Nechako Lakes School District 91 (SD91) science fair saw 128 students from across the district, along with participants from Eugene Joseph School, bring their best project forward on Feb. 21.
The event, held in Fraser Lake, featured a total of 86 projects, each representing the diligent efforts of young scientific minds.
Students presented their projects to a panel of judges and the public, delving into topics ranging from environmental science to robotics and everything in between.
The fair also offered interactive science activities led by Exploration Place, enriching the participants’ understanding and engagement with scientific concepts.
Amidst the array of impressive projects, top contenders emerged as finalists, earning recognition for their innovation and research.
“It was a well organized and attended event! Students enjoyed a great presentation from The Exploration Place where they built and learned about hydraulic presses when they were not presenting their own projects,” said WL McLeod Elementary School teacher Nick Meads.
McLeod had students in the top three for both grade 5 and 6 and two of the students share the 1st overall grade 5 student.
“When they were presenting they did a wonderful job showcasing their learning to a panel of judges,” Meads added.
Finalists from the District Science Fair will now head to the Central Interior Science Exhibition, to be held March 9, at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George.
For over a decade, SD91 has been a steadfast host of the District Science Fair, fostering a culture of scientific exploration and discovery among its students.
With enthusiastic participation from both elementary and secondary schools, the district has witnessed numerous students progressing from local showcases to regional, national, and even international science fairs, said Megan Bonifice, coordinator of the District Science Fair.
Last year, four students from SD91 advanced to the Canada Wide Science Fair held in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2023.
Here are the finalists from the 2024 District Science Fair:
Grade 8/9
• 1st Place : Makena Shelton (EBUS Academy) How Red Light Therapy Affects Horses
Grade 7
• 1st Place tie :
Lily Davis (Decker Lake Elementary) What’s Shaking
Brenden Crowley and Tahirah Soles (David Hoy Elementary) Are Some Trees
Cozier than Others? The Insulative Abilities of Different Tree Species and Snow for Wildlife
• 2nd Place tie:
Callie Petersen and Elencia Hazelton-Plante (Francois Lake Elementary) A Little Too Much
Jade Marshall (Francois Lake Elementary) Clean It Up
• 3rd Place: Jennifer Matson (Decker Lake Elementary) Will It Snap?
• Honorable Mention:
Breanna Mattess and Madison Felix (Eugene Joseph School) Shattering Eggs
Brynlee Oldfield (Decker Lake Elementary) A Walk Down Memory Lane
Grade 6
• 1st Place: Bean Picket (Sinkut View Elementary) Does Adding Salt to Water Change the Buoyancy of Different Objects?
• 2nd Place: Katelyn Sailer (FLESS) Airmazing Orchids
• 3rd Place: Mhuiri Hilman (FLESS) Bacteria in Your Home
• Honorable Mention: Lynden Whitwell (WL McLeod Elementary) Germ Busters
Grade 5
• 1st Place tie:
Maelle Boniface (WL McLeod Elementary) Don’t Trash It, Plant It
Samara Dhillon (WL McLeod Elementary) Ash Vs. Plants
• 2nd Place: Elizabeth Hunter (Francois Lake Elementary) Heartburn Relief
• 3rd Place tie:
Stella Mann and Brita Butchart (FLESS) Which Will Survive?
Presley Fawcett and Mie Hara (WL McLeod Elementary) What to Water and What Not to Water…That is the Question
• Honorable Mention:
Keinan Riopel and Gus Blackwell (Sinkut View Elementary) Balloon Powered Cars
Kate Hedstrom (FLESS) Ice Vs. Temperature
Lauren Khan (Sinkut View Elementary) Vanishing Clouds
Grade 4
• 1st Place tie:
Brogan Wilson and Zander Wilson (Francois Lake Elementary) Three Senses
Blake Marshall and Makalu Rollert (Francois Lake Elementary) Icy Shot
• 2nd Place: Alierah Hazelton-Plante (Francois Lake Elementary) Will It Grow
• 3rd Place: Ander Stowe and Myles Gardner (David Hoy Elementary) Testing Water Filters
• Honorable Mention: Cheyenne Leween and Jayden Seminuk-Barnes (William Konkin Elementary) Magic Candy