Students participate in Canada-Wide Science Fair in Toronto May 14-21, 2011

Four students from Rainbow Schools will participate in the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Toronto from May 14 to 21, 2011.  They will be among the top young scientists in Grades 7 to 12 chosen from approximately 25,000 competitors at 100 regional science and technology fairs from across the country.

“We congratulate all winners of the Sudbury Regional Science,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “We wish our Canada-Wide Science Fair participants all the best at the national level.”

The following Rainbow students will represent Sudbury at the 2011 Canada-Wide Science Fair – Sarah MacLean, Grade 8, Algonquin Road Public School; John Dawson, Grade 8, R.L. Beattie Public School; Alana Sorgini, Grade 8, Algonquin Road Public School; and Radhika Nangia, Grade 7, MacLeod Public School.

CANADA WIDE SCIENCE FAIR PARTICIPANTS



Sarah MacLean

Grade 8

Algonquin Road Public School

Nanobots in a Virtual World


Sarah MacLean programmed virtual nanobots to move around a virtual oil storage container and eat sludge, convert it to energy, and drop the energy off at a collection point. She conducted many experiments and simulations and concluded that there were three important variables contributing to the energy output. Using her findings, she created the most effective and environmentally friendly program.

Sarah MacLean placed first in the Junior Division Computer Sciences category at the Sudbury Regional Science Fair. She also received the Laurentian University Dean of Science Award; the Laurentian University Computer or Mathematics Award for a project that best deals with mathematics or computer science, a related topic or process, or in some way contributes to the field of mathematics and computer science; the Laurentian University Engineering Science Award for the project that best deals with engineering, a related topic or process, or in some way contributes to the field of engineering; the Laurentian University Scholarship Award for the best junior project in the fair and the best intermediate project in the fair with a $1,000 scholarship to Laurentian University; the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation Stepping Stone Award; and the Mirarco Special Award for best in the fair.

John Dawson

Grade 8

R.L. Beattie Public School

Enhanced Solar Energy

John Dawson used mirrors to recapture reflected light from solar panels to maximize available rays of sunlight.

John Dawson captured First Place in Junior Division Engineering. John Dawson was the recipient of the Laurentian University Dean of Science Award. He also won the Youth Sciences Ontario Provincial Energy Ambassador Award for outstanding scientific quality with primary focus on distribution, supply management, and use of conservation of electrical energy; the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Environmental Innovator Award for demonstrating a creative approach to an environmental problem that could lead to cleaner air, land, or water; and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Innovation Award for best project demonstrating the most innovative development, adaptation, or use of technology in any subject area.




Alana Sorgini

Grade 8

Algonquin Road Public School

Transportation for the Nation

Alana Sorgini conducted a study on the common forms of transportation and their impact on the environment as well as their economy.

Alana Sorgini won first place in the Junior Division Physical Sciences category. She also received an Environmental Award for a project that deals with some aspect of land reclamation or improving water quality or other environmental issues.

Radhika Nangia

Grade 7

MacLeod Public School

Human Observation


The project was developed to find out if there is an age and gender difference in human observation. Three tests were created in which Radhika tested 36 participants between the age of 9 and 14. Each participant had to identify shapes and colours, identify images and determine differences. From this project, Radhika concluded that age and gender do not affect human observation.

Radhika Nangia placed first in the Junior Division Life Sciences category. She also captured the Child Health Award for best project that deals with children’s health or that could have an impact on children’s health.

2011 Sudbury Regional Science Fair winners from Rainbow Schools



JUNIOR DIVISION – ENGINEERING

First Place
This Project is also the recipient of the Laurentian University Dean of Science Award.
Enhanced Solar Energy Collection
John Dawson
R. L. Beattie Public School

Third Place
Special Delivery
Ty Beauchamp
R. L. Beattie Public School

Fourth Place
Robotic Colour-Blind Assistance
David Caswell
Kyle Haferer
Algonquin Road Public School

JUNIOR DIVISION – LIFE SCIENCES

First Place
Human Observation
Radhika Nangia
MacLeod Public School

Second Place
If SWIMMING were easy, would they call it HOCKEY?
Alison Cudmore
MacLeod Public School

Third Place
The Need for Speed
Sarah Herst
MacLeod Public School

Fourth Place
Fitter Better Faster Stronger
Lexi Ransom
Delaney Johnston
MacLeod Public School

JUNIOR DIVISION – PHYSICAL SCIENCES

First Place
Transportation for the Nation
Alana Sorgini
Algonquin Road Public School

Second Place
Liquefaction in Action
Taylor Emery
Lauren Wood
R. L. Beattie Public School

Fourth Place
Go Green: Which environmentally friendly laundry cleaner will remove an ink stain the best?
Kira Haller
Alexander Public School

Honourable Mention
Parachutes: Don’t be a drag
Alex Veno
Duncan Tate
Algonquin Road Public School

Honourable Mention
The Hockey Stick Challenge Wood vs Composite
Carter Grace
Patrick McLean
MacLeod Public School

JUNIOR DIVISION – COMPUTER SCIENCES

First Place
This Project is also the recipient of the Laurentian University Dean of Science Award.
Nanobots in a Virtual World
Sarah MacLean
Algonquin Road Public School

SUDBURY REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR SPECIAL AWARDS

BIOTECHNOLOGY AWARD
The project which best demonstrates the application of knowledge of biological systems to solve a problem, create a product, or provide a service.
Robotic Colour-Blind Assistance
David Caswell
Kyle Haferer
Algonquin Road Public School

CHILD HEALTH AWARD
The best project that deals with children’s health or that could have an impact on children’s health.
Human Observation
Radhika Nangia
MacLeod Public School

CHEMICAL INSTITUTE OF CANADA AWARD
The best project that deals with a chemical topic or process.
Factors Affecting Crystal Growth
Michael Hechler
Northeastern Elementary School

DENNIS ROBERTS MEMORIAL AWARD
The project which studies individual or group human behaviour, animal behaviour, or thinking/feeling processes with emphasis on adherence to ethical principles in studies with human or animal subjects.

Through the Eye of a Witness
Logan Wilkinson
Zoe Piquette
MacLeod Public School

Honourable Mention
How does colour affect blood pressure / heart rate?
Anastasiya De L’Enteigne
Emily Kerr
Lansdowne Public School

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
The project should deal with some aspect of land reclamation or improving water quality or other environmental issues
Transportation for the Nation
Alana Sorgini
Algonquin Road Public School

FOUNDING MEMBERS’ AWARD
The project which exemplifies effort and perseverance. This award honours the contributions of such founding members as Don Davidson, Ed Higgins, and others.
Bacteria: The Truth Exposed
Kaelyn Pitre
R. L. Beattie Public School

JACK CEMING CHEMISTRY AWARD
The project must demonstrate outstanding chemistry.
Sodium Bicarbonate Electrolysis
Matthew Scott
Central Manitoulin Public School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY BIOLOGY AWARD
The two best projects that deal with biology, a related topic or process or in some way contributes to the field of biology.

Natural vs. Medication
Nada Abdel-Dayem
Churchill Public School

H2 grow
Carly Roos
R. L. Beattie Public School

LAURENTIAN EARTH SCIENCES AWARD
The best project that deals with the earth sciences, a related topic or process or that in some way contributes to the field of earth sciences.
Liquefaction in Action
Taylor Emery
Lauren Wood
R. L. Beattie Public School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY COMPUTER OR MATHEMATICS AWARD SPECIAL
The project that best deals with mathematics or computer science, a related topic or process, or in some way contributes to the field of mathematics and computer science.
Nanobots in a Virtual World
Sarah MacLean
Algonquin Road Public School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING SCIENCE AWARD
The project that best deals with engineering, a related topic or process, or in some way contributes to the field of engineering.
Nanobots in a Virtual World
Sarah MacLean
Algonquin Road Public School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY FORENSIC SCIENCES AWARD
The project that best deals with forensic science, a related topic or process, or in some way contributes to the field of forensic science.
Through the Eye of a Witness
Logan Wilkinson
Zoe Piquette
MacLeod Public School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY NEUROSCIENCE AWARD
The project that best deals with neuroscience, a related topic or process, or in some way contributes to the field of neuroscience.
Hearing Is Believing
Emma Czapor
R. L. Beattie Public School

LIFELABS MEDICAL LABORATORIES
The best project in Life Sciences related to human health.
If SWIMMING were easy, would they call it HOCKEY?
Alison Cudmore
MacLeod Public School

SUDBURY MINING WEEK AWARD
The best overall project that deals with some aspect of mining.
H2 grow
Carly Roos
R. L. Beattie Public School

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION AWARD
Best application of renewable energy or electrical principles to solve a technical or practical problem in the industrial, commercial, or residential fields.

Special Delivery
Ty Beauchamp
R. L. Beattie Public School

Solar powered speed train
Thomas Wiwchar
MacLeod Public School

Home Automation: The Future of Home Energy Conservation
Connor Gran
Algonquin Road Public School

YOUTH SCIENCES ONTARIO PROVINCIAL AWARDS



ENERGY AMBASSADOR AWARD
Outstanding scientific quality with primary focus on distribution, supply management, use of conservation of electrical energy.
Enhanced Solar Energy Collection
John Dawson
R. L. Beattie Public School

ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES AWARD
Outstanding project in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Toxicology or Forensic Sciences exhibiting exemplary use of analytical laboratory methods.
Hearing Is Believing
Emma Czapor
R. L. Beattie Public School


ONTARIO MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATOR AWARD
Demonstrating a creative approach to an environmental problem that could lead to cleaner air, land, or water.
Enhanced Solar Energy Collection
John Dawson
R. L. Beattie Public School


UNIVERSITY OF ONTARIO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AWARD
The two best projects demonstrating the most innovative development, adaptation, or use of technology in any subject area.
Enhanced Solar Energy Collection
John Dawson
R. L. Beattie Public School

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The best junior project in the fair and the best intermediate project in the fair.
$1,000 scholarship to Laurentian University
Nanobots in a Virtual World
Sarah MacLean
Algonquin Road Public School


ONTARIO MINISTRY OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STEPPING STONE AWARD
This project is also the recipient of the Mirarco Special Award.
The best in fair.
Nanobots in a Virtual World
Sarah MacLean
Algonquin Road Public 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.