UPEI hosts 2014 PEI Science Fair
On Thursday, April 3, more than 200 young scientists from 30 schools across the Island will come together in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on the UPEI campus to participate in the 2014 PEI Science Fair. The theme of this year's fair is 'Science Matters.' For some students, this will be their first science fair experience, but for many, it will be a return engagement. Students from grades 4-12 will showcase their science interests and abilities, and connect with other young scientists from around the province.
Once again, UPEI faculty, staff, and students have organized a ‘Science Expo' full of interesting exhibits, out-of-this-world engineering demonstrations, and other hands-on activities for the participants. ‘Let's Talk Science' will also be joining the Expo with some cool science demonstrations.
Award ceremonies will take place at 1:00 pm for grades 4-6 and at 4:00 pm for grades 7-12. Parents, family members, and friends are all invited to join in the celebration from 12:00-1:00 pm (grades 4-6) and 2:00-4:00 pm (grades 7-12). Government, industry, and community groups have donated over $10,000 in specialty prizes and awards across PEI. This year, the top five students will represent PEI at the Canada Wide Science Fair in Windsor, Ontario. For more information, check out the 'new' PEI Science Fair website at peisciencefair.ca (English), or exposciencesipe.ca (French).
More about the Science Fair
The Science Fair is a great way to engage young minds to the wonders and mystery of science. Participating in science fairs at the school level is the first real opportunity for Island students to think critically about science and get hands on experience running a science experiment. And research shows that positive science experiences at an early age can build a positive attitude towards science in the junior and high school years, and ultimately attract many to the field of science as a career. More importantly, in running a science fair project, students develop critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills that are key to being successful at school and in ones chosen career.
Last year at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Lethbridge, Alberta, all of our Island students walked away with top awards-Pieter VanLeeuwen won the Actuarial Foundation of Canada Award in the Intermediate Division; Neil Kelley and Gavin Kerr won a silver medal Excellence Award in the Junior Division; and Hailey Brake and Shruthi Bandi won a bronze medal Excellence Award in the Junior Division.
