17 Medals and $54,200 Awarded to BC Students at Canada-Wide Science Fair

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--May 23, 2006--53 students from all across BC won 1 platinum, 3 gold, 6 silver, 7 bronze, 6 honorable mentions and 10 special awards, as well as $54,200 in awards and scholarships at this year's Canada-Wide Science Fair, held in Saguenay, Quebec, May 13, 2006-21, 2006. The students participated in a variety of categories: automotive, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, computing and information technology, earth and environmental sciences, engineering, health sciences, life sciences and physical and mathematical sciences.

Some of the winners from the Canada-Wide Science Fair competition include:

-- Lauren Cuthbertson's project, Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow: Earphone Listening Levels and Noise Exposure, from the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair, won a Platinum Award for Best Junior in the Fair, a Gold Medal, Petro-Canada Award, a Canadian Psychological Association Award, and a University of Western Ontario scholarship.

-- Sarah O'Connor's project, Grapes of Math, from the Cariboo/Mainline Regional Science Fair, received a silver medal, and a University of Western Ontario scholarship.

-- Cody ONeil and Derek Ling's project, BLASTING Influenza Viruses, from the Central Okanagan Regional Science Fair, won a silver medal and a University of Western Ontario scholarship.

-- Robyn Thom and Thomas Sun's project Poly (vinyl chloride) Bioplasticizers, from the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair, won the gold medal (multi-disciplinary category), a silver medal, a University of British Columbia scholarship, and a University of Western Ontario scholarship.

-- Kimmie Gulevich's project, Veggie Power, from the Northern British Columbia Regional Science Fair, received a bronze medal, and a University of Western Ontario scholarship.

-- Casey Banner's project Thoughts on 'Bots' 3: Quadruped Robotics from the Pacific Northwest Regional Science Fair, took home a silver medal, and a University of Western Ontario scholarship.

-- Arielle Garrett's project A Sphagnum Solution for Safe Water, from the Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair, received a Gold Medal, and a University of Western Ontario Scholarship.

Even for those students who participate but do not win, the Science Fair is considered an incredible learning experience. Just as Philip Edgcumbe of Kitslano Secondary School says, "I came to Canada-Wide for the experience and if I win anything, it's a bonus." Student participation in science fairs allows them to explore ideas and apply concepts and theories to increase their knowledge of science and technology. At the same time, students have the opportunity to hone their presentation skills and be recognized for their efforts. Ultimately, the goal of the Science Fair is to promote students to take an active interest in science and technology as a future career.

You can help support science fair students by participating in the PMC-Sierra Science Fair Fun Run on Sunday, May 28, 2006 at 9:00 am. The run starts at TELUS World of Science and winds around beautiful False Creek. All proceeds from the run go to the Michael Smith Endowment Fund to support the promotion and development of Science Fair Programs throughout the province. For more information on the run, go to: http://sciencefairs.ca/fun_run_2006/.

About the Science Fair Foundation(BC)

The Science Fair Foundation supports science education through the science fair program to foster curiosity and building for the future. The Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia (SFF BC) is a non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in February 1998 to support and promote science fair activity in British Columbia. The Foundation is committed to ensuring ongoing financial support in order to build a stronger and more visible Science Fair Program throughout the province. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit our web site at: www.sciencefairs.bc.ca.