FOR THE first time here, a regional science fair will follow the local science fair, giving Grades 7 to 12 students the opportunity to compete for scholarships and cash prizes.
In the past, the regional fair has taken place in Smithers or Haida Gwaii because one of the teachers who organized it was from Haida Gwaii. But the teacher has since moved south, said Christine Slanz, executive director of the Northern Science and Innovation Society (NSIS), which sponsors and runs the local science fairs, which also take place in Kitimat and Prince Rupert.
Terrace students were encouraged to go to the regional science fair but for years, it was held in Smithers in the middle of the week, so it’s been Smithers’ students who win there and go on to the Canada-wide science fair, said Slanz.
It did become easier for our students to attend when it was held in Hazelton on weekends for the last two years, but this time, it will be very easy for students to participate as it will be held at Northwest Community College (NWCC).
“The judges choose up to four students in this region, who will go to the Canada wide and this year, they’re at the end of May in Lethbridge,” she said about the national fair.
Last year’s new categories have been scrapped this year as there wasn’t much interest in them and most weren’t even awarded, said Slanz.
Students who register for the local science fair, which is for students from kindergarten to Grade 12, should do so online ahead of time so organizers have an idea how many are attending, said Slanz.
When registering online, students don’t have to have a definite idea what their project will be; they can just say it’s to be decided, she added.
The NSIS annual science fair takes place here March 9 at Veritas.
The Pacific Northwest Regional Science Fair follows April 5 and 6 at NWCC.