Rainbow students participate in regional science fairs

A total of 37 exhibits from Rainbow Schools will be showcased at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair taking place at Laurentian University on April 4th and 5th, 2009. The students will display their projects in the Science Cafeteria and the awards ceremony will take place in the Fraser Auditorium on April 5th. Two projects from A.B. Ellis Public School qualified for the North Channel Science Fair at École secondaire Villa Française des Jeunes in Elliot Lake on April 4th, 2009.

The students participating at the regional level captured top honours at the Rainbow District School Board’s Elementary Science Fair held on March 11, 2009, where they explored a number of interesting topics in all areas – earth sciences, the environment, engineering, research and more.

“Science fairs allow students to stretch their imaginations and problem-solve in a fun and dynamic way,” says Board Chair Judy Hunda. “It gives students an excellent opportunity to network with their peers and develop important life skills. Science fairs also promote public speaking, teamwork, presentation, preparation and critical thinking skills.”

According to Elementary Science Fair Chair Ron Hodkinson, students who invest time and effort into putting together a top-notch science fair project develop essential scientific skills that will allow them to be successful in future endeavours.

“Working on science fair projects gives students an opportunity to capitalize on their natural curiosity to inquire and learn,” he says. “Students actively engage in authentic learning when they investigate questions that are real.” He adds: “Students enhance their scientific skills and further develop interests in possible careers in the field of science.”

Chair Hunda commended students and teachers for their efforts and wished the participants at the regional level ongoing success.

The following students are participating in regional science fairs:

Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow   

Alex Mulloy and Kenny Bonder   

R.L. Beattie Public School

Phun With Photons   

Rachael Wood   

R.L Beattie Public School

The Chloro-filter   

Colin Roos   

R.L. Beattie Public School

Coloured Lights & Plant Growth   

Andrea Depaolis   

Northeastern Elementary School

Spice up Your Life   

Alex Tonelli and Chelsea Noble-Poland

R.L. Beattie Public School

From Blue Boxes to Insulation   

Nathan Johnston and Matthew Steer   

R.L. Beattie Public School

Specialty of Chia Seeds   

Rishika Passi and Zoey Wang-Yao

Algonquin Public School

What’s a Little Rain

Jacob Belanger and Connor Burgess   

Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

What’s In Your Food?   

Kayla Kelly and Isabelle MacLean   

R.L. Beattie Public School

The Story of Tree Rings   

Samantha Bajc   

Northeastern Elementary School

The Truth Behind the Heart

Emily Luong and Jackson Picard

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School

Material Matters

Connor Sanders and Spencer Young

MacLeod Public School

Does a Pulley Affect the Ability to Lift an Object

Matt Walker and Jeremy Serre   

Pinecrest Public School

ANEC: The Future of Healthy Sports Drinks

Andrew Denniston and Nicholas Taylor   

Algonquin Public School

The Science of Lying   

Bronwyn Novak   

MacLeod Public School

Global Warming Spurs Earthquakes   

Christine Zhang   

R.L. Beattie Public School

Ice Melting Alternatives

Paul Zanetti and Kurtis Naneff   

Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

Eco-Paper   

Elspeth Cudmore   

MacLeod Public School

New Light, New Fright   

Alex Bertrand and Brian Lauzon

R.L. Beattie Public School

Solar VS Wind

Joshua Semeniuk and Nicholas Houle   

A.B. Ellis Public School

Sanitizer Versus Soap   

Hilary Hancock   

Algonquin Public School

Stick Performance   

Jacob Piquette and Ryan Hunt   

MacLeod Public School

Which Brand of Battery is Best to Buy

Peter Elford   

MacLeod Public School

Oscar Biology   

Madeleine Sauve and Sarah Romani   

Alexander Public School

Spectrum Efficiency

Denver Ghent and Jade Dydyk   

R.L. Beattie Public School

C.S.I. Espanola

Jocelyn Powers and Shelby Clairmont   

A.B. Ellis Public School

Music Mania

Katie Wiwchar and Kelsey Shaw   

Alexander Public School

Bacteria Busters   

Kevin Harbottle   

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School

Continental Drift   

Nathan Meija   

Pinecrest Public School

Common Courtesies   

Danielle Provencher and Soheila Homayed   

Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

Rascals on Your Cutting Board   

Nathan Anness and Matthew Tansley   

Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

The E.Z. Glide S.R.A

Tyler Landry   

R.L. Beattie Public School

Hold The Ice   

Shawn Falardeau   

Churchill Public School

Human Energy   

Jared Manchuk and Rudy Giusti

Algonquin Public School

How Clean is Your Mouth?   

Joshua Brown   

Algonquin Public School

Electrolytes   

Connor Mick   

Wanup Public School

Can Chicks Breathe Inside An Egg?   

Sophia Byczkowsky and Hannah Stewart   

Wanup Public School

Are the Labels Lying

Caitlyn Kusnierezyh and Lauren Kyle   

MacLeod Public School

Hydrogen Fuel Cells   

Heather McLean   

Algonquin Public School

Regional Science Fair projects will be selected for the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Manitoba from May 9th to 17th, 2009. "A number of students from Rainbow Schools have had the privilege of showcasing their science fair projects at the national level," says Rainbow District School Board Chair Judy Hunda.

"In fact, three of the seven students from Rainbow Schools who traveled to Ottawa, Ontario for the national science fair last year returned home winners," she adds. "We are certainly very proud of the achievement of our students as they compete among the best of the best. The Elementary Science Fair is the first step on their journey to the nationals".

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Media Contact:

Vicki-Sue Majkot,

Curriculum Co-ordinator for Science, Technological Studies and Geography,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-523-3308, ext. 8234