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Press Release
January 30, 2007
Science Fairs: from Vancouver Island to Taiwan
On February 2, a Saanichton teen will board a plane for Taipei to represent Canada in the Taiwan International Science Fair. Arielle Garrett, a Grade 11 student at Stelly’s Secondary School, is one of two young Canadian scientists invited to this annual event. She will present her research on using sphagnum moss to remove metal contamination from drinking water. Arielle spent a year examining the structure of moss and how it can extract dissolved metals from water. Her study was unique because she also examined how to remove the metals for a cheap reusable filter. Her week will include a home-stay with a Taiwanese family, cultural activities, as well as judging and a public exhibition of her work. The Science Fair Foundation of BC has developed an agreement to exchange young scientists, and their enthusiasms, with this Fair. The other participant is Sarah O'Connor from the Cariboo.
A science fair veteran, Arielle Garrett has participated in six Vancouver Island Regional Science Fairs, three Canada Wide Science Fairs and was a member of Team Canada at the 2006 International Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana where she won a Fourth place in her category. Every year involved a new project that begins at school. This year she was able to look at her moss under the electron microscope at the University of Victoria.
This spring, hundreds of Vancouver Island students are preparing projects for school science fairs. They develop an appreciation for scientific research as they engage in their own discoveries, prepare displays and present their work. Arielle says: “It’s really exciting to learn that you, yourself, a kid, can find out the answers to your own questions and discover things that may be useful or important, that could make a difference in the world.” At least 100 young scientists from all schools over Vancouver Island then take part in the annual Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair at the University of Victoria. This year the Regional Fair is April 14 to 16.
The creators of the best overall projects are offered all-expense-paid trips to the Canada Wide Science Fair, this year in Truro , Nova Scotia . The CWSF brings together about 400 science-minded kids from all over Canada. It’s an exhausting week with intense judging and also time to take in the local culture, make friends and socialize. Prizes at the CWSF include medals, scholarships and cash. The Vancouver Island team usually does very well. Success at the CWSF also brings opportunities to compete to represent Canada at international fairs such as the ones in Indianapolis and Taiwan.
Contacts:
- SAYS: Rick Calderwood (President) 370-6800
- Verena Tunnicliffe (Secretary) 721-7135
- Arielle Garrett 652-5258
More information:
- Taiwan International Science Fair
- International Science and Engineering Fair
- Reader’s Digest (January 2007, page 105)
- Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair
- Science Fair Foundation of BC
