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HOLLAND
COLLEGE • April 29, 2003
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INSIDE |
FEATURES
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| Learning
Experience Students at the P.E.I. Provincial Science Fair are developing skills for the future  PHOTO:
Zachary Grogg, whose project was in the elementary division, talks
to his research project on telephones.By Zachary Kurylyk Surveyor Staff The gym at UPEI is crowded with students ranging in age from elementary school to high school. Some, especially the younger ones, are sprawled out in their chairs in front of their projects, waiting for the judges to come by. Others are standing and explaining their projects or running around the gym. Most have cards, video games, or books to keep them busy. A few listen to music or eat junk food. Almost all of them are talking, creating a constant hum of noise that fills the large room. Among the approximately 200 projects at this year's provincial science fair, several elementary students have constructed model volcanoes and the classic tornado-in-a-bottle project is back this year. There are several projects involving hand-washing and some high school students have constructed a robotic school bus. Different things draw different students to the provincial science fair, which features the winners of the regional competitions. Some come because their teachers or parents make them. Some are here because they want to win prizes. Some enjoy the competition. Some are here because they love to learn. And some are here because it's a habit. Jackie Sharkey and Catherine Colodey are Grade 12 students at Bluefield High School. They're science fair veterans, having been to the fair at least three times. It shows. They are both dressed for success and full of information about their project. They've researched the relationship between a cow's markings and its disposition. Sharkey said the idea came from her partner's involvement in 4-H and agriculture. "We learned something that can be applied day to day for people who work with cattle," Sharkey said. "It doesn't have any technological applications, but it will save farmers money." While Sharkey and Colodey both learned about cows through their work, they also learned other skills Sharkey said should be useful for the future, especially in university. "It really takes public speaking skills to do this, and organizational skills, without a doubt," she said. "I had to keep records of everything I did. "I can now do statistics, something I didn't know how to do before." Sharkey, who plans on taking environmental studies after graduating from high school, said she'd also be interested in continuing her research. "That would be really interesting, to pursue in my studies in university." Besides the students and their projects, there are teachers and parents scattered everywhere making sure everything runs smoothly. In the late morning, members of the public come in and wander through the projects, checking out whatever displays attract their interest, and questioning students. A few members of the media are there with cameras and tape recorders. And there are the judges. There are environmentalists in blue jeans, engineers with ties and health officials carrying clipboards walking from display to display, questioning the young scientists closely about their projects. Some judges are directly associated with the provincial fair. They decide who has the best overall projects in each age division and who advances to the Canada-wide science fair, held May 10-18 in Calgary. The majority are specialty prize judges. They represent businesses or organizations who give prizes to the students, ranging from cash awards to gift certificates. Like the students, many of the judges return to the science fair year after year, but there are always men and women interested in trying it out for the first time was well. This is Iain Galloway's first year as a judge. Galloway, an electronics design engineer with Engineering Technologies Canada, said he came this year because UPEI asked him and he decided it was a good way to help students learn about science. "I think it's important to support the growth of our scientific community on the Island," he said. Galloway said he hopes by judging, he can help students build strong scientific careers at home, like he has, instead of moving away to find work. "I think it's a shame when the kids interested in science struggle to stay on the Island," he said. "I know I struggled with that. "I think that helping here shows interest and helps keeps kids interested in science." Galloway said he didn't enter the science fair when he was in school, but he wished he had. "I went to see it when it was on, but I never participated," he said. But Galloway said his childhood interest in science led him to his profession, electrical engineering. "I definitely experimented in science," he said. .0 "I even took classes outside of school." Galloway said science fairs are an important part of teaching students about technology and research. "The trick is to keep the interest going and keep kids involved. Just like there's art classes for kids, there should be science classes for kids." Some of the kids at the fair develope such an interest in science that they start a career in technology. Ken Bernard is one of these. Bernard works with Web sites and computer technology at the GST centre in Summerside. In 1986, he took first prize at the Westisle High School science fair and advanced to the provincial fair with a computer technology project. Bernard's project involved the Commodore 64 computer system. Those early PCs had primitive methods of starting programs. Bernard's work helped them to start faster. Bernard said he learned lessons at the fair that helped him later in life. "What I learnt was that I had to prepare myself and organize my thoughts." His interest in technology growing up, including his participation in the science fair, led him to his job as a computer technician. "Everything that I've done at home using a computer contributed to my skills I have now." He said he hopes his children participate in the fair when they grow older, so they can have a strong learning base. "I want them to gain insight and have the same opportunities that I had, to enhance their development." } |
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