

BIOTECHNOLOGY AWARD
The project that best demonstrates the application of knowledge of biological systems to solve a problem, create a product, or provide a service.

Neuropsychiatric Interconnected Wearable System using CBT
Nethra Wickramasinghe
Lockerby Composite School

CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH AWARD
The best project that deals with children’s health.

Just how clean is your school?
Jacob Sintic
Emilie Lefebvre
Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

CLEAN AIR SUDBURY AWARD
Outstanding project dealing with air quality or climate change.

It’s Hip to be Square: Shaping a Solution to Waste Reduction
Adam Selalmatzidis
Northeastern Elementary School

FOUNDING MEMBERS’ AWARD
The best project that exemplifies effort and perseverance. This award honours the contributions of such founding members as Don Davidson, Ed Higgins, and others.

Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments
Brendon Matusch
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

JACK CEMING CHEMISTRY AWARD
The project must demonstrate outstanding chemistry.

Weeding Out the Secret to Antibiotic Resistance
Kerry Yang
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

TED ROGERS INNOVATION AWARD
The most outstanding project with entrepreneurial spirit and a project that demonstrated commercial potential.

Neuropsychiatric Interconnected Wearable System using CBT
Nethra Wickramasinghe
Lockerby Composite School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY BIOLOGY AWARD
The two best projects that contribute to the field of biology.

Weeding Out the Secret to Antibiotic Resistance
Kerry Yang
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY COMPUTER SCIENCE OR MATHEMATICS AWARD
The best project that contributes to the field of mathematics and computer science.

Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments
Brendon Matusch
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

BHARTI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AWARD
The two best projects that contribute to the field of engineering.

Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments
Brendon Matusch
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

ATLAST
Edward Xiong
Jordan Fergani
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY PHYSICS AWARD
The two best projects that contribute to the field of physics and biomedical physics.

Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments
Brendon Matusch
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

McEWEN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AWARD
The two projects that best demonstrate creativity and originality.

It’s Hip to be Square: Shaping a Solution to Waste Reduction
Adam Selalmatzidis
Northeastern Elementary School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ENVIRONMENT AWARD
The two best projects that contribute to the fields of environmental science, environmental studies, and/or archeology.

It’s Hip to be Square: Shaping a Solution to Waste Reduction
Adam Selalmatzidis
Northeastern Elementary School

MILMAN INDUSTRIES EQUIPMENT INNOVATION AWARD
The project that best demonstrates the importance or need for environmental consciousness as it relates to mining or other fields.

Development Of A Timed On-Demand Wireless Heated Washer Fluid System
Trevor Meek
Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

MINING INNOVATION, REHABILITATION AND APPLIED RESEARCH CORPORATION (MIRARCO) MINING AWARD
The best project related to risk assessment or mitigation in mining.

Lube G vs. Lube R
Callum Baron
Alexander Public School

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
The project that best addresses issues of environmental responsibility, and/or sustainable development.

It’s Hip to be Square: Shaping a Solution to Waste Reduction
Adam Selalmatzidis
Northeastern Elementary School

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION ENGINEERING AWARD
The project that best contributes to the fields of chemical, electrical, mechanical, nuclear, or civil engineering.

Lube G vs. Lube R
Callum Baron
Alexander Public School

MODERN MINING AND TECHNOLOGY SUDBURY AWARD
The best overall project that deals with some aspect of mining.

Lube G vs. Lube R
Callum Baron
Alexander Public School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The best overall project in the fair.

Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments
Brendon Matusch
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

CANADA-WIDE SCIENCE FAIR PARTICIPANT
Best projects in the fair.

Improving Particle Classification in Dark Matter Experiments
Brendon Matusch
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

ATLAST
Edward Xiong
Jordan Fergani
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Neuropsychiatric Interconnected Wearable System using CBT
Nethra Wickramasinghe
Lockerby Composite School

Weeding Out the Secret to Antibiotic Resistance
Kerry Yang
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Development Of A Timed On-Demand Wireless Heated Washer Fluid System
Trevor Meek
Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

It’s Hip to be Square – The Square Pizza: Shaping a Solution to Waste Reduction
Adam Selalmatzidis
Northeastern Elementary School

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.